This assignment will require much more work and effort than the first two assignments, so make sure you give yourself sufficient time. The assignment itself is composed of a number of separate components, as follows:
First, read chapter nine in Redman, Good Essay Writing. Make sure you understand the reasons for and basic principles of referencing. Questions based on this chapter might be included in your next quiz and will certainly be included on the final examination. (NOTE: Although Redman recommends the "Harvard system," you will be required to use a different, but similar, citation system for this assignment—more on this below.)
Second, based on your proposed thesis (from assignments #1 and #2), search for and identify a minimum of FIVE scholarly sources clearly related to your central argument. Scholarly sources are not evidence per se; rather, scholarly sources are peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, or books written by academics and other professional researchers. Scholarly sources are "secondary" sources. There are a number of places to find scholarly articles, including EBSCO Host, J-STOR, Project Muse, and a range of other online databases available through the CSLA library web site. Another very important, but often overlooked source are the bibliographies contained in the articles, books, or chapters you find. Whatever source you use, you must have access to the FULL-TEXT, not just an abstract or synopsis. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT A SCHOLARLY SOURCE IS OR HOW TO FIND ARTICLES, ASK THEM VIA THE CLASS MESSAGE BOARD!
- You should make every effort to find relatively recent sources—e.g., look for articles, book chapters, etc. published after 1999. You should also make every effort to find sources written by political and other social scientists (do not select only sources written by criminal justice scholars). In addition, look for sources published in a variety of journals (do not choose all five or even three articles, for example, from the same journal). The purpose of this requirement is to get you to look at and examine a range of sources. Students who wish to do well, will take this purpose very seriously.
Third, read each of the scholarly sources you find and carefully consider how each relates to your particular argument. Consider such questions as: How do the sources help you develop your own argument? Do they provide a useful theoretical perspective? Do they give you a different insight into the topic and your argument, or do they reinforce your position? Your task is to find sources that directly contribute to your argument.
Fourth, based on your reading/evaluation of the sources you find write a short narrative that discusses how each source contributes to your argument. Be specific (rather than general or vague). "Excellent" narratives will clearly demonstrate that you have read and reflected upon each article carefully and seriously. Your narrative should be no longer than two double-spaced pages and no shorter than one double-spaced page (12 point font, standard margins).
Fifth, rewrite/revise your thesis based on your reading/evaluation of the sources you used for this assignment. There should be a meaningful change between your old thesis and your revised thesis (include your old thesis in this assignment in order to make the contrast clear).
Sixth and last, correctly and neatly compile a reference list/bibliography of the five sources (or more) you use for this assignment. You must use the Chicago style for all your references. The CSLA library provides information on the Chicago style online at: http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3chicago.pdf
Other requirements
Follow all the instructions above. Failure to complete or address any of the foregoing steps will result in a large automatic deduction. In addition, as with all your papers, you must neatly type and double-space your response. Use standard margins (no less than 1" top, bottom, left and right; and no more than 1.25" ). Your hard copy is due in class on Monday, Feb. 9.
Post your assignment on the class message board. All assignments must be posted in one place—I will create a topic on the message titled, "Assignment No. 3 Responses." Post your assignment as a "reply" to this topic. You must also retype the subject heading as follows, LASTNAME—Assignment 2 (e.g., LIM—Assignment 2). I will post an example on the message board.
Carefully proofread your assignment. I will deduct 0.25 points for each "simple" or easy-to-catch mistake. I will 0.50 points for each mistake in your reference list/bibliography.
Do you best on this (and every) assignment, rather than trying to do the minimum necessary. Minimal effort is usually obvious, and will earn a minimal grade.
ANY QUESTIONS MUST BE POSTED ON THE CLASS MESSAGE BOARD.
