GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT ASSIGNMENT
Shaping the Future of New York City
HNRS 226W/Spring 2012
Prof. Alex Reichl
For this assignment you will work in small groups to conduct research on a public policy issue facing New York City today. Each group will be required to: 1) produce a 25-30-page research paper (typed, double-spaced text); and 2) present its research in class, and at the MHC final common event (an academic-style conference). Instructions for the paper are below (information on the presentations will be provided in class).
Content: The purpose of your paper is to develop an informed analysis and general policy recommendation(s) regarding your issue. In order to accomplish this, your paper should discuss the following (in a way that makes sense):
- The issue and its significance for the city;
- Relevant scholarly research;
- Background/historical context;
- Policy options and debates;
- Relevant data and evidence (graphs, tables, maps, etc. can help);
- Public officials/policymakers and the political/policymaking process;
- Stakeholders (people/groups) involved and/or affected;
- Political conflicts and political considerations;
- The thesis, or argument, you are making (see Harvey, “Elements of an Academic Essay” on blackboard course documents).
Sources: You are required to have a minimum of 20 sources, including at least five scholarly works (books and/or scholarly journal articles). Recommended sources include (but are not limited to):
- Newspapers and news magazines (New York Times, Village Voice, etc.);
- Internet reporting (www.gothamgazette.com; www.citylimits.org; etc);
- Government documents (from city agencies such as the Dept. of City Planning, Dept. of Education, etc. – see www.nyc.gov for links);
- Independent reports (from the Independent Budget Office; Center for an Urban Future; etc.);
- Stakeholder websites (e.g., www.goodjobsny.org; www.transalt.org; etc.);
- Books;
- Academic journals (Journal of Urban Affairs; Urban Affairs Review; etc);
- Online data sets (www.infoshare.org; www.socialexplorer.com; etc.);
- Personal interviews (not required).
Deadlines:
April 2: bibliography and outline
April 27: first draft
May 2: presentations in class
May 6, 8, 9, or 10: presentations at MHC (final common event)
May 14: final papers due
Grading:
The group research project will count for 40% of your semester grade. Half of this grade will be based on the paper/presentations of the group as a whole, and half will be based on your individual contribution to the paper/presentations. Each paper should include a ‘credits’ section that describes each group member’s contribution.
To avoid plagiarism, you must cite sources for all quotes, paraphrased passages, and information and ideas that are not common knowledge (see Blackboard external links for guidelines on citing sources properly). In general you should write in your own words and use quotes sparingly (and paraphrasing rarely). All papers must be uploaded to Safeassign (Blackboard) in addition to hard copy submission.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. Remember, I am always glad to help!
