The paper (6-10 pages long) is due Tues., Oct. 31, in class. Note that there is also a take home exam version of this assignment, which you may choose to do instead of this one.
The below topics are suggestions. If you want to
write on another topic, feel free to do so. It might be a good idea,
however, in that case, to check with me first.
The main focus of the paper should be, one way or
another, on texts we've read for this class, though you're welcome to
use other material also if it seems useful/relevant. If you do use
outside sources, it should go without saying that you must cite them,
and provide enough bibliographical information that I can figure out
what they are. (For sources from the recommended or required reading,
title and page number should be sufficient.)
I recommend an attempt to interpret
(understand/explain/make sense of) the views of the authors we've
read, rather than, say, an attempt to make an argument of your own
against them. (I recommend this particularly if one or more of
these authors rubs you the wrong way or seems obviously wrong or
uninteresting.) All of the suggested topics below are along those
lines. This is only a recommendation, however: I suspect that an
effort in this direction is most likely to produce a good paper, but
if you think you have a good idea along other lines, go ahead and try
it.