Topics for the Term Paper:
1. Discuss the relevance/role of Confucianism in the modern world.
2. Can Daoist philosophy of non-action (wuwei) contribute to a remedy for environmental issues?
3. What Daoist values may benefit the world today? In which ways?
4. Analyze an issue in gender discrimination against women in Chinese culture.
5. Analyze a social issue in Chinese society today.
Requirements:
Your term paper will be a research paper that requires you to conduct careful research concerning one of the above topics to form your argument/thesis statement.
Proposal (5%, 2-3 pages, double-spaced)
Your proposal needs to cover the following items, but not necessarily in the order as listed.
Identify a topic area; findings in your research on a topic (0.5%)
Questions that have arisen in your research (0.5%)
Develop a research question (0.5%)
Develop a thesis statement (1%, one statement, one or two sentences, that usually answers your research question.) Here is a link to thesis statements.
Outline (0.5%)
Annotated bibliography (You need to add notes/comments to your bibliography to explain what an article/book is about and how it may be useful to your research.) (0.5%)
Research log (journal/a record of your research) (1%)
Analyze a single article/book chapter in depth (0.5%)
Requirements on the Sources for your Research:
Authoritative and reliable sources are crucial for the success of your research project. You need to consult three or more current sources that are peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly books. Authoritative academic sources include scholarly journal articles and book chapters, such as the assigned reading materials for this course. Random Web sources, newspapers, magazines, personal blogs, are not allowed.
Requirements on the Formatting:
The formatting of your term paper should be in accord with the convention of scholarly writing. The format should follow the MLA or APA formatting. They must:
– Be formatted appropriately (1 margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, numbered pages)
– Be rigorously checked for spelling and grammar
– Include a title, your name, student number, the course title, and the name of the professor.
