The goal of the final research paper is to help you delve more deeply into an aspect of the course that interests you deeply.
The paper consists of several steps.
The first step is to choose a topic that is directly related to colonialism and sexuality. The paper must be informed by and make use of theories learned in this class: postcolonial theory, decolonial theory, and epistemologies of the global south. To make sure a paper topic and approach are appropriate for this class, please ask the professor during office hours.
The second step is to use the library to read extensively about your topic.
Third, you should decide exactly what you will argue and how you want to structure your paper. It is a good idea to discuss this in office hours with your professor.
For your final paper you must cite at least three materials from the course syllabus (readings, films, etc.). You should use a minimum of five additional academic secondary sources. Your paper should be approximately 8 pages long (excluding the bibliography), double-spaced and in 12 point font, with a title, headings and possibly with subheadings. Please number all pages. The entire paper including the bibliography should be properly formatted.
Additional Information:
1. Argument:
If you are struggling to develop an argument, claim or thesis for your paper, you might want to rehearse one of the rhetorical gambits below (in the Familiar Arguments section). Once you decide on a workable argument or claim, declare it in your paper in clear, succinct prose in the opening paragraph(s).
Familiar Arguments:
Scenario #1: No one has written about my topic. Despite this scholarly neglect, my paper explains the significance of my research topic and offers a provisional interpretation of this new material.
Scenario #2: A few scholars have written about my topic, but gaps and deficiencies in the literature still exist. My paper examines new or different evidence to correct these shortcomings.
Scenario #3: Many scholars have written about my topic. Despite this attention, my paper calls for a reassessment of the existing literature based on recent findings, new methodologies, or original questions.
2. Outline:
If you are finding it difficult to create an outline for your paper, you might consider the following as a model:
INTRODUCTION
a. State the topic, argument, claim, thematic axis or objective(s) of your study
b. Provide a brief literature review (i.e., a review of what other scholars have written on or near your topic)
c. Contextualize your topic
2. PRESENTATION OF YOUR FINDINGS/ANALYSIS
a. This could be divided into subsections.
3. CONCLUDING REMARKS
4. BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES CITED (see III)
3. Bibliography
For the bibliography, if you have a major, please use the manual of style for your major for citations and bibliography. If you do not yet have a major or if you have an interdisciplinary major, you might consult the library’s information on Style Sheets for Citing Resources:
Examples & General Rules for MLA, APA, & Chicago & Turabian Styles at: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html
You may choose any one of the styles (MLA, APA, & Chicago & Turabian Styles). The important point is to be consistent.
See also: Information from: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/citations.html
Here is the grading break down for the final paper:
Please note that the paper must be on a topic directly related to our course. If it is not, unfortunately we cannot accept it for this course.
1. Construction of the Topic, Argument, Claim, Thematic Axis: The topic, argument, claim, thematic, must be do-able in 8 pages. The paper must be original. It must flow logically and properly. These elements are worth 15 points or 50% of final paper grade.
The breakdown of the 15 points is as follows:
* The paper has a clear topic, argument, claim, thematic axis in the realm of colonialism and sexuality. 5 points.
*The paper sustains its topic, argument, claim, or thematic axis throughout. 5 points.
* The paper flows logically. 5 points.
2. Quality of Analysis. Do you sustain your arguments well? Do you use and cite a minimum of three references on the course syllabus and a minimum of five outside secondary sources? This aspect of the grading criteria is worth 10 points.
The breakdown of the 10 points is as follows:
* The paper addresses topics in the course very well. 2 points.
*The paper makes appropriate arguments. It does not read like a general essay or op ed. It sustains its arguments well. 4 points.
*To inform its analysis the paper makes excellent use of three sources from the syllabus. 2 points.
* To inform its analysis the paper makes excellent use of a minimum of five secondary academic sources not on the syllabus. 2 points.
3. Structure and Format.
The paper needs to be well structured and well written. It should be 8 pages long excluding the bibliography. The bibliography can be in any formal academic style but needs to be consistent. This aspect is worth 5 points, divided as follows:
* The paper is 8 pages long, has appropriate subtitles, section division, paragraphs, page numbers, and grammar. 2 points.
* The paper’s bibliography and in text citations are done in proper format. 2 points.
* The paper’s text flows well. 1 point.