Your first assignment asks you to choose one of the required readings from our course reading list from either weeks 3 or 4. I want you to pick one that is especially interesting to you, and read it closely (you are welcome to choose a reading from the optional ‘supplementary’ readings for the course if there is one that piques your interest – it’s up to you). Take notes, write down your thoughts.
You will write a 3-4 page paper (12 pt. font 1.5 line-spaced, roughly 1200 words or so, 100 above or below that is fine) in which you will:
1. Introduce the key topic of the paper; briefly summarize what the article is about (1-2 paragraphs);
1. What does the article set out to do?
2. What are the main concerns of the author?
1. Outline the central argument(s) in the article
1. What is the central argument? Are there specific hypotheses?
2. Are there gaps in the literature/knowledge on this topic that the author seeks to fill?
3. What are the central concepts the author introduces? How does the author define these? Are they clearly defined?
4. Are there specific methods or case study used to explore the authors’ main claims? How do they use these to support their argument?
1. Analyze and discuss the content of the article (this is the most important part of your paper). Some of the questions you might want to answer are:
1. How convincing is the author in their argument?
2. What questions does the article raise for you?
3. Do you think that there are ideas, issues or questions that the author ignores or leaves out?
4. Is the article biased? How or why?
