Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Final Research Paper Guidelines:

The final paper is guided by the following prompt:

Write an original research paper that analyzes a “sacrifice zone,” defined as an area, community, or defined people group impacted by environmental “bads”/”risks” while others directly benefit from the associated environmental degradation or risk.

In other words, and more specifically, we will define a sacrifice zone as:

An area or community, the environment of which is irreparably harmed or damaged. The documented harm or damage (in whatever form) has clear social causes and social impacts. ‘Sacrifice’ necessarily denotes ‘winners’ and ‘losers’, or a situation in which some are interested in the sacrifice, while some must deal with the consequences.

The paper must describe the “what” of the sacrifice zone–what is the environmental bad/risk, where is it, and who is most harmed? What does that sacrifice look like, in term of harm, impact, loss, exploitation? Likewise, the paper must identify and describe who wins, in other words, who benefits or profits from the sacrifice? In addition to describing who wins and who loses, the paper must use theoretical concepts, course materials and research to explain the sacrifice: why does this situation exist? What social forces brought it into being or (re)produce it? Finally, the paper must address politics regarding the sacrifice: how are individuals, groups, movements, governments, economic actors, and others implicated in struggle, conflict, or confrontation regarding the “sacrifice zone”?

The paper should be carefully planned, executed, and edited to demonstrate college-level research practices, evidence-based argumentation, writing quality, and critical thinking. To succeed in this assignment, students must develop it over the course of the term, beginning in the 3rd week of the semester. The course is designed to teach you the skills to accomplish this. Support for your research and writing takes the form of peer/group activities, workshops, preparatory assignments (the Proposal, and the Blog), peer review, instructor feedback, and instructor office hours.

In the paper, you must seriously engage at least 2 major course concepts (in addition to the concept of “sacrifice zone”), citing course texts and lectures as appropriate. In addition, you must draw on primary research, evidenced by at least 2 outside academic sources and at least 2 non-academic sources (e.g. media coverage of an event, magazine article, government report or data source, or primary-source collected data). We will address strategies on how to find, read, and critically engage these materials in class.

The final paper should be between 8-10 pages, double spaced, with Times New Roman 12-pt font, 1” margins, and have no extra space between paragraphs. In-text references and a corresponding “References” section must be present, and should follow a standard citation style, with a preference for ASA-style essays (Style Guidelines: https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/documents/teaching/pdfs/Quick_Tips_for_ASA_Style.pdf
(Links to an external site.)
).

Please see the assignment rubric below for details on how the paper will be evaluated and how points will be allocated.

Rubric
Final Research Paper
Final Research Paper
Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Writing, Style, and Mechanics
The paper has a title, introduction, body sections, and a discussion or conclusion which summarize the main argument and state some implications of the analysis.
The paper flows well from section to section and from paragraph to paragraph.
Paragraphs have clear topics and help to advance the argument.
Sources are correctly formatted in-text, and a References section is provided and formatted (ASA Style preferred).
The paper is free of grammatical errors, and is edited to remove errors in sentence structure, grammar/mechanics, and punctuation.
The paper is correctly formatted, and is within the allotted 8-10 page limit.

5.0 pts
Full Marks

0.0 pts
No Marks

5.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Use of Course Concepts, Outside Sources and Academic Literature
The paper substantially draws from course concepts (min. 2), and their use demonstrates a working knowledge of course themes.
The research paper meaningfully draws from outside (including 2 peer-reviewed academic sources) for data, evidence, framing, and/or ideas.

10.0 pts
Full Marks

0.0 pts
No Marks

10.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Sacrifice Zone: Evidence and Case
The paper demonstrates a substantial research effort, connecting data/evidence to the central concept of “sacrifice zone.”
The paper successfully defines the chosen case/situation as a “sacrifice zone,” and builds that case using empirical evidence, examples, and clearly cited data.

15.0 pts
Full Marks

0.0 pts
No Marks

15.0 pts

Total Points: 30.0