FINAL RESEARCH ESSAY – SOC 797 CONTEMPORARY MIGRATION RESEARCH


Sixty percent (60%) of your grade will be based on a research essay, including the draft and the
peer review. Please follow the guidelines below, and don’t hesitate to contact one of us if you
have any questions. We will answer most e-mails within 24 hours. You may come and see one of us for
help during our office hours or e-mail to make arrangements for another time that is convenient for
you. In other words, there is no excuse for problems with this assignment! We really enjoy meeting
with students – please take advantage of this factJ!


We have also posted some optional readings, under Week 7, which may help you to think about how to
pick a topic (“Picking a Research Topic” Turabian 1-3), how to format your paper (“Research Essay –
Useful Information” – Sociology Writing Group Ch 4) and how to finish up and edit your paper (“SWG
– Part III”). There is also a citation guide from the American Sociological Association that you
should follow for structuring your in-text citations and your reference list.


STRUCTURE:


The purpose of this essay is to think sociologically about migration. The assignment is very broad
– you may choose any topic related to migration research, refugees or political participation. We
will approve the topic and make sure that your research question is narrow enough to answer
successfully in an essay of this length.


The final essay should be approximately 10-12 pages (2.5 cm.” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt. Font),
for a minimum of 3,500 words, but there is no maximum limit.


TIMELINE:


April 14, 2016             One-paragraph statement explaining your choice of topic is due in the
appropriate discussion group. We will approve your topic within 48 hours so you can begin work. You
may send this at ANY time; you do not have to wait until the due date.


May 2, 2016 – 12:00 pm        Draft of the paper to be uploaded to the HOMEWORK VAULT.


May 5, 2016 – 8:00 am          Peer Review of the Paper Draft to be uploaded to the HOMEWORK VAULT.


June 12, 2016 – 23:59            FINAL ESSAY IS DUE in the HOMEWORK VAULT.




LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be marked down by 2 points per day.