In a chapter called “The Hate Debate,” Gerstenfeld gives her students a challenge: prove that hate crime laws are or are not constitutional. How would you answer? Critics of hate crime laws point out that the underlying offenses can always be prosecuted. As a result, they argue that hate crime laws are unnecessary. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Do not submit a first draft. Instead, re-read your draft to see whether the intro is too general (“In this paper I will discuss topic x…”), leaving your conclusion to do all the work (“In conclusion, therefore, I argue that …”). If that is what you have written, your draft is not ready to submit! Instead, rewrite the introduction to prepare the reader: “In this paper I will argue that…”).
The assignments are based on the assigned materials for the course. Your paper should reflect your understanding of these course materials.
The assignments are similar in structure but different in content. The four course objectives listed in the syllabus form the basis for these assignments. Working on these assignments will also prepare you for future presentations you may make to fellow CJ professionals.
Each assignment should be at least 1500 words long, and be organized as follows:
1. Introduction, including a bolded thesis statement
2. Supporting materials
3. Conclusion — the conclusion should remind the reader of the thesis statement
4. Works Cited (short citations in the text PLUS complete references at the end, even if you discuss only one source)
Clear thesis statement, good supporting material, followed by a conclusion that mirrors the introduction: A
