Dr. Dean Taciuch
George Mason University
Spring 2012
Honors 353: 005 & 008
Technology in Contemporary Society
Essay 3 (Research Paper)
Choose a recent technological development, discovery, or breakthrough, and
begin researching it. The topics are not limited to Genetics, Nanotechnology,
or Robotics; you may choose topics in fields such as communication technology,
gaming, green technology, etc.
As you begin researching the topic, you will need to develop a research question.
As you continue your research, you will try to answer it.
Some
suggestions
- What are its social or cultural implications?
- What are the dangers?
- How far along is it, and what is holding back the development?
The paper should have three sections:
- Introduction (1-2 pages): Provides backgrounds, history and context of
the issue you are researching. Poses the research question, and perhaps a
preliminary answer (thesis)
- Body/Literature Review (6-7 pages): Provides a synthesis of the current
research on the topic. A Literature Review should be organized by topic,
not by source. Look for points of consensus and agreement, as well as points
of controversy and dispute.
- Conclusion (1-2 pages): Provides an answer to your research question. The
answer may be tentative (in fact, it should not be a simple yes or no), and
it must be based on your analysis of the material presented in the body of
the paper.
The paper should be approximately 10 pages (double-spaced), incorporating
8-12 sources. Any citation
style is acceptable, although I prefer MLA.
Due May 3rd
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