V. Analytic Research Paper | 35%

For your final research paper, you will address a specific research question, based on a topic of your choice, which addresses one or more of the core themes of the seminar. This assignment will assess your ability to formulate an analytical research question and to carry out scholarly research towards answering your research question. You are required to incorporate a minimum of seven (7) appropriate scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (i.e. books and journal articles) from outside of the course readings. While you may draw on course material and non- scholarly sources (e.g. newspaper articles, government publications, or NGO reports) the bulk of your paper should reflect the outside scholarly sources.<br>
You may select a topic and research question of your choice or you can choose to pursue one of the topics we have covered in class. However, you cannot write your research paper on the same topic as your case study analysis. I encourage you to pursue a topic that is of interest to you and to meet with me to discuss ideas. Here are examples of broad topics:
Representations of “organized crime” in film and television today
Street gangs in Canada
Intersections with colonialism and imperialism
Crimes against the environment
New “vice” markets
Significance of (changing) borders Cyber-crime and “virtual” markets
Political corruption in Canada – municipal, provincial, federal
Decriminalization and legalization strategies Modern piracy – at sea and online Gambling markets
Organized crime and organized labour – repression and union corruption Transnational / international policing initiatives Criminalization organized political contention / resistance movements
State criminality and military industrial complex Global supply chain logistics
Corporate criminality
Human trafficking
Electronic currencies and money laundering / financial crime
Gender and organized crime
Enduring “War on Drugs”
Integrated enforcement practices in Canada
5
The objective of a research paper is to be analytical rather than descriptive. Therefore, rather than simply summarizing or describing the content of your sources, your paper should demonstrate an understanding of the core theoretical and conceptual frameworks from the course by applying these to your research topic and question. You should demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through your synthesis of the research material and engagement with central themes. Your paper will be evaluated for the clarity, conciseness and organization of writing. Proper referencing following the ASA or APA style guides is required. Please ensure that you proof-read carefully as spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors can detract from the flow, clarity and readability of your paper.
The final paper should be between 3000 and 3500 words in length (approximately 12-14 double spaced pages) not including the title page and reference list. Your paper is to be written and structured as a formal paper. This means that in addition to the body of the paper, you must include an introduction in which your research topic and thesis statement are clearly identified and contextualized, and a conclusion in which the main arguments or themes from the paper are concisely summarized. Pay attention to logic and flow in the organization of your paper. Allow yourself sufficient time to review, edit, revise and proof-read your paper prior to the due date.
Evaluation will be based on your ability to:
– formulate a relevant, analytical research question and thesis statement
– carry out scholarly research, reflected in the quality, strength, and appropriateness of
outside sources;
– demonstrate an understanding of theoretical and conceptual frameworks through their
application to the research topic/question;
– synthesize and integrate research materials (minimum of 7 outside scholarly sources)
and course content;
– engage with central themes and debates related to the study of organized crime;
– write in a clear, concise and well-organized manner; grammatical and spelling errors that
affect comprehension may affect your grade;
– properly reference all materials following either the ASA or APA formats.
V. Analytic Research Paper (Due April 2, 2015) | 35%
. Presentation | 10%
For your final research paper, you will address a specific research question, based on a topic of your choice, which addresses one or more of the core themes of the seminar. This assignment will assess your ability to formulate an analytical research question and to carry out scholarly research towards answering your research question. You are required to incorporate a minimum of seven (7) appropriate scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (i.e. books and journal articles) from outside of the course readings. While you may draw on course material and non- scholarly sources (e.g. newspaper articles, government publications, or NGO reports) the bulk of your paper should reflect the outside scholarly sources.
You may select a topic and research question of your choice or you can choose to pursue one of the topics we have covered in class. However, you cannot write your research paper on the same topic as your case study analysis. I encourage you to pursue a topic that is of interest to you and to meet with me to discuss ideas. Here are examples of broad topics:
Representations of “organized crime” in film and television today
Street gangs in Canada
Intersections with colonialism and imperialism
Crimes against the environment
New “vice” markets
Significance of (changing) borders Cyber-crime and “virtual” markets
Political corruption in Canada – municipal, provincial, federal<br>
Decriminalization and legalization strategies Modern piracy – at sea and online Gambling markets
Organized crime and organized labour – repression and union corruption Transnational / international policing initiatives Criminalization organized political contention / resistance movements
State criminality and military industrial complex Global supply chain logistics
Corporate criminality
Human trafficking
Electronic currencies and money laundering / financial crime<br>
Gender and organized crime
Enduring “War on Drugs”
Integrated enforcement practices in Canada
5
The objective of a research paper is to be analytical rather than descriptive. Therefore, rather than simply summarizing or describing the content of your sources, your paper should demonstrate an understanding of the core theoretical and conceptual frameworks from the course by applying these to your research topic and question. You should demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through your synthesis of the research material and engagement with central themes. Your paper will be evaluated for the clarity, conciseness and organization of writing. Proper referencing following the ASA or APA style guides is required. Please ensure that you proof-read carefully as spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors can detract from the flow, clarity and readability of your paper.
The final paper should be between 3000 and 3500 words in length (approximately 12-14 double spaced pages) not including the title page and reference list. Your paper is to be written and structured as a formal paper. This means that in addition to the body of the paper, you must include an introduction in which your research topic and thesis statement are clearly identified and contextualized, and a conclusion in which the main arguments or themes from the paper are concisely summarized. Pay attention to logic and flow in the organization of your paper. Allow yourself sufficient time to review, edit, revise and proof-read your paper prior to the due date.
Evaluation will be based on your ability to:
– formulate a relevant, analytical research question and thesis statement
– carry out scholarly research, reflected in the quality, strength, and appropriateness of
outside sources;
– demonstrate an understanding of theoretical and conceptual frameworks through their
application to the research topic/question;
– synthesize and integrate research materials (minimum of 7 outside scholarly sources)
and course content;
– engage with central themes and debates related to the study of organized crime;
– write in a clear, concise and well-organized manner; grammatical and spelling errors that
affect comprehension may affect your grade;
– properly reference all materials following either the ASA or APA formats.