As referred to above, this is your final paper. The notes about grading, are the same: If no references at all – minus 10 points; for each reference listed in the References page and not in the text of the paper or vice versa, listed in the references page and not in the text of the paper – minus 2 points; not following the guidelines – minus 5 points; not following APA style – minus 3 points; Quotes without source and/or page(s) – minus 2 points; Wikipedia or a dictionary as a reference — minus 2 points; less than 4 references — minus 3 points.
The paper will be between 3-4 pages, excluding the References page, with at least 4 scholastic references (one of the references can be the textbook); the goal is to assess the student’s ability to make a rational, logically organized and well-founded argument regarding a topic. The paper is expressly intended to be critical and analytical.
This paper will follow APA style (2 line spacing, font size 12, Times New Roman), with a title page (not included in the 3-4 pages cited above), but without the need for an abstract. Make sure that you use the guidelines for APA format and style that was discussed in class and are under Modules.
Scholastic references are from scholastic and peer-reviewed publications. Online publications must be reputable, meaning that they follow journalism’s ethical code, have fact-checkers and an editorial board. One of the scholastic references can be the recommended textbook itself. Wikipedia or only newspaper references are not acceptable; and dictionaries are not scholastic references.
Remember the grading criteria annexed to the syllabus: Introduction/thesis that grabs the interest of the reader; quality of research, meaning up to date research and knowledge of recent developments; Support of thesis and analysis making connections between evidence and thesis; Conclusion-excellent concluding ideas, that indicate the opinion of the writer based upon the evidence garnered in the sources.
Please submit in Word or PDF format. Canvas cannot open Google.docs.
Alternative topics for the final paper:
1. Reform of the justice system — is it possible and under what form? Defund movement, abolition, reform in continuity, diversification of sworn personnel, elimination of qualified immunity, better selection, moral leadership, body cameras, other means of supervision, what in your opinion can be done?
2. Women and the justice system — victims, perpetrators, and law enforcers — and today’s criminalization of the womb.
3. The criminalization of poverty — a good source for this topic is the textbook section “Social class and the law”, pp. 184-202, including references, a literature review already done
You may select another topic, but it must be cleared with me.
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