weekly writing assignment

Each week, you are asked to write a 1-2 pages (2 pages maximum) summarizing a topic related to the course material covered that week. For example, for the Week 12 Short Writing Assignment, I would like you to summarize a topic related to the material covered in Week 12. You must write about a different topic each week. 

The purpose of these writing assignments is to encourage you to keep up with the course material and avoid cramming before assignments or the final exam.

You are free to choose any topic related to the course material for that week. In the past, students have followed one of two strategies for their weekly writing assignments. One strategy involves summarizing multiple topics from the course material without going into depth on any one topic (because of the strict page limit). A second strategy involves focusing on one topic from the week in question and going into more depth. Both are strategies acceptable.

Importantly, your summary should be *in your own words* and not copy/paste/repeat phrases or equations from the course lecture slides. Students that violate the university’s academic integrity policies (e.g. plagiarism) will automatically receive a grade of 0 and will be referred to the Faculty of Social Sciences.  Assignments will be checked using Turnitin.com in order to detect plagiarism.

You will be graded both on what you write (i.e. content) and on the writing itself (i.e. spelling, grammar, organization and style). Assignments that demonstrate an understanding of the course material for that week and are written well should expect to receive a 4/5. Submissions that are not well written and/or that do not demonstrate an understanding of the course material will receive a grade of 3/5 or less. To receive a grade of 4.5/5 or 5/5, assignments must go above and beyond by providing insights/analysis that go beyond what is discussed in the lecture videos and the tutorials or that link the course material to real-world policy debates.