Major Reaserch Essay Paper

Essay Question

Using formal/scholarly language (mainly write in the third person - ONLY four 1st person sentences allowed), write a persuasive/argumentative essay according to ONE of the two options listed below. Your target audience will be the college-educated American who has little to no idea about the issue in question:

Option A: Engage in a debate in which you identify and explore in-depth at least THREE distinct positions regarding a provocative ethical, political, and/or social issue related to globalization. In formulating and defending your position (this means you have to take a side), you must present a coherent account of the background of the issue being debated and an objective and balanced explanation of the arguments made on MULTIPLE (at least three) sides of this debate (DO NOT refer to only "two" or "both" sides of the debate in your essay). Please ensure that you provide sufficient information for an ignorant but educated readership to follow the terms of the debate (e.g. defining key terms, providing sufficient historical context, explaining scientific or other theoretical concepts). You may NOT write about any of the following topics: abortion, gun control, gambling, capital punishment, euthanasia, Native American sporting mascots. If you would like to write about an event, you need to frame it in terms of a specific issue regarding that event (email me for further clarification if you are interested). Sample Topics include: Globalization as Americanization, drones in military and/or civilian contexts, addictions (related to globalization such as gaming/pharmaceutical/etc.), NAFTA or other free-trade agreements, reality television (impact on society), the impact of social media on politics, the impact of technology on organized crime such as drug/arms dealing and human trafficking, mass media's influence on body image, the impact of social media on dating, how technology has changed education, Air B&B, Uber/Lyft.

Option B: Write a problem-solving essay regarding a provocative ethical, political and/or social problem associated with globalization where you clearly identify a SINGLE problem, OBJECTIVELY outline and evaluate at least THREE possible solutions to that problem, identify at least ONE potential obstacle for EACH solution, and finally indicate where you stand in relation to these solutions (i.e. endorse one of the solutions examined or advocate for a final solution that is a synthesis of elements from the various solutions examined). You may NOT write about any of the following topics: abortion, gun control, gambling, capital punishment, euthanasia, Native American sporting mascots. Sample Topics include: climate change, overpopulation in a specific nation, overfishing, a specific endangered species, overreliance on fossil fuels, growing gap between rich and poor, national debt, government dysfunction, cybercrime, online bullying, homophobia/heterosexism, domestic violence in a specific nation, police brutality in a specific nation, unemployment, discrimination in Air B&B or Uber.

Guidelines & Notes

• You may NOT use any part of an essay that has been (or will be) submitted for another course by you or anyone else.

• Neither essay option requires you to discuss rhetorical strategies or fallacies. Do not do so. For the debate option (option A), you are to discuss the pros and cons or each side of the debate NOT the rhetorical strengths and weaknesses of specific authors' arguments. Similarly, the problem-solving option (option B) requires you to examine and evaluate risks and benefits of each solution, NOT the rhetorical quality of specific authors' solutions examined.

• Each essay must cite researched data from at least 2 peer-reviewed academic journal articles (at least 5 pages long each) and at least 2 news media articles obtained via a library database portal, and at least 1 book (e-book or "real" book).

• You will be looked upon favorably for using the interlibrary loan service.

• Texts of any kind from any other course or from home ARE NOT ALLOWED. Using such materials will result in significant penalty or outright failure.

• Internet sources (e.g. websites, Google Scholar, Wikipedia) may NOT be used at all.

• Data from CQ researcher may only be used in the introductory paragraph of your essay (i.e. for background information).

o However, articles featured in CQ Researcher may be used if the originals are obtained.

• Late submissions will not be accepted for ANY reason.

• You may not use more than 2 "rhetorical questions."

• You are encouraged NOT to select a topic that you feel overly emotional about, or a topic that needs to be argued on grounds that are primarily moral/religious/emotional. Try to find a topic that you are interested in, unfamiliar with, and will be able to engage with objectively.