1. Each student has considerable leeway in terms of the topic of his/her paper, so long as the topic lies within the historical limits of the course (in other words, no papers on Ancient Egypt, please). All papers must have an adequate quantity and quality of sources, be they interviews, academic texts, articles, or other publications. These must be cited properly in a bibliography. Information for the paper must not come from an encyclopedia. You must also incorporate into your research the use of the Library's various databases (ex. Lexis/Nexis, Infotrac, etc.) and seek help at the Learning Center in order to complete this assignment.  I have created a series of Internet links which may help you in this regard.

2. Possible topics include those broad areas included in the syllabus (gender, urbanism, etc.), as well as others (ex. Islamic architecture, medicine, law, etc.). I suggest that you limit your choice not to, say, the entire field of Islamic architecture, but to a particular example of that genre (say, a discussion of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, or of food types within a particular part of the region). It is assumed that regardless of your topic, you will place your discussion within the broader context of the course in terms of the social, historic, religious, geographic and other elements which give your topic its relevance and significance.

Please note that, while most topics conforming to this description will likely be accepted, the following is a partial list of topics that may not be used for the Term Paper assignment:

                Women in Iran

                Women in Saudi Arabia

                Saudi Atrium Houses

                Architectural Analysis of the Dome of the Rock

3. Rather than writing a straightforward term paper, you may wish instead to interview a citizen from the region, read and report on a piece of fiction (ex. Naguib Mahfouz's work), see a movie filmed in the Middle East, etc. In terms of presentation, however, such topics still must conform to the general term paper structure (i.e. footnoted, with bibliography, additional sources beyond data from a single interview, novel or movie, and so on).

4. In other words, regardless of whether the paper is culled from primary or secondary research, all papers must:

a. Be analytical, not merely descriptive (i.e. answer the question(s) "Why?", not simply "What?"

b.  Be clearly presented and well organized.

c. Have a bibliography

d. Have footnoted quotes or ideas, which are "imbedded" in the text (author, date:page) as follows:

The frustrations of joblessness, a sense of weakness in relation to the government (Billsom, 1990:206), and other aspects of displacement may be played out violently by a Bedouin male upon those to whom he is closest.

Endnotes/footnotes are not acceptable! Failure to cite your sources amounts to plagiarism, and will result in a) a failing grade for the assignment and b) possible additional disciplinary action by the University.

e. Have proper grammar and spelling.

In addition, each student will be required to submit a series of email messages to me regarding progress being made on writing the paper (see schedule for various due dates). Also, each student must take a copy of the paper to the Learning Center for assistance and direction.

5.  A series of emails must be sent to me throughout the term keeping me updated on the progress of your term paper research.  All emails are to be sent to me at DineroS@philau.edu by no later than the date and time designated. No credit will be given for assignments that are not received by these dates/times. I recommend that you save all messages in Word or a similar word processing program, and that you print out hard copies of your "Sent Mail" files, proving that you did indeed send the messages by the assigned dates. You may find it easier to write answers out in Word first, and then copy them into your email message. Do not send them as attachments, as this function does not always work properly! If you email me from an account other than your own, be certain to indicate in the "Subject" area so you can receive credit for completing the assignment.

In a sentence or two, explain what your topic will be. You are to choose one theme covered in the course (or one outside the course, with instructor’s approval), and one country in which that theme will be discussed/explored. If you choose an alternative approach to the assignment (ex. reading and reporting on a Middle Eastern novel, writing a creative piece, etc.) you must still explain how this topic will fit into the themes and/or context of the course.

Email #2  – Abstract describing what the paper will be about.

In 200-400 words, explain specifically what you will be addressing in the paper, what you expect to find (clearly, you will need to have begun your research by this point), how you will present the information, etc.

Email #3 - Annotated Bibliography of 3-5 sources.

The content of each source must be described in a few sentences, proving to me that you have indeed read its contents, and that it is an appropriate source for the needs/purposes of your paper.

Email #4  – Intro paragraph of the paper.

By now you have begun writing the paper. Copy and send me the first paragraph (or 2-3 paragraphs) so I can see that you are headed in the right direction.

Email #5  – Annotated Bibliography of 7-10 sources.