Assignments
A Paper
During this semester you will be required to write a 5-6 page paper which will be due in class in the 12th week of the course. It should demonstrate familiarity with some of the online texts in the instructor's bibliography on American Studies.
These essays should be thoughtful, critical engagements with the course material in question; they should not be mere summaries of the readings or regurgitation of our in-class conversations.
Be sure to cite all the sources you are going to use in the paper! Late papers are not accepted!
Guidelines for writing a paper
Technical Requirements
The paper should contain 6-10 pages:
• it should be typed (type #10, Times New Roman);
• don't forget to put your name and date in the right-hand corner of the first page, title pages are unnecessary;
• center your title twelve lines from the top of the first page;
• leave uniform margins on each page: an inch (2,5см) on both sides and at the top and the bottom of the page;
• intent each new paragraph five spaces from the left margin;
• double-space all the copy;
• number the pages in the top right-hand corner.
Style
Papers should include the following sections:
1. An Introduction that states the problem to be investigated, contextualizes the research by describing the underlying theoretical framework, defines the variables and research hypotheses.
2. A Discussion Section that includes an overview of the problem and why you see this as an important challenge, a thorough literature review and adequate reference citations to support the arguments (approximately 6-15 references); all material that is paraphrased or quoted from another source is substantiated with an in-text reference citation.
3. A Conclusion that includes general implications of the study, suggestions for further research.
4. References.
Ten questions to ask yourself while writing a paper:
1. Do I understand the topic I intend to discuss?
2. Are my notes clear and complete, allowing me to describe key images and other elements of the literary work?
3. Does my opening paragraph lead to a specific and precisely formulated thesis which anticipates the main points of the argument of the paper?
4. Do my topic sentences reflect a logical development of that thesis?
5. Are there smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences?
6. Do paragraphs cohere, usually around a single idea?
7. Is the meaning of each sentence clear, and are the structures of sentences varied?
8. Are general or abstract observations supported with concrete examples?
9. Have I carefully proofread and revised for grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors?
10. Have footnotes and quotations been double-checked for accuracy and proper placement?
References
References should relate only to the material that is cited within the content of the manuscript and may not include any bibliographic references that do not associate directly with the content of the manuscript. References should be in alphabetical order and not numbered in the text or in the reference list. Please do not include any abbreviations.
References should appear as:
Book with one author: Author, A. A. (2005). Title of work. Location/City, State: Publisher. Book with two authors: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (2005). Title of work. Location/City, State: Publisher.
Book with more than two authors: Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2005). Title of work. Location/City, State: Publisher.
Journal article: Sawyer, S., & Tapia, A. (2005). The sociotechnical nature of mobile computing work: Evidence from a study of policing in the United States. International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction, 1(3), 1-14.
A publication in press: Junho, S. (in press). Roadmap for e-commerce standardization in Korea. International Journal of IT Standards and Standardization Research.
Edited book: Zhao, F. (Ed.). (2006). Maximize business profits through e-partnerships. Hershey, PA: IRM Press.
Chapter in an edited book: Jaques, P. A., & Viccari, R. M. (2006). Considering students’ emotions in computer-mediated learning environments. In Z. Ma (Ed.), Web-based intelligent e-learning systems: Technologies and applications (pp. 122-138). Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing.
Published proceedings: Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1991). A motivational approach to self: Integration in personality. In R. Dienstbier (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Vol. 38. Perspectives on motivation (pp. 237-288). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Web site: VandenBos, G., Knapp, S., & Doe, J. (2001). Role of reference elements in the selection of resources by psychology undergraduates. Journal of Bibliographic Research, 5, 117- 123. Retrieved October 13, 2001, from http://jbr.org/articles.html
Citation
In-Text Citations: In-text citations should appear with author surname followed by publication year in parentheses.
Example: (Brown, 2002) Variations of in-text citations: o Citing several references in-text: In alphabetical order, each citation is separated by a semicolon and ampersand (&). The word, “and” should not be used to separate entries. Example: In most organizations, data resources are considered to be a major resource (Brown, 2002; Krall & Johnson, 2005; Smith, 2001). o Citing author within sentence if author’s name is mentioned directly within the manuscript text: Example: Brown (2002) states that the value of data is recognized by most organizations. o Direct quote in-text citations: Example: “In most organizations, data resources are considered to be a major organization asset” (Smith, 2001, pp. 35-36) and must be carefully monitored by the senior management. o In-text citations should not appear numbered: Incorrect: In most organizations, data resources are considered to be a major resource [15; 30; 84]. Correct: In most organizations, data resources are considered to be a major resource (Brown, 2002; Krall & Johnson, 2005; Smith, 2001).
For quotes exceeding 40 words, quotes should be formatted as a block quote (a block quote uses no quotation marks, and its margins are indented from the left; a period is placed before the parenthetical in-text citation): Example: As an ever-growing number of people around the world have gained access to e-mail and Internet facilities, it has become clear that the communicative environment provided by these tools can foster language learning. E-mail facilitates access to speakers of one's target language. (Vinagre & Lera, 2007, p. 35)
Submission: Papers should be submitted both as a printed version on the required date (see the deadlines) and as an email attachment in .doc or .docx format - the main body of the e-mail message should contain the title of the paper and the name.
Topics for papers
1. Division into regions in Russua and the U.S.: differences and similarities.
2. "Free Choice" in American and Russian Public Education.
3. American vs Russian Universities: differences and similarities.
4. Ethnic Minorities' problems in the USA and Russia.
5. Are There Any Ways to Combat Illegal Immigration in the USA and Russia?
6. The System and Principles of Election in the USA and Russia.
7. The Role of Federal Government in the USA and Russia.
8. The Role of Local Governments in the USA and Russia.
9. Life of the Metropolitan Areas Today in the USA and Russia.
10. The Internet in Political Life of the USA and Russia.
Colloquiums
During this semester you will have to participate in three colloquiums (discussion classes). Your active participation is an essential part of your grade. And the best way to feel confident to talk in class is to come prepared, having read and thought about the assigned readings on the syllabus.
Tests
On a random basis over the course of the semester you will have a series of short-answer and multiple-choice tests on the readings and lectures. The purpose of the tests is to let me know which concepts are coming through well, and which ones I may need to go over again. You will get 10 % for each test. There will be a final test for which you'll get 20 %.
List of questions for Final Test
1. What features make one region of the USA different from another (name at least 5 features)? Today some historians believe that 12 regions can be distinguished by their cultural and historical peculiarities, what are they?
2. Characterize the waves of the century of massive immigration (periods, countries, motivation, events). Main Immigration Acts.
3. The American Identity today: Europeans, American Indians, Black Americans, Hispanics, Asians.
4. What countries are the sources of immigration to the USA today? What are the requirements to become a U.S. citizen?
5. Internal migration: Population Distribution and Density; Changing composition of the population. What are the main reasons of internal immigration and what areas do Americans move to today? What is the “ sunbelt” migration?
6. The System of American Government. The Basic Constitutional Principles. The Constitutional Framework: Federalism and the Separation of Powers. The System of Checks and Balances.
7. The President and the Executive Branch. Using E-government: Effect of Digital Revolution.
8. What does the principle of “oversight review” mean? How does a bill become a law in the US?
9. What is the relationship between federal, state and local governments and what are their different responsibilities? In what spheres has the federal government turned more responsibilities to the states?
10. What does the judicial branch consist of, what are its functions? What are the duties of Federal Courts? One of the most important rights in the US is the right to a fair trial. What does it mean?
11. Election System, its main principles. Steps of the Presidential Elections.
12. What does “ever-lasting” election campaign involve in the USA? Why does voting for “third” parties in he USA mean wasting votes? Why is voter turnout for presidential elections so low now?
13. Characterize the party system in the USA (belief, structure, membership, finance). Why did the USA end up with only two political parties?
14. US economic profile: the American economy today; factors which influence the development of economy: “the spirit of enterprise and initiative”; the role of government; corporations in the American economy today, the process of “deregulation”.
15. Social structure of the US: vast social mobility; the official poverty system (the federal government programs: Unemployment Insurance, Aid to Families with Dependant Children, Supplemental Security Income); health system in the US: “socialised” medicine vs private medicine.
16. Some historical aspects of education in the U.S. The control and financing of education. The U.S. Educational Structure. Programs offered in high schools.
17. Higher education. Types of colleges and universities in the USA. Kinds of degrees. Undergraduate studies. Liberal Arts Colleges.
18. Community Colleges. The system of credits in colleges. Admission standards. Educational attainment or the educational level of the U.S. population.
19. The American Mass Media. Constitutional Protection. Why is there no real national press in the US? Newspares and magazines.
20. Some traits of the American Press.Principles of Investigative Journalism. JOURNALISTIC ETHICS.
21. Libel Law. What is the Libel Law and how was it revolutionized in 1964? The Freedom of the Press and National Security. New York Times v. United States case.
22. Radio and Televion in the U.S. Regulations imposed by the Federal Commission on all Radio and TV stations.
23. American English: History, Major Regional Dialects, Variations, Influences, Race and Language.
