Using (required) readings from "Power," "Interest Groups," and "Social Movements," compare and contrast research traditions and theories to explain the path and predict the end-result of the 2012 Federal Budget process.
Topics you should address include:
A satisfactory paper--i.e., a 'C' paper--will
An excellent paper--i.e., an 'A' paper--will
The idea of this paper is to show how two research traditions would approach or examine the 2012 Federal Budget process generally, and to use a theory from within each tradition to explain the 2012 Federal Budget process specifically. Use the 2012 Federal Budget process as a case to show similarities and differences between the approaches of two research traditions, and between various theories. Choose your theories wisely. For example, do not choose a theory that is extremely difficult to apply (or does not apply at all). Choose your research traditions and theories so that you can show me your erudition in understanding the research traditions and theories inside and out (internal logic of the tradition and theory, and external application).
You may use more than two theories or research traditions, but it is not recommmended: Do not sacrifice quality for quantity. As in most essays of this type, relatively different research traditions and theories are more interesting than relatively similar.
Include a clear thesis statement (primary argument) that guides the structure of paper. The thesis statement is usually presented along with an outline of the paper in the introductory paragraph.
Your arguments should be clear, well-stated, and analytical. Clear arguments do not include internal contradictions or leave questions unanswered. Arguments using logic show how one thing implies another. Arguments using evidence produce specific examples, citations of other work, etc. The arguments all relate to and support contention of the thesis. The arguments are not overstated; exceptions or qualifications are acknowledged.
Quality writing is usually correlated with how much time is taken to edit the paper (or how many drafts are written). Samuel Johnson said/wrote: “What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” The BYU Writing Center has also recently published a writing guide that has suggestions.
Use an academic style of writing, not a journal entry, or letter home, or an angry blog entry: no exclamation points, no contractions, no worthless adverbs (e.g. completely, definitely, honestly, hopefully, incredibly, really, very, etc.). Refrain from excessive personalization. It is not necessary to begin sentences with phrases such as “I think that,” “I feel that,” “I suspect that,” and “I [would] argue that”: Every sentence in a paper could begin with such a phrase. It is assumed that every sentence you write is your thought or argument. These phrases only need to be used in a paper if you mean to say, “I assert without accompanying logic or evidence that ....”
Use the Turabian in-text citation style taught in Political Science 200. If you are not sure whether to cite something, cite it. If you state something that is common knowledge--Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election--then you do not need a citation. If you have to look something up to write it in your paper--Barack Obama won 28 states and DC--then you should cite it (CNN 2008). If you learned something during the course of this class, then you should cite where you learned it from (e.g. reading, lecture, etc.).
The essay has limit of 1500 words (not counting the title page and works cited page). I penalize 1 point for every percentage point over. Double-space the paper and number and staple the pages. (I suggest using 1-inch margins and Times Roman 12pt font.) Include a works cited page and a title page, with the word count (along with name and date) noted on the title page.
If you do not meet with the FHSS Writing Lab, you lose 10 out of 100 points.
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