The first written assignment is worth 20 percent of the final course grade.
Please answer one of the questions listed below, or an alternative agreed with me.
The assignment should be 1400-1600 words long (not counting the bibliography and citations), typed, double-spaced,
and justified, and include the question answered, a bibliography of all sources used, and page numbers. The text and
file name should include the question or topic, but, in order for me to grade it anonymously, not your name.
In preparing your assignment, I recommend that you return to the materials provided for the relevant classes, the
guidance questions on them, the forum posts and annotations of readings, the class recordings, and your class notes.
No further research is expected or recommended.
The grade for your assignment will be based on three main criteria: how well you explain relevant ideas and arguments,
how thoroughly and insightfully you discuss them and support your answer to the question, and how precisely and
logically you present your answer. So, an assignment that accurately and thoroughly explains relevant ideas, arguments,
and information, discusses them in reflective and analytical ways and in support of a clear answer to the question, and
presents all of this precisely and logically will receive an “A” grade. If the assignment explains some relevant ideas,
arguments and information accurately, provides some thoughtful discussion and a clear answer to the question, and is
generally clearly expressed and organized, it will receive a “B” grade. A “C” grade assignment will be one that attempts
to answer the question and provides some account of relevant ideas, arguments, and information, but fails to explain
them accurately and fully, gives little discussion, and/or is unclearly expressed and organized.
Since written work is a significant part of the course assessment, particular attention will be given to your basic writing
skills and to your ability to develop and structure arguments in writing. For this reason, I recommend that you discuss a
draft of your assignment with a tutor in the Writing Center.
The assignment must be submitted through the assignment link on Moodle by the deadline above. Late submission will
be penalized with a 10 point deduction from the assignment’s percentage grade for each day (or part of day) of
lateness.
Your assignment will be analyzed by the plagiarism prevention service, turnitin.com. Academic dishonesty will be
punished with a zero grade for the assignment or for the course as a whole.
