Reference no: EM132332994 , Length: 6
Assignment - ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR LABR 1F90
QUESTION: During this course we considered the question as to whether or not we live in a class-based society. On one hand, it is not uncommon for people to say that we live in a meritocracy (that we have equality of opportunity and those who succeed do so on their own merits). On the other hand, it is hard to deny the role of money and connections in shaping one's life chances. Do we live in a meritocracy, or a class-based society? How is one best to understand the concept of 'class' and to what extent does it shape one's future life-chances?
INSTRUCTIONS: All essays must be 7-8 double-spaced pages. You must include a bibliography. You must use at least 5 peer-reviewed sources. You may, of course, use upwards of this. Your sources must reveal different viewpoints about the issue at hand. This is an argumentative paper. This means that you must develop an argument.
Structure:
1. INTRODUCTION
a. This section includes your justification and thesis
b. Make sure any facts you are discussing are referenced
c. Tell me what you are going to discuss, how you are going to discuss it and why you think it is important to discuss (this may be added to your justification)
d. Come up with some kind of statement that reflects what you think you know about the topic
e. Don't look for evidence to justify or support your thesis, let the evidence dictate your thesis
2. FIRST DISCUSSION - HISTORICAL CONTEXT
a. In this section you will tell me about the history of the debate
b. Everything you write in this section will be referenced, nothing is your own idea
c. For example - minimum wage, when did it come into play, what is it
d. Union dues - where did this originate
e. Class and meritocracy - who first discussed this argument, what is this specifically
3. SECOND DISCUSSION - SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS
a. In this section you will discuss what the research tells you about one side of the argument
b. Reference any facts - remember nothing is your own idea
4. THIRD DISCUSSION - OPPOSING ARGUMENTS
a. In this section will discuss what the research tells you about the opposite side of the argument
b. Again, referencing is critical
c. For both these sections try to synthesize material
5. DISCUSSION - CRITICAL ANALYSIS
a. Tell me about the strengths and weaknesses about both sides of the argument
b. Synthesize - for example:
i. The increase of minimum wages are said to reduce poverty (Brown 2010; Mallory 2015; Wyatt 2016). Even though statistics prove this to be somewhat true, the research does not address that face that man minimum wage workers do not fall under the poverty line (Anderson 2016; McMillan 2017; Zebra 2017).
6. CONCLUSION
a. Wrap everything up
b. Restate your thesis backing it up by referencing
c. Your thesis may change, that's ok - many scholars end up disproving their thesis through further research
d. You also may not be able to make a clear statement as both opposing and supporting views leave you sitting on the fence
e. What are the next steps to address this problem - critically think about this question.