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• Course Description
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• Research Paper
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• CALENDAR and READINGS
• - I Europe / Russia
• - II Africa / L. America
• - III SW Asia / S Asia
• - IV East Asia / SE Asia
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Research Paper

Products:

• 1) 1,000 - 1,200 word paper (text only - reference list not included)
• 2) Why it matters statement
• 3) Which way forward statement (optional)
• 4) A thematic map

1a) The paper - Content (25 pts)

The paper should address at least one or two topical points that we focus on in this class, including politics, economics, demography, environment, or culture. It is advised that you focus one of these issues within a single country within your region. The best papers are those that analyze a problem or issue in depth, and bring various perspectives into the analysis.

The paper may use web sites, newspaper articles or popular magazines (e.g. National Geographic or TIME) as sources, but it must cite 2-3 books or peer reviewed journal articles as well.

Many of the SSU library's peer reviewed journals are available through on-line databases. Ask the reference librarians for help to access these.

It is common knowledge that the library will not have all of the books that you may need on hand. It is your responsibility to start early enough so that you can use our inter-library loan services to get what you need.

1b) The paper - Format, Grammar and Style (5 pts)

Paper margins: 1 inch.

Line spacing 1.5 spacing (NOT double)

Reference Style: Chicago / Turabian (Parenthetical References (PR) and Reference List (RL) Style -- NOT Notes-Bibliography Style. Follow the examples provided by the library. Papers without proper citations within the text will be returned ungraded. The student will have 2 days to make corrections, but 20% will be docked from the overall paper grade.

This is a research paper, NOT an opinion piece. NEVER use the first person. Any sentence that is not directly cited is assumed to be your opinion or assessment of the issue.

Plagerism is NOT hard to detect, and will result in an automatic 0 in the overall paper grade.

Correct grammar, spelling, and organization are extremely important. A paper with more than a few mistakes will loose the 5 pts. Make use of the Writing Center.

2) Why it matters statement (5 pts):

Using the Christian Science Monitor as an example, include a statement that puts your paper topic in its broader regional or global context.

Explain why/how your paper topic may impact the broader region. Or, explain why/how your paper topic illustrates trends or patterns in the broader region.

As the Chrsitan Science Monitor does, use some type of formatting to delineate this statement (different font, color, box with lines -- something)

3) Which way forward statement:

If your paper topic allows, include a statement that outlines various scenarios as to how the issue may play out in the future.

Again, use some type of formating to delineate this statement -- using the Christian Science Monitor as an example.

4) The map (5 pts):

The map must show your region of study and a THEMATIC issue of importance in your paper. Thematic maps include:

• Agricultural zones
• Dominant ethnic groups
• Economic indices
• Deforestation
• Population density
• Dominant political affiliation
• Migration flows
• etc etc.

You must refer to the map in the text. Somewhere in the body of the paper, you will discuss the issue that is represented in the thematic map. At the end of the sentence in which you discuss that issue, simply write: (see map).