The Midterm Paper Guidelines Posted on: Friday, October 15, 2021 2:58:14 PM EDT The midterm paper guidelines: How to structure a memorable theory review Text: Use the guidelines below to structure your review of Weber’s and Marx’s theories. Length: Question 1: What is a state and how to improve it according to Weber? Your review of Weber’s theory should be no less than 450 words and no more than 500 words (like a food review, a movie review, a book review). Question 2: What is a state and how to improve it according to Marx? For example, this document has about 400 words. The length equates to 3 sections (1. Set the Stage; 2. Deliver a theory review; 3. Wrap Up the Takeaway) House Style: the aim of this course is to increase your engagement with the great thoughts and spread these ideas among your friends. Your review should be written with that audience in mind using simple and clear sentences. Use only your words and Weber’s quotes, no secondary texts and authors. Use at least 2 quotes per each author to support your argument (2 quotes from Weber and 2 quotes from Marx). These quotes should be ONLY from the assigned readings from blackboard. Indicate the page number, so I can verify the quote with the text. Deadline: Please send your review in a Word document to my email saglar.bougdaeva@csi.cuny.edu using your university email on the 1st of November by 11.59pm. Question 1: WHAT IS A STATE AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT (ACCORDING TO WEBER)? 1. Set the Stage (3-4 sentences; do not waste your limited number of words on any biographical information) Open the review with an enticing sentence that promises an interesting payoff (whether delicious or dreadful). 2 Deliver Weber’s Theory of a State – “What is a state and how to improve it?” What was Weber’s theory of a state? Avoid vague words and phrases like “The idea was bad” or “The theory was great.” Instead, provide specific details about what was “cooking” in Weber’s mind behind the invention of the formula of a “State.” What were the key ingredients (examples: force, violence, legitimation or justification of power/rule)? What was Weber’s proposal to improve a society/state (social change (revolution, reform) or social order)? Carefully select a few punchy quotes for your descriptions—too few will leave your writing bland, too many and long will bog it down. 3 Wrap Up the Takeaway (4-5 sentences) End with a punchy summary of how Weber’s thoughts are applicable to our today’s lives and why you think other students should (or shouldn’t) explore Weber’s thoughts. Question 2: WHAT IS A STATE AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT (ACCORDING TO MARX)?
