Suggested Length: 6-8 pages, double-spaced, 10-12 point font, normal margins.
Introduction: Briefly introduce your topic, the question you are going to try to answer in your paper, and why its an important question to answer (most of this can be taken directly from your thesis statement).
Theory: Use at least one theoretical perspective or concept from our readings to guide your discussion. It is important to emphasize that this theory or concept must come from our class readings. Some examples include:
DeGenovas deportability theory
Jungs theory of blackness
Stumpfs crimmigration thesis
Bells argument about the permanence of racism
Chavezs theory of the Latino Threat Narrative
Collins intersectional explanation of the family
McWhorters theory of the intersections of race and sexuality
You can use this theory/concept to explain your topic or you can critically evaluate this theory/concept in light of other perspective youve learned about from sources youve found through your own research.
Core Discussion: Provide a more detailed discussion of your topic which can do any combination of the following:
Describe important features of the policy and legal history surrounding this issue
Describe different approaches that have been used to manage or solve the problems that are associated with this topic
Discuss some of the most important socioeconomic, cultural and/or political factors that have shaped these problems (which can include the intersections of race, class and gender/sexuality).
Important: You can incorporate your theoretical framework into this discussion. The theoretical framework and the discussion of your topic do not have to be organized into separate sections.
Sources and Supporting Examples: You should support your discussion with examples from at least 3 academic readings (books/book chapters or journal articles) that are directly relevant to your topic.
At least 2 of these readings must be sources that you found on your own (using Healey Library online database) which do not come from the class reading list.
You should use 2 examples from each of your sources to support your discussion (3 sources X 2 examples each = a minimum of 6 example in all).
Important Note About Sources: You should cite a minimum of 4 sources for this paper.
3 Research sources that are directly relevant to your topic
(2 of which you must find on your own)
1 Theory source which must come from our class readings.
Conclusion: Provide a concluding discussion that summarizes the main points from the body of your paper and your recommendations for change. This can be a big picture discussion that explores a new way of thinking about society, social membership, and punishment or a more practical discussion about directions for criminal justice or immigration reform (or a little of both).
Citing Sources: Make sure to use a parenthetical citation style whenever you reference information (paraphrased or a direct quote) in the body of your paper and provide full citation info for all of your sources in a bibliography at the end of your paper.
