Research Paper: Main Question: "how do muslim leaders and communities respond to honor killings in pakistan" Guidelines have been attached, ALSO i need you to add the Connections to class reading in

However, you are expected to do more than simply reading scholarly resources for your research . Depending on the expectations of your own speci alization areas or your individual research interests, you might want to do interviews, critical media analysis, critical discourse analysis, survey, mini -ethnography, or archival analysis. I will distribute more guidelines in mid -February. You will submit a research plan by no later than March 17, Monday midnight . If you cannot find any research theme to explore before that date, please let me know and we can brainstorm together on a potential topic that you would enjoy working on. Once you decide on your topic, you will begin your research, in other words, collec ting and analyzing data. I will share with you successful sample student research papers. Your essay will engage at least six different readings from the syllabus and six readings outside the syllabus . The expected length of the essay is between 5000 and 6000 words in MS format (double -spaced, 12 -point font). The deadline for submitting your paper is on May 11, Sunday midnight. This is a semester -long research project; not an end -of -the semester paper. So, do not wait for the end of the semester to research, think, and write about your project. Discuss your project with me, with your peers, and with your loved ones. Also be prepa red to provide insights about your project during in -class discussions and your discussion facilitation session. During the last meeting of the semester, we will not have any readings, and instead we will focus on your research. Each of you will present yo ur research projects and receive feedback from the class. Planning and Working on Your Project: Step by Step 1. Hav ing a Research Plan (5%): You must receive my final approval for your research plan ABSOLUTELY no later than March 2 4. To ensure you meet the deadline, you must submit your draft plan document latest by March 17 . Be prepared for revisions! If you have no idea about your project by March 10 , please immediately email me , and we can brainstorm together on a potential topic that you would enjoy working on. Please note that you cannot focus on a solely theoretical topic (e.g., How can we have more 2 inclusive system for the Muslim in the US ? or “What is the role of ethics in Muslim lives ?”) in your paper. You must examine a specific contemporary case study. The approval process is designed to ensure that you receive helpful feedback and suggestions from me in designing your project ☺ Your research plan must be approved on BlackBoard (Word document) by March 2 4. The plan must include the following ( please also see the sample research plan on BlackBoard ): a. Research topic. b. Research question. c. Proof of passion (explain in 3-5 sentences why you chose this project and why you care about it). d. Research method (s) you will use. e. A tentative list of in -class (minimum six) and outside academic readings (minimum six ) you will build on. Important Tips: Specificity is key to formulating a researchable research project based on what interests you most. First, come up with a research topic that interests you. Then, try to develop a specific research question that will guide your research process and your analysis. Is this a question that would keep you stimulated and excited for eight weeks ? Can you picture yourself preparing a long final paper at the end of the semester? Can you connect your project to our class readings and discussions? 2. Presenting Your Work (5%) : During the last meeting of the semester, on May 1 , we will not have any readings, and instead we will focus on your research. Each of you will present your research projects for 8-10 minutes, followed by 4 -6 minutes of feedback from the class. As a presenter, I encourage you to ask for feedback for specific parts of your paper, such as relevant readings, concepts , or approaches, the organization of your paper, or your conclusion section. In addition to presenting your work at the end of the semester, please be prepared to provide insights about your project during in -class discussions, your discussion facilitation session , and Discussion Board throughout April. Pillars of a Strong Paper & the Grading Rubric (20 points) : 1) Organization and Flow: (2) Please spend considerable time outlining your papers before you begin writing . Well -focused and well -flowing papers need a detailed outline. Make sure that your essay is divided into at least 3 -4 sub -sections in addition to the Introduction and Conclusion sections. Include a historical background section that provides a relevant context for your discussion. In that section, do not cover everything; focus on the current historical context to make your analysis understandable f or the reader. 2) Clearly stated research question and an argument : ( 1) State your central research question and argument both in the Introduction and the Conclusion sections. Make sure that these are clearly formulated. Remember that any paper is written for an “ignorant 3 audience.” You are not writing your essay for me, but for someone who has no idea about your research. So, be clear, specific, and informative. 3) Empirical richness : (5) Share your material and research findings under thematic/conceptual sub headings . Your material (both academic sources and your own research findings) should be rich enough to offer a solid answer to your research question and support your argument. Show that you have spent considerable time in reading and research. Do not try to lump in everything you read or found out. Instead, be selective in your discussion and examples to ensure that your conclusions are adequately evidenced. 4) Critical thinking skills : ( 4) Research paper is not a dull report or review of a topic. Demonstrate critical thinking skills throughout your analysis. Do not have any judgmental or simplifying conclusions, either positive or negative. Instead, show that you understand complexity of the topic . You must be able to tie your analyses to key scholarly debates and approaches in the study of “global Islams” and you must demonstrate that you can successfully apply/build on relevant scholarly critiques we have read throughout the semester . If you want, you might devise creative solutions or policies to address the problems you study in your paper; but this is not required. 5) Have organic conversations and critical engagements with relevant readings : ( 4) Do not view discussion related to the readings as a separate section. Instead, demonstrate that you organically use in -class and outside academic articles in analyzing your case throughout the paper. You might also reference the movies and documentaries we watch; however, they do not count toward the minimum number of sources you are expected to use. Make readings help you interpret your case study. Do not summarize them. Instead, use the readings to explain your own case study. Remember that the readings you use do not have to be about the same topic. They can be based on research from a different co ntext, yet their insights can be very relevant. You will mainly show that you can apply the analytical concepts and perspectives that we have discussed in the readings to your paper. Also, avoid long quotes from the readings. Around 4 -8 short quotes in total are OK. Try to write in your own words. 6) Integrating my feedback and feedback of your friends during the presentation : (2 points ) You do not have to incorporate all the feedback. Please demonstrate that you carefully considered all of them and built on their insights. 7) Writing etiquette and proper citation/references : ( 2) Decide on a citation system and follow this citation system consistently throughout the paper. Also, do not forget to polish your piece before submission. I recommend using a free version of the app Grammarly if you do not feel great at editing your work. Mason Writing Center also offers online meeting sessions to discuss your final papers. This is the only assignment where I expect you to demonstrate strong writing skills. Sharing a draft with me is not required. However, I can read and comment on your draft paper if you find that helpful.