PART ONE
Students will write a thoughtful, reflective paper that analyzes and critiques an important ethical issue affecting the media while defending a clear thesis. The paper should integrate a sophisticated expression of a Christian worldview throughout, relating to defense of the thesis. Students will submit the paper in three phases: Phase 1, Topic Selection, discussion of the ethical issue’s nature and statement of the research thesis; Phase 2, Annotated Bibliography, a minimum of 12 sources is required for a “C” paper (75%). No more than 1/3 of the references may be internet based; Phase 3, The Final Paper written and documented according to Modern Language Association guidelines for publication. Make sure that you analyze and critique the ethical issue rather than merely reporting what others have said about it.
Details:
- Use footnotes or endnotes to document quotations, identify secondary sources, and define terms the typical reader would not understand.
- Papers are due on Wednesday, December 6 at 2:35 pm. Late papers will be docked one third of a letter grade for every school day they are late. No exceptions.
- Your paper should include 5,000-7,500 words (approximately 20-22 pages), excluding the bibliography. This is the standard expectation of all senior thesis assignments.
- Papers should be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins. Quotations of more than four lines must be single-spaced, indented, and displayed without quotation marks. You must include page numbers at the bottom of each page. Consult MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th Ed. for other mechanical details.
- Neatness and proper grammar are essential. Carefully correct all errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. Professionalism is required and assumed in the “real world.” Now is a good time to get into the habit.
- While content is obviously important, clarity and logical progression of the argument are very important.
- Write simply and express your thoughts in a straightforward manner. Prepare the paper as if your intended audience consisted of college-educated readers. Do not write the paper for the instructor. To improve your writing style, study Strunk and White’s Elements of Style.
- Avoid extensive quotation and paraphrasing—only use quotations to support your points.
- Beware of plagiarism. Be certain that you understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Document carefully and cite all sources of information in footnotes and endnotes. Do not force the reader to guess whether a given idea or expression is yours or somebody else’s.
- Complete this project on the honor system. Do your own work. This is not a group project.
- Please make a copy of your paper before turning it in to the instructor.
- Computer problems are not a legitimate excuse for late papers. Print a hard copy of each draft and keep a back-up copy of all computer files.
PART TWO
- An ideal senior thesis should offer a cogent analysis of a complex topic while defending a clear thesis. It should also include all of the following elements:
an obvious thesis on a debatable contention
convincing and well-supported arguments in defense of the thesis
full and fair consideration of opposing positions
judicious use of primary and secondary source material
good organization with an effective introduction, clear divisions, smooth transitions, and a strong
conclusion
stylistic finesse in clarity, tone, word choice, sentence structure, and paragraph construction
correct and consistent use of a standard citation form
mastery of standard grammar, good usage, and appropriate mechanics
- An ideal senior thesis includes a sophisticated (complex, refined, insightful, mature, intellectually appealing) expression of a Christian world-view. The expression of a Christian world-view should occur throughout the paper and should be related to the thesis and the arguments in defense of the thesis (it should not be an aside in the conclusion). Understanding of a Christian world-view may be demonstrated in one or more of the following ways:
Explaining why an issue/topic is important to the Christian faith or to Christian believers
Employing theological doctrine, church tradition, biblical materials, or Christian experience
Applying a particular Christian ethical stance
Delineating a variety of Christian positions
Studying a particular Christian thinker, tradition, or school of thought
Attempting to define a Christian world-view
Comparing a Christian position with a secular perspective or that of another religious tradition
Examining the experience and/or behavior of Christians, Christian tradition, or Christian practice
- An ideal senior thesis includes a thorough and/or complex integrative and cross-disciplinary emphasis. This integrative and cross-disciplinary emphasis should appear throughout the thesis in one or more of the following ways:
Using theorists, concepts, literature, examples, illustrations, and/or arguments from multiple
disciplines
Demonstrating how different disciplines might benefit from the analysis presented in the paper
Analyzing the assumptions of and influences on a movement, thinker, period, debate, etc.
Discussing the various contexts in which an issue is framed and debated
Illustrating the social, political, religious, and/or economic implications of the topic and thesis
Sample Solution
