PS 111.3 Term Paper Research Questions

PS 111.3 Term Paper Research Questions
Due Date: November 23, 2011

Please choose ONE question below to answer in an argumentative essay. If you wish to alter or revise any of the topical questions, you must speak to Nicole to confirm.

Your essay should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman 12 point font and 1” margins. It should be free from grammatical and structural errors, and include a bibliography. Your essay should use at least 2 academic sources (beyond your textbook) and use a consistent citation style (APA or MLA or Chicago). Failure to follow these guidelines will negatively affect your paper grade.

1. Describe and explain some of the major political issues currently facing indigenous peoples in ONE of the three
democratic countries we are studying (Canada OR the US OR Mexico). What should these indigenous groups do to address these issues? What should federal governments do to address these issues? Choosing a specific case study or group would be helpful in illustrating your points. Bill C-31

Some of the major political issues we are currently facing in Canada is the way Bill C-31 is discriminatory towards women and how this is leading the Indigenous people with the rights towards genocide. The Bill C-31 Act was an amendment made to The Indian Act. It was created in 1985 in an attempt by the government to “restore the treaty rights of women who had originally lost their rights when they married non-Indians”. (insert foot note 1 from http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-c31.htm ) The Indian Act was a bill passed that
One way Indigenous people could combat this is by participating in elections. Another way would be to form their own political party.
Federal governments should support the needs and wants of Indigenous people because it is predicted that by the year ??? the Indigenous people will be the majority in Saskatchewan.
Choose a specific case study or group that would be helpful in illustrating your points…..NDP

http://www.johnco.com/nativel/bill_c31.html http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?lang=E&ls=c31&Parl=39&Ses=1&source=library_prb http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-c31.htm
http://www.nwac.ca/sites/default/files/imce/WEBSITES/201105-06/Bill%20C-3-eng1.pdf

Papers will be marked using the following grade rubric:
Essay Evaluation Checklist (to be circled by marker)
G=Good
A=Average
P=Problematic

Focus/Purpose
G/A/P-Thesis clearly states your opinion
G/A/P-Thesis is included in your introduction
G/A/P-Central arguments are included in your introduction

Content/Support
G/A/P-Analysis, rather than description, dominates the paper
G/A/P-Arguments and major points support the thesis
G/A/P- Claims and observations are adequately supported
G/A/P-Obvious criticisms of your position are countered
G/A/P-Arguments are reasonable and persuasive
G/A/P-Thesis is kept in focus throughout the body of the essay

Citations and Quotations
G/A/P-All words, ideas & data taken from someone else are properly credited to them
G/A/P-Appropriate but brief quotations used selectively, & their relevance is made clear

Research
G/A/P-Appropriate journal articles or books were consulted (minimum requirement: 3 sources)
G/A/P-Insights from class discussions were considered

Organization
G/A/P-Introduction, body, and conclusion are clear, and clearly linked
together
G/A/P-Paragraphs are unified around one point, and clearly linked to the central argument
G/A/P-There is a logical order of ideas, and no excessive repetition

Expression/Style
G/A/P-Prose is clear and free of jargon
G/A/P-Words are used correctly, thesaurus has not been used to excess
G/A/P-Writing is not too “wordy”
G/A/P-Meanings are clear: there is no need to "read between the lines"

Mechanics
G/A/P-Sentences are short, direct, and to the point
G/A/P-No sentence fragments, or run‐on sentences
G/A/P-Spelling and punctuation are correct

Format
G/A/P-Essays are typed, double‐spaced, on white paper, numbered, and stapled together.
G/A/P-Size 12, Times New Roman font is used.
G/A/P-Title page stating student’s name, student number, date, title and course code are included.
G/A/P- Paper does not exceed word count