LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY

History 232

Writing Assignment on Human Rights

Choose a topic on some aspect of human rights in any Latin American country. You might choose a topic related to military regimes, death squads, rights of children or women, gays or native peoples.

Regardless of your topic, you must follow these steps. First, choose two books, at least one article (either in print as a chapter in a book, a journal article, or a web document--check JSTOR on the library web site) as well as appropriate web sites. You must write down your choices and obtain my approval. We will meet during the fifth week of class. Then, read the books, articles and other sources. Finally, write the paper and turn it in on time.

Your paper must have an introductory paragraph that explains your topic and states what your main point is. Then you will explain this with specific examples taken from your readings, using short quotes and telling how each example illustrates your main point. You will base all your opinions on the information you learned in the readings and have a paragraph in conclusion that brings your argument into focus for the reader (me). I will grade the paper on how well you make your arguments, how well you use the readings and how well you have followed the process of showing me your readings and rough draft. You will also list a bibliography at the end of your paper. You may use the MLA (Modern Language Association) method of citation by putting the name of the author and the page number in parenthesis in the text rather than the Chicago style of footnotes.

Please let me know if you have questions or problems at any stage in this assignment. It is better to start thinking about the assignment early, so that you have plenty of time to decide on readings and get the. Writing your rough draft will also take time, but it will give you the chance to think through your ideas and clarify them. In our last week we will share our findings, and explore the various approaches you all have taken.