ENG 102 Research Paper: “trickster” archetype

Student Papers Instructions

1. Topics: During the term we will read, examine, discuss, and write about works related to world mythology. At specific times during the semester (due dates in the course outline section of this syllabus), students are required to turn in a full 3-5 page critical analysis paper (no less than 3 full pages and no more than 5 full pages or the score will be lowered). These must be submitted to the correct location and in the correct format on Bb before the due date/time listed in the course outline. There are several handouts on Bb that explain the assignments in further detail. In general, the task for each paper is to choose one work from contemporary culture that explores specific ideas from our studies of world mythology. Students must choose a work from the humanities created during the 20th or 21st-century (film, published works [books or comics], theater, art, music, or performance arts. The paper is an examination of the “trickster” archetype. 

2. Each student review paper must be a critical examination of the focus work chosen by the student that matches the assigned topic. It must include the following, with 1 to 1½ pages for each section of the paper: (1) what was the author’s purpose in creating the work and did they properly achieve that goal, (2) critique the content by analyzing one specific aspect of what you have read/examined (chose one theme/motif/or symbol that is prominent in the work), and (3) relate the work to your life and/or society today. If you are having trouble with #3, please look at the theme or motif you chose again, themes and motifs are the universal ideas from the work that we can relate to ourselves, in some way. The overarching goal of the student paper is to assess the author’s ability to express and explore the major concepts presented in the work, and to provide your opinion of the work. Students are required to include at least three reliable sources for each paper: the source work you are examining and two supporting pieces of research. Students are required to cite passages from the source work you are examining and the two other research sources to support your critique but, please avoid long and/or excessive quotation. You must use either MLA or CMS for your in-text citations and quotations, and for your bibliography. 1-2 citations per page is required. You must include a bibliography at the end of the paper, on a fresh page, by itself, and properly formatted please (you must use a style guide and follow it correctly [MLA or CMS]).

3. Format: All written work for the course must follow this format: 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with 1” margins on all sides, in black font for the color, with page numbers with your last name in the top right corner (e.g Smith 1). Please provide a full label, on the first page only, before beginning your paper and place it in the top left corner (full name, course and number, which paper topic it is, and the title of the focus work you are examining). All course documents must be submitted to the correct locations on Bb in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) ONLY to ensure the professor can open and read them (if it is not in one of these two formats, or if it is turned in to the wrong location, it is automatically a “0 F