Project description
FINAL PAPER PROJECT
1. First, take a look at the links of the following 14 subject areas, comprised of liberal, conservative and neutral web sources:
— The Obama Administration health care contraception mandate vs. religious freedom
–A city council’s right to affect the airwaves
–A U.S. president’s right to criticize other governmental branches
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500202_162-7340921.html
–Facebook firing
–Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen’s comments on Fidel Castro in press
–The press’ speech rights in reporting vs. sports player’s rights
— Atheists threaten lawsuits over memorial crosses at Camp Pendleton
–Arizona’s harassment law and its effects on online free speech
–Should the First Amendment be amended to limit political speech?
-Has freedom of the press gone biased?
2. Choose any two (2) of the above issues on which to write.
3. Conduct independent research via the Internet and other means. Prepare a total of thirteen (13) to twenty (20) pages for your paper. You should have between eight (8) and twenty (20) outside sources for your paper. You may go beyond these limitations if you prefer but that does not guarantee a good grade. It is quality not quantity that counts.
FORMAT: I prefer double spacing, 12-font.
Note: The Internet provides a very easy and convenient means by which to intentionally or unintentionally plagiarize. If I suspect that a student is not writing in his/her own words, the Internet makes it just as easy for me to find the source from which the material is copied. All written assignments should primarily be written in your own words. When quoting or paraphrasing from another’s work in your assignments, make sure that you give proper credit to your source using citations. Any sentences that are direct quotes should begin and end with quotation marks with proper citation to the reference from which it was taken.
Direct quotes should NOT make up the majority of your paper as this will result in significant loss of points. A general rule of thumb for course assignments: quoted or paraphrased material with cited references should not exceed 20% of an assignment; 80% of this assignment should consist of your own words, thoughts, and ideas. You are of course expected to give credit when borrowing, quoting, or paraphrasing.
A good paper should consist of:
Complete sentences.
Logical organization.
A paper free from misspelled words and run-of-the-mill grammatical errors that reflect mere carelessness.
Use of proper font(s).
Use of a proper, generally accepted format.
Citation to authorities per acceptable means.
A neatly done presentation.
Clear organization as well as transitions between paragraphs.
A clear and efficient (i.e. not wordy) writing style.
A discussion that spots legal issues, explains legal rules, applies facts appropriately to the rules, and draws logical conclusions (see web sites, handouts, textbook and required research to be done).
A discussion that includes full explanation of theories and applicable policies (see web sites, textbook, handouts and required research to be done