CS 4001

Term Paper

 

Due:
  • Thursday, November 6th
Format:
  • Approx. ten pages
  • Double spaced
  • 12 pt font
  • Paper copy handed in during class, and electronic copy emailed to TA before class
Grading criteria:
  • Quality of research:
    • Sufficiency
    • Typicality
    • Accuracy
    • Relevance
  • Insight into computing and society issues
  • Writing
  • Bibliography
  • Presentation

 

For your term paper, you will research an issue about computing and society that you are initially undecided about. In your paper, you will take a position on that issue and support that position. Your paper should be approximately ten pages long. Don't worry if it's a bit longer or shorter--just make sure to cover your issue well. (Just please don't go over twice the suggested length.)

Try to be balanced and fair in your presentation of evidence. You don' t necessarily need to take a strong stance on the issue. If as you research you find you are really undecided, you may instead write about why there is currently not enough evidence available on your issue. You can review all the existing evidence, and in your conclusion outline what sort of empirical research would be desirable to fully understand the issue.

Quality of writing counts. Please try to make your prose clear and readable. Do not use overly formal language, but also do not use colloquialisms. Your textbooks are reasonable models for the desired writing style.

To the greatest extent possible, all statements in your paper should be supported by appropriate references. If you include personal opinion or other sources of data, mark those clearly. Your bibliography should be in APA style. (See appendix of the Writing Arguments book.)

Please do NOT write about sharing music and other files online, without special permission of the instructor. In the past, people have had difficulty with this topic. We'll discuss this in class.

Term Paper Presentation

Prepare a five-minute oral presentation of your term paper. Guidelines for presentations will be reviewed in class. Your presentation grade is part of your term paper grade. Presentations will be strictly timed.

Everyone should be prepared to present in class on the day term papers are due. In class, we will randomly assign who presents in that session versus the next two classes.

Revised Term Papers

If you choose, you may revise your term paper. Your final grade is the average of your first and revised term paper grades. Revised papers are due on 11/27 at the latest, but if you can hand them in earlier that would be appreciated. We will grade revised papers in the order received. To hand in a revised paper, you must hand in three things: a copy of the original paper with instructor comments on it, a copy of the revised paper, and a copy of the revised paper with changes highlighted. You may highlight changes with a highlighter pen, or use the 'version tracking' feature of many word processors.