JUSTICE IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LIFE

TERM PAPER POINTERS

 

 

            1.  Topics.  You should begin thinking about a topic for your term paper as soon as you get a feel for the scope of the course.  I will suggest a number of topic areas from you which may choose, but you always have the option to come up with one on your own. The objective is to increase your knowledge and discursive ability in a particular segment of course.

 

            2.  Proposals.  When you have finally decided on the topic you choose, you should then prepare an outline which should be submitted not later than the Class of March 5.  A form of an acceptable outline is distributed with this memorandum.  You will note that it is an outline for a paper arguing for a modification or repeal of a significant part of the drug interdiction laws presently in force.  It is not intended to suggest a topic to you, but to give you an idea of the kind of information I would like your outline to include, at a minimum.  If you wish to expand the outline to include more detail, that will assist me in helping you to write a better paper.

           

            3.  Approach.  Many of many students ask whether you are to be neutral and present all arguments on the many sides of an issue, or should you argue for a particular position or point of view.  The choice is yours, and a superior paper can be done using either approach.  If you adopt a position in favor or against a particular point of view, you will find that you are necessarily dealing with the opposing points of view as well.  This is because in order for your paper to be persuasive on the point of view you adopt, you must describe the opposing position and show why it is inferior to the position you support.  Either way, you will end up by examining all the cogent arguments, if your paper is successful.

           

4. Structure.  In each case, you should research and set forth the historical context of the issue, concentrating on the developments of the last half of the 20th century.  Assuming your topic is addressed in the text (and almost all of the topics will be in this category), the text, endnotes and bibliography should give you a good start on this research.  You do not have to begin necessarily with a “history” section; you may instead weave the historical threads into the fabric of your argument.  Your decision about that should be governed by the style with which you feel most comfortable.  So long as your paper demonstrates a good understanding of the historical context of the issues you address, that will suffice.  Your exposition of the issues, and your arguments about them should be supported by “good reasons.”  What constitutes a good reason is not easy to define comprehensively.  However, at the least a good reason incorporates logic, consistency, a foundation in generally accepted views about our social contract, the interests of the parties involved and the furtherance of some policy that is believed to result in the overall benefit of humans in our society.  Obviously, not all of these criteria can always be satisfied without internal contradiction.  To the extent you find yourself trapped in a contradiction, try to explain why it does not invalidate your argument or why, on balance, the contradiction is otherwise acceptable.  For example, justice is often thought to be incompatible with utilitarian objectives of the greatest benefit for the greatest number.  In many cases, justice requires (according to Rawls, for example), a guarantee that the least advantaged among us not be disadvantaged by some proposed action.  So a policy such as a health care plan that did not make provision for the indigent children of the country might very well be for the benefit of most Americans, but would not satisfy the requirements of Rawlsian justice.

 

            5.  Length.  As I have indicated in class, a paper longer than 20 pages is probably not feasible for this course.  On the other hand, one shorter than 10 would probably not give you an opportunity to make a successful argument or exposition of your topic.  So, I think that you should consider a 15 page paper, including your notes and bibliographic references as your target length.  A page or two over or under is not fatal.  Substance is the objective, not considerations of length.  If you find yourself at twenty pages and are satisfied that you have edited it reasonably well, then by all means use it.  You will not be penalized because you are a good, prolific writer.  Do not, however, unnecessarily pad the paper with elaborate title pages, tables of contents or other front matter.   And please… submit only the paper held together by a corner staple.  DO NOT USE plastic covers, notebooks or other materials; they just get in the way of my reading and commenting on your paper.

 

            6.  Style.  Be yourself.  Write in your own voice.  Do not try to imitate jargon or what seems to be the modish way of talking about your topic.  Plain English, simple and direct is preferred.  Use a stylebook as your guide for format, grammar, punctuation and citation of sources.  MLA is ok, or the Chicago Manual of Style, or Kate Turabian’s Style Manual or The New York Times Style Book.  Any widely used style book is fine, so long as you are consistent in your usage.

 

            7.  Evaluation.  Your paper will count for about 60% of your total evaluation.  Allowing a total of, say, 60 points for the paper, I will award 20 for historical context, 25 for issues and argument, 10 for evidence of good research and 5for style, grammar, spelling and punctuation.  These are approximations, but should give you a feel for the way to spend most of your efforts. For details of point allocation, see the last slide in the referenced hyperlink: TermPaperPoints

 

            8.  Drafts.  I am more than happy to review and comment on a draft of your paper.  I want you to succeed.  Please do not hesitate to call or email me with questions as you proceed in your work.