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Issue Paper due 4/12/07
The object of this paper is to explore a controversy or important issue in
Psychology of Women using scientific research and logic. It is
particularly important in this paper to separate what we want to
be true from what is true. You should choose a topic that you
find interesting, but one about which you are confident you can truly consider
multiple points of view.
Topic suggestions (provided to get you thinking):
- Politically correct language police vs the effects of sexist
language
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Do prenatal hormones shape behavior?
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PMS, neglected medical problem, or socially constructed phantom?
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Why is there more pressure on women to look good than there is on
men?
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Do men and women have different goals and expectations in
love relationships?
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Women are still under-represented in high status
professions. Is that a problem? What if anything should we do
about it?
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Is there a motherhood mandate? If not, why do 85% of
women become mothers?
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Are women less sexual than men?
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Are women more likely than men to be victims of
violence? less likely to act violently? Why?
Paper Requirements:
All papers are to have a professional appearance. They are to
be typed and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Papers
should be about 1250 words long (5 pages). You must use a
variety of different sources, the equivalent of 5 journal
articles. Most articles in the popular press count as less than 1
source. Cite your sources using APA style. HELP!
I don't know APA style
Begin by introducing the topic, explaining why it is a
controversy and its relevance to Psychology of Women.
Explain the different points of view in the controversy and
the relevant evidence in detail.
Summarize the points of view. If you have formed a conclusion
of your own, state it and state how you came to your conclusion.
If you have not formed a conclusion of your own, say why not. Do
you need more information? If so, what questions remain in your
mind?
Annotated Bibliography Due 3/22
20% of the Issue paper grade will be based on the Annotated
Bibliography. This is a list of all sources you are planning to use
in your paper with a 2 paragraph description of the source and how it is
relevant to your paper.
Begin with a thesis statement that meets the objectives of the paper
(see the first paragraph of the assignment).
Cite the source using APA style. Follow this with a 1-2 paragraph
description of the source and its relevance to your paper.
Grading: 20 points maximum per source based on the quality and
relevance of the source. |
Issue Paper Grading:
Grading Rubric
Source Quality: You can't make a silk
purse from a sow's ear. A good paper cannot
be written from poor sources. Use me as a resource at any point in your paper. I’m glad
to help. I may have relevant articles in my office.
| Exceeds Expectations |
Psychology Journals only |
| Meets Expectations |
In- depth articles in the New York
Times, news magazines , or Psychology Today and at least 1 Journal
article |
| Approaches Expectations |
Brief articles in the New York
Times, news magazines, or Psychology Today |
| Does Not Approach Expectations |
.com sources with no author
or references |
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Relevance |
Thoroughness |
Insight |
Writing/mechanics |
| Exceeds Expectations
100%
|
Topic is complex and allows for
multiple points of view; topic is clearly related to Human Development |
Sources represent a variety of
points of view, and include the results of scientific research; each is
fully described; information from the textbook is integrated into the
paper |
Conclusion demonstrates thought and
reflection; a synthesis of information from various sources is evident |
Consistently follows rules of
standard English; Writing is organized, clear and coherent; Sources
cited using APA style correctly in text and in Works Cited |
| Meets Expectations
75%
|
Topic has at least 2 points of view;
is related to Human Development |
Sources represent at least 2 points
of view and are of high quality (describe scientific research,
provide strong logic and evidence; avoid anecdotes); each source is
described; the textbook is used in the analysis |
Conclusion is logical and follows
from information presented in the paper |
No major errors in English usage;
Organized for readability; Sources cited using APA style |
| Approaches Expectations
50%
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Topic is "encyclopedic"
(there is only one point of view to have); relation to Human Development
is tangential |
Sources represent only one point of
view or are simplistic (simply listing information and not providing
sources, logic, or contradictory points of view); the textbook is
mentioned, but not used in the analysis |
Conclusion does not follow from
information presented or reflects no new thought |
Significant errors in English usage;
some organizational problems; Citations are inadequate |
| Does Not Approach Expectations
0
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Topic is "encyclopedic";
topic is not related to Human Development |
Sources represent only one point of
view and are simplistic; the textbook is not used |
Conclusion is weak, unclear, or
illogical |
Multiple significant errors in
English usage; poorly organized; fails to cite sources; is not stapled |
Many students do not realize the seriousness
of plagiarism. Writing about complex material is
difficult, and often it seems that the author has
said it so well that your own words will be
inadequate. There are however two important
reasons for doing it the hard way. 1. If you
can’t put something in your own words, it
usually means you don’t understand it yet.
If you don’t understand it, it has no
business in a paper you are writing. Please see
me for help understanding difficult articles. 2.
Plagiarism is theft. It can result in an
"F" for the assignment, being dropped
from the class, or even dismissed from school.
Take notes as you read your sources and then leave the sources
behind. Use your notes to write your paper.
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