Poli 202: Introduction to Political Thought- Research Paper Assignment

Poli 202: Introduction to Political Thought-
Research Paper Assignment

Poli 202 Research Paper Assignment

Poli 202: Introduction to Political Thought-

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Research Paper Assignment

Assignment: In this assignment you will choose one of the topics below and write a research paper on it. Please note that the questions are intentionally broad, and it will be up to the student to narrow down the topic. Your paper must have a central thesis that you are arguing (Though please note that, in a theory paper, your central thesis might take several forms, including questions of interpretation). While the paper will focus on texts and thinkers from the class, you will also be expected to incorporate secondary sources, including scholarly books and journal articles. If you have any concerns about how to conduct research, you should consult the university librarians, the university’s writing centre, or talk to the professor or your TA. The paper is due on Dec. 2nd at the beginning of class.

Format: The essay will be 2000 words, in double spaced, 12-point times new roman font. Please include a word count at the end of the essay. Any paper without a word count will not be marked.

Citation Policy: You must maintain a proper citation format. If you have any concerns about how to properly cite material, you should consult a style-guide or contact the university’s writing centre. Please note that you must cite all information that is taken from another source, not just information which is directly quoted. This means that if you are paraphrasing material from a journal article or book chapter you must cite it. Citations mean a footnote, endnote or in-text citation (including page number) every time you take material from another source (i.e. just having a single bibliographic entry is not enough). Failure to do so will constitute plagiarism. Again, if you have any concerns over what might constitute plagiarism, consult the university’s plagiarism guidelines (http://web.uvic.ca/calendar2014-09/FACS/UnIn/UARe/PoAcI.html) or talk to the professor.

Questions

• Compare and contrast the role that gender and/or race plays in two of the thinkers we have studied.

• One of the repeated themes of the course has been the question of democracy, or popular sovereignty. Pick two of the thinkers we’ve studied, and compare and contrast how they conceive of popular involvement in politics.

• One of the major issues that citizens have turned to political theory for guidance on is the question of obedience to the state. When must we obey the state’s dictates, and when is it allowable to follow our own conscience? Choose two of the thinkers that we have studied, and compare and contrast the way that they engage with this question.

• Compare and contrast how two of the thinkers we have studied conceive of “liberty” or “freedom”. What would a person’s life have to be like for us to consider them “free”? What would a state have to be life for us to consider it a “free” state”?

• Pick a contemporary political issue, and describe how two of the thinkers we have studied would evaluate it. Please note that should you choose this option, you must have your topic approved by the professor. You must have the professor’s approval by November 18th. If you haven’t done so by then, you must choose one of the other topics.

• A topic of your own choosing comparing and contrasting two of the authors we have read. Please note that should you choose this option, you must have your topic approved by the professor. You must have the professor’s approval by November 18th. If you haven’t done so by then, you must choose one of the other topics.