Paper proposal should include a preliminary reference list 2-3 references. Comparing Poland to any other post-Communitst state in two or three public policy areas.
A good answer will include the following:
1. An introduction in which you state the question you are answering.
2. A clear, concise statement of your basic argument(s).
State this in general terms, using concepts encompassed in the question.
Do Not use your examples to make your arguments for you.
3. Examples from actual countries or event(s) to support your argument. These should be used to support or demonstrate your argument to the reader. Be Specific.
4. A conclusion in which you summarize the main points that you discussed in the body of your paper.
You should focus on making a clear and concise argument. Length is not the point, quality is more important. Include only what is relevant to making and proving your argument; what you write should be guided by your argument.
Using the country your and any other post-communist state in Central or Eastern Europe, or from the former Soviet Union, analyze the politics surrounding two (2) or three (3) of the following issues:
economic reform;
political reform (this could include constitutions, legislatures, electoral laws, etc.)
immigration and refugees;
environmental policy (in general or focus upon one particular political problem);
religious conflict (including clerical/anti-clerical issues, Christianity vs. Islam, etc).
Corruption (including bribery, embezzlement, undue influence, etc.)
Ethnic conflict
Gender equality or issues.
You should lay out what you are going to compare in both countries and why you chose those public policy areasthe research question and answer should appear in the first paragraph of your paper. If I cannot figure out what your basic question and answer are, it is not a good research paper.
You should develop the theoretical basis for your argumentwhy is this a plausible answer to your question?
Be sure to define any important concepts you are using (e.g. political transition encompasses)
Provide as much empirical evidence as possible to support your argument. Remember that the credibility of your sources can affect the persuasiveness of your argument.
The strongest arguments will also consider evidence against their position and either refute it or explain why it is not relevant.
You must have at least 10 sources. Your bibliography must include at least 1 sources from each of the following categories: books, professional/scholarly journals, media reports (includes newspapers, news magazines), and websites pertaining to your country, the region or the issue area.
For specific guidelines for different types of sources (books, journals, etc.) see: http://writing.colostate.edu/references/sources/chicago/index.htm (Links to an external site.) (be sure to follow the links for the author-date system).
Grades will be calculated on the basis of five criteria:
Focus: does the paper clearly and consistently address the research question.
Development: is the argument clearly developed and supported using empirical evidence throughout the paper?
Coherence: is the paper well-organized and presented clearly? In other words, are your arguments and examples clear to the reader?
Documentation: are the sources clearly identified and fully documented in the appropriate style?
Editorial elements: is your grammar, spelling, and word usage correct.
This is just a proposal.
You will be writing a 8-10 page paper later on with a minimum of 10 sources.
