Paper topics can be important personalities, movements, and events concerning human rights organizations and institutio

Paper topics can be important personalities, movements, and events concerning human rights organizations and institutions. To assure uniformity, and my ability to read them if necessary, all scholarly sources have to be in English. Paper topics should not be American-focused. PLEASE do NOT choose from your own background, so you can learn about other groups to expand your intellectual horizons. Students should write a paper about ANY heritage other than their own.

An abstract summarizes, usually in one paragraph of between 150250 words, the major aspects of a research paper or dissertation in a prescribed sequence that includes: The overall purpose of the study. Information regarding the method and participants. Main findings or trends. Your interpretations and conclusion.

Databases include: JSTOR, Historical Abstracts, Economist Historical Archive, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts. Human Rights and History research guides: http://guides.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/?b=s;

Seven sources MUST be articles from various law reviews or academic periodicals, of at least ten pages, or chapters from analytical books written by different authors, since 2000. To help find scholarly articles and annotated bibliographies, useful tutorials are: https://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/resources-for/students/tutorials.

ONE exception is permitted. Additional allowances must be explained to be excused.

Unacceptable: Course materials, encyclopedias, dictionaries, movies, newspapers, magazines, textbooks, cases or casebooks, documentaries, and websites.

You have four options on paper format:

1.    Regular term paper integrating seven scholarly source; or

2.    Annotated Bibliography: Besides a general narrative on the topic, on each book or article you will analyze its thesis, evidence, strengths and weaknesses; or

3.    [my favorite] Comparative Annotated Bibliography: Contrast various sources, referring to the background of authors and their conclusions. This may be the most demanding alternative, but also the most rewarding for you, as it is the best preparation for the interview; or  

4. Making/Refuting arguments for/against a thesis such this human rights organization is effective or this human rights institution needs to change its mission

The leading criteria in evaluating your performance will be 7 Cs:  Coordinating topic with course materials and the professor; overall Competence; Communication skills; the Clarity of the paper; knowledge of topic Context; Contents of work; and the Consequences of the topic.