LAS 441: Urban Anthropology Nititham, Spring 2015 Final Paper

LAS 441: Urban Anthropology

Nititham, Spring 2015

Final Paper

For your final paper, you will write a case study that responds to ideas and issues raised in the readings and discussions this quarter. For this paper, you will cite at least 7 academic sources, five of which must be academic peer-reviewed publications.

Your case study will be on a topic of your choosing based on a contemporary social issue in the Chicago metro region, and how this issue intersects with social and political factors. As we cover a broad range of approaches and debates in this course, you can choose a topic that interests you. You will also reflect and suggest concrete ways to improve ideas and contentions that relate to your case study.  

In the articulation of your argument, you are expected to refer to and draw from course materials in your response and cite them appropriately. Any material quoted directly to support your discussion must be cited appropriately in APA format. If you have questions about the appropriate citation format or what constitutes an academic peer-reviewed publication, please see me. This paper will be 8-10 pages in length (excluding bibliography). Your paper should be an extension of your in-class final presentation.

Some tips:

·         Examine and explore what information is out there about your case:

o   What do other sources say?

o   Look at a combination of scholarly sources, blogs, news reports, media

o   When looking at this information, ask yourself:

§  Where is this information from?

§  What biases are in the text?

§  Is it recent?

·         What are the key issues involved?

o   How would you look at your issue through different lenses of differentiation (socially, politically, historically, economically, culturally…)

o   What layers of power and agency are there in your case?

o   What are the various cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes that underscore this case?

While I encourage you to write in a manner that is clear for you, I suggest you use the following format:

·         Introduction (.5-1 page)

·         Historical and Current Public Discourse on the Case (1-1.5 pages)

·         Scholarly Research on the Case (2 pages)

·         Key Anthropological Implications Involved (make sure this speaks to the two bullet points above) (2 pages)

·         Reflections and Suggestions (1.5-2 pages)

·         Conclusion (.5-1 page)

Grading criteria

A Range: Excellent - Went beyond the expectations of the assignment

B Range: Very Good - Went slightly beyond the expectations of the assignment

C Range:  Satisfactory - Met the expectations of the assignment

D Range: Needs Improvement - Student shows and attempts to meet the expectations of the assignment, but was unable to fulfill all requirements

F Range: Unsatisfactory - Student showed no attempt to meet the expectations of the assignment

You will be assessed according to the following criteria:

·         Paper Structure

·         Use of Evidence and Support

·         Analytical Quality

___ Paper Structure (45 points = 15%)

            -Has a clear main argument and/or core idea

-Has clear organization and logical flow

§  Introduction starts with an attention-grabbing sentence. Has the main argument in introduction.

§  Body contains main arguments and the support of those arguments. 

§  Conclusion restates the main idea and summarizes what is covered in the body of paper.

            -Pays particular attention to spelling, sentence and paragraph structure.

___ Use of Evidence/Support (75 points = 25%)

-Paper uses concrete examples to clarify and support argument. Draws on course and external readings to substantiate claims made in your essay.

-Engages in discourse rather than simply asserting or affirming opinion.

- Uses effective in-text citations, mix of quotes and proper paraphrasing. Maintains consistent APA citation style and reference page

- Complete list of all sources referenced in the paper

- At least 5 out of 7 references are academic peer-reviewed publications

___ Analytical Quality (180 points = 60%)

-Analysis reflects a depth of understanding of relevant principles and issues discussed in class lectures, readings, and outside research.

            -Pay particular attention to spelling, sentence and paragraph structure.

Total: 300 points