MEDST 381W Surveillance Prof. Maxwell
Research Essay #2
DUE DATES: First (perfect) version is due on or before Nov. 20, 2020. Second revised version (if needed) is due on or before Dec. 9, 2020
Topic: This is an essay about surveillance in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Your paper: Will identify and analyze the role of surveillance during the pandemic, with specific examples drawn from 10 distinct research-based sources (journalistic and/or academic; find sources that are based on investigative methods of good journalism or academic research).
You must discuss:
Pros and Cons of surveillance in the pandemic
Any controversies surrounding the uses of surveillance in the pandemic, such as profiteering, or opportunistic attempts to use the pandemic as an excuse for surveillance not directed at public health concerns.
Your analysis should conclude with your position on the limits and possibilities of public health surveillance
Source minimum: 10 distinct sources. Please note: you may use one of the 10 sources multiple times, but you cant count those additional uses as one of the 10 distinct sources. So, the minimum is 10 distinct sources, any of which might be cited more than once. Cite sources in the text (MLA or APA style) and include full citations of sources in a bibliography (MLA or APA style).
Page minimum: 7 pages of text (not 6 plus two sentences on a 7th page!) plus the bibliography; double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font. Dont forget to put your name on the paper.
Here are 5 links to help you get started.
Surveillance of coronavirus infections and privacy https://theconversation.com/digital-surveillance-can-help-bring-the-coronavirus-pandemic-under-control-but-also-threatens-privacy-135151
Beyond privacy https://theconversation.com/the-coronavirus-pandemic-highlights-the-need-for-a-surveillance-debate-beyond-privacy-137060
Questions about Big Tech https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/10/coronavirus-pandemic-surveillance-privacy-big-data/
Surveillance of wildlife, the sources of viruses https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/global-wildlife-surveillance-system-could-provide-early-warning-for-next-pandemic/
Questions of democracy https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/surveillance-skin-alarm-200527135135268.html https://www.eff.org/issues/covid-19
Grading criteria:
FLate or plagiarized
DFails to complete requirements for C
CThoughtfully address all 3 discussion points plus citation and format requirements. One or two writing errors per page
BSatisfies requirements for a C without writing errors
ASatisfies requirements for a B and demonstrates extra effort to find multiple sources that enhance clarity, thinking, and explanation.
