Research Paper - Choose Topic

For this assignment, write a paragraph describing the the research idea that, in consultation with me during office hours, you have chosen as the subject of your research paper. This paragraph should contain your research question

The topic you choose should be related to the conflict, though I am flexible with what that means. Students have written papers on subjects directly related to both sides of the conflict (e.g. on a particular war or the psychological consequences of the conflict), focusing on a single side of the conflict (e.g. the religious-secular divide in Israeli society, conflict-related Israeli NGOs, or the current state of water supply in the Gaza strip), as well as on topics indirectly related to the conflict (e.g. evangelical support of Israel in the US or the way in which the Abraham Accords were covered in regional media sources).

By the end of the class, you will have produced a research paper of at least 3,000 words (roughly 12 pages) in length. Keep this target length in mind as you are thinking through potential topics. Generally, the best papers focus on a research question that is focused enough (e.g. on a small period of time or on a specific entity) to be discussed in 3,000 words while also having enough uncertainty about the answer (e.g. not a factual question such as "who won the 1967 war?") so that the student can provide their own unique argument.

I am okay with students doing a group paper, but in that case the word requirement will be higher. Please contact me about this during office hours if you are interested in this option.

Office hours consultation (2 points)

I will keep a record of who comes in to talk with me before the due date, and you will earn two points for doing so.

Paragraph summary (1 point)

Unless the summary is completely unrelated to what we discussed/the conflict or does not contain a research question, you will earn full credit for turning in a paragraph.