Proposal for Research Paper on Current Human Rights Issue

Proposal for Research Paper on a Current Human Rights Issue

Description:

The proposal is designed to help you start your research, organize your thoughts, and develop your arguments. Your final paper is worth 30% of your grade, so please ensure that you take this proposal seriously, as it will ensure your final paper is off to a good start.

For your final paper, you have the choice of writing on any topic you believe is a current human rights issue. This can be a topic we cover in the course or some other topic you find interesting. The final paper is half research paper and half argumentative paper – i.e., you will need to research a human rights issue and advance an argument about that issue.

Be specific! The more specific you are about the issue and your argument, the better your paper will be. For example, instead of writing broadly about ‘women’s rights,’ write instead about women’s rights in the context of pay inequality in Ontario and the policies best suited to defeat it.

Instructions for the proposal:

Choose a human rights issue: As we have seen, there is an abundance of human rights issues. Look over the course outline to see what we will be covering in future weeks. You may find some ideas there. You are also free to write on topics you covered in your first assignment, with much more specificity, of course. Again, be specific!
Research: Find a minimum of 5 credible sourcesthat you believe to be relevant to your human rights issue. Try and include a variety of sources. Aim for a mixture of books, peer-reviewed articles, credible news sources, and information from NGOs. DO NOT include blogs or other questionable internet sources.
Format: Your proposal should include the following, along with your name, date, etc.:

i.	Working Title	A title that captures the essence of your paper
ii.	Hypothesis and Thesis Statement	The hypothesis is the central question you pose in your paper, and the thesis statement is your answer to that question.
iii.	Background Paragraph	A short paragraph describing the background to the human rights issue you have chosen.
iv.	Proposed Arguments	State and elaborate on two arguments that support your thesis statement. Also, include possible objections to your view.
v.	Preliminary Works Cited	Properly list the five or more sources you found while researching your topic. Use any citation style with which you are comfortable (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago). Ensure that you are consistent with your citation rules.