Social Movements Essay

The final paper is a critical and constructive analysis of a chosen social movement topic, in consultation with the instructor. Topics can range from an examination of a particular social movement issue, event, group or point of analysis. Your topic should be contemporary in nature, although requisite amounts of background information and context should be used as necessary to introduce your topic and illustrate your case accordingly.

Essays should have a clear, concise and focused thesis that clearly indicates the direction of the paper and details the specific set of arguments and analysis that is being undertaken in the paper. The introduction, indication and overview of the topic, while important, is insufficient alone for the purposes of this paper that invites students, in conjunction with academic reference materials, to undertake a detailed and nuanced analysis of their desired social movement topic. A summary/history of the topic is insufficient without an accompanying analysis, discussion of significance or critical engagement.

Overall the paper should discuss your topic with an eye to analysis and formulation of a specific argument that is referenced throughout the paper and leads to the suggestion of particular conclusions, lessons, potentials or considerations for social movement engagement, development and resistance.

Students should orient themselves self-reflexively to their chosen topic, keeping in mind personal histories, contexts and intersectionalities. This should go beyond a discussion of bias, as we will all be biased in some way no matter what topic we write, and rather consider the ways that power, oppression and privilege operate in relation to the topic and the context of the discussion in the paper.

For ex. Why did you chose this topic? What is your connection to it? How might you situate yourself in relation to the materials? Why is it significant? What is your stake in the topic? How will this affect your ability to engage with it? What are the implications of the work you are trying take up?

For ex. A white, non-Indigenous student researching Indigenous political theory and resistance and using primarily Indigenous texts and sources should be clear in their own privileged positionality as a result colonization and problematize their own involvement with this topic.

Basic Mechanics:

• due by the beginning of the class (11:00am) on November 30^th
• typed or word-processed, double-spaced, in a reasonable 12 pt. font
• 3000-4000 words in length
• list all references citied in an appropriate in textscholarly format (APA in text preferred – http://researchguides.library.yorku.ca/content.php?pid=239475&sid=1976696)
• endnotes/footnotes should be reserved for additional points of information or clarifications and not for the purposes of direct citations
• suggested number of 10 academic sources (peer-reviewed journals, books etc.)
• use of other sources is encouraged, especially movement related documents such as statements, press releases, analysis, zines, interviews etc., although the paper should have a strong theoretical and academic grounding
• use of personal pronouns (I, etc.) is fine, and encouraged, especially when discussing positionality
• a title page is not required
• double sided printing is encouraged
• the paper should have a clear title in relation to the topic chosen, page numbers, student name and student number, instructor and date of submission

Rough Mark Break Down

Total: 25% of course grade

Standard course policy with regard to lateness applies.

Paper /25

This is a rough weighting of the components that are taken into account when a final grade is assigned.

/10 –Clarity, quality and soundness of thesis and argument.

/5 –Research, originality and scope.

/5 – Style, flow and organization of the paper

/3 – Correct and constructive use of sources and citations.

/2 – Ability to engage self-reflexively with the topic and incorporate personal analysis and connections.

Papers may be submitted either electronicallyvia email(aglewis@yorku.ca) or in hardcopy in class or through the course dropbox. Reminder to email the instructor when submitting to the course drop box to ensure that all papers are confirmed received