Term Paper & Course Logistics: APA Format, Page Requirements, and Topic Selection

Office Hours, Meeting Formats, and Communication

• Five Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM are designated as office hours. The breakdown is:

  • Monday and Wednesday: office hours are virtual

  • Thursday: office hours are in person

  • In-person location: Lake Worth campus, Social Science Building, Room 207

• Additional availability:

  • If you need to speak in person, Monday and Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM are also available virtually via Team meeting if needed

  • On Thursdays, even if on campus, you can do a Team meeting or a phone call if you cannot be on campus

  • Outside the stated time frames, the professor may be available if they are, so feel free to ask

• Communication tips:

  • Bring questions or concerns early; avoid waiting until the last minute to ensure issues are resolved

• Important date reminder:

  • Monday is Labor Day; there is no class and the school is closed

  • When we return on Wednesday, there will be a list of topics for your research; you will choose from the list on Wednesday at 11:00 AM via a Google document

• Topic selection rules:

  • Each topic can have up to two students assigned to it

  • If two students have already selected a topic, a third student cannot select the same topic unless an exception is granted after speaking with the instructor

  • Jasmine example: if all list topics seem boring, you may propose your own topic; the proposed topic must be approved by the instructor

  • If you choose from the list, you will type your name next to the topic on the Google document; you may also propose your own topic, which then needs approval

• Course context:

  • This course includes a writing assignment called the Golden Rule requirement (a research paper)

  • The instructor has been at Palm Beach State for nearly fourteen years

• Summary of policy tone:

  • The instructor emphasizes flexibility and relevance, encouraging topics that align with the student’s major or interests while remaining connected to government content

Term Paper Overview and Timeline

• The term paper is a writing assessment under the Golden Rule requirement

• Historical note on paper length:

  • Originally, the paper was 10 pages, but it has been reduced over the years to a minimum of $5$ pages of content

• Key dates:

  • Paper due date: October $15$ (the date mentioned multiple times in the session)

• Page structure and total length:

  • Paper format: APA (not MLA)

  • Paper should be double-spaced with Times New Roman font

  • Paper components:

  • Title page (page 1)

  • Abstract (page 2)

  • Five pages of content (pages 3–7)

  • References (page 8)

  • Therefore, the minimum total length is $8$ pages (title page + abstract + 5 content pages + references)

• Clarifications given during the session:

  • The abstract introduces the research and states the purpose and what information will be included (acts as a brief thesis-like statement)

  • The introduction sets up the topic and may pull in content from the abstract; development (the five pages) expands the content

• Paper topic selection process:

  • A list of topics will be provided on Wednesday; you may choose from the list or propose your own topic with instructor approval

• Content vs. front matter:

  • The five pages of content do not include the title page, abstract, or references

• Topic relevance:

  • Topics must reflect the course content (state, national, or international government) and be tied to the student’s field of study or interests

• Topic examples (to illustrate how topics can connect to majors):

  • Marketing major: propaganda in media, how government uses marketing to influence public opinion, media’s role in shaping political views

  • Health sciences: government regulation of vaccination and healthcare systems, nurse-to-patient ratios and regulatory issues

  • Economics/CS: tariffs and government regulation; cybersecurity policy and its political implications

• Abstract vs introduction distinction (example):

  • Abstract: states the purpose, scope, and information included in the research (e.g., why studying Congress’s powers matters and what aspects will be covered)

  • Introduction: provides the context, outlines the framework (e.g., Constitution Article references, eligibility requirements for office), and leads into development

• Topic assignment and approval:

  • Even if a topic is on the list, the instructor must approve it

Paper Structure: APA Format Details

• Required format and sections:

  • Title page: Includes title, author name, department, institution, course, instructor, and date; centered, bold title, double-spaced

  • Abstract: Page 2; brief introduction to the paper’s purpose and scope

  • Content: Pages 3–7; five pages of writing exploring the topic in depth

  • References: Page 8; APA-formatted list of sources ordered alphabetically

• Page numbering:

  • All pages must be numbered in the upper-right corner

• Title page specifics (example shown in slides):

  • Title centered and bold on the first page

  • Author’s name, department, institution, course, instructor, and date listed as shown in the sample

• Length and content expectations:

  • Five pages of writing (content only) required, not counting title page, abstract, or references

  • Total minimum length with front matter: $8$ pages; you may write more if desired

• Abstract content specifics:

  • Introduces the paper and states the purpose of the research

  • Indicates what information will be included in the paper (your thesis or research focus)

• Introduction and development:

  • Introduction may reference what will be covered; development is the five pages of substantive writing

• Topic selection: expectations and flexibility:

  • List of topics provided Wednesday; you can select from the list or submit your own with approval

  • If your topic is not on the list, you must submit it for approval

• Important note on MLA vs APA:

  • Only APA format is acceptable for this course; MLA is not allowed

• Submission milestones:

  • There are two submission tabs under the assignment: Term Paper (Word doc preferred; Google Docs possible with access) and Term Paper Presentation

• Three attempts:

  • You have up to three submission attempts before the due date (October 15)

  • Early submissions can be revised if corrections are needed

• Presentation details:

  • Presentations are not required to be a PowerPoint; you can provide a voice-over presentation or a video recording

  • Presentation duration: 3–5 minutes minimum; you may speak longer if you have more content

  • Presentation scoring: 30 points (in addition to the 70 points for the written paper)

  • PowerPoint with voice-over is optional; a video recording is also acceptable

• Extra credit:

  • Presenting to the class can earn extra credit

• If you skip the presentation:

  • You forfeit the 30 points allocated to the presentation (you’ll receive 70% for the written paper)

Paper Organization: Headings and Style Guidelines

• Headings and subheadings:

  • Use headings to structure main ideas; each main idea should have a heading

  • Recommended minimum headings: 3–4, depending on the number of ideas

  • Each heading can contain multiple paragraphs

• Writing style tips:

  • APA style emphasizes paraphrasing, but direct quotes are allowed with proper citations

  • In-text citations are required whenever you reference someone else’s ideas

  • Avoid heavy reliance on direct quotes; paraphrase when possible

• In-text citations (APA) basics:

  • If a direct quote is fewer than 40 words, you can quote and cite (narrative or parenthetical)

  • If a direct quote is 40 words or more, use a block quote format (no quotation marks; indent 0.5 inches; double-spaced; place citation after the end of the block)

  • For quotes with multiple authors: use all if two or three authors; for three or more, use the first author et al.

  • If there is an unknown author, the title (and the organization as author if applicable) is used

• Paraphrasing and citation policy:

  • APA prioritizes paraphrasing over quotation, but both require proper citation

  • Do not plagiarize by failing to credit sources; AI usage will be discussed in class and may be flagged

• Handling sources and databases:

  • You can use online databases and sources beyond the Palm Beach State Library

  • Purdue OWL and Word’s reference features are recommended tools

  • A mixture of online sources is acceptable; a book is optional

• References page (APA):

  • Use the heading "References" (not "Works Cited")

  • Alphabetize entries from A to Z

  • All pages are numbered; the References page is page $8$ in the example

• Reference listing format:

  • Follow APA guidelines for journals, articles, websites, etc. (examples and guidance are provided in the slides)

Research and Topic Development: Prompts, Relevance, and Real-World Value

• Prompt guidance:

  • The research should address political science topics (state, national, or international government) and tie into your field of study when possible

  • Examples of cross-disciplinary topics were discussed to illustrate how various majors can intersect with political topics (e.g., marketing and propaganda, health care policy, cybersecurity and laws, economics and tariffs)

• Making topics interesting and personally relevant:

  • If you are passionate about your topic, you are more likely to produce strong work; flexibility is encouraged to align with your major

• The role of the topic list and self-proposals:

  • The list provides a starting point; you can propose your own topic for approval

• Concrete examples given during the session:

  • Propaganda in the media and its impact on public opinion; media’s role in agenda-setting

  • Government regulation of vaccination and health care systems

  • The impact of tariffs on import/export and government regulation

  • Cybersecurity policy and its political implications

Practical Logistics: Submissions, Access, and Resources

• Where to find slides and resources:

  • Slides are in the announcements and the syllabus; also accessible in the course modules

• File formats for submission:

  • Word is preferred; Google Docs are accepted if access is provided to the instructor

• Assignment structure in the LMS:

  • Term Paper: written document (Word or Google Doc)

  • Term Paper Presentation: the accompanying presentation file

• Extra notes on early work and revisions:

  • You have up to $3$ attempts before the final due date; you can revise on early submissions

• Additional help resources:

  • Purdue OWL as a reference guide

  • Word’s built-in referencing tools can assist with APA formatting

Quick Reference: Key Numbers and Dates

• Paper content: $5$ pages of writing

• Total paper length (including front matter): $8$ pages

• Paper due date: October $15$

• Points distribution: $70$ points for content + $30$ points for presentation = $100$ points total

• Presentation length: 3–5 minutes minimum (longer allowed)

• Topic limit per topic: maximum of two students per topic

• Attempts allowed: $3$ submission attempts

Common Questions and Clarifications

• Is the topic list required to be approved? Yes, all topics (including those on the list) require instructor approval for grading purposes

• Can I start early if I want to? Yes; you can start as early as allowed and submit for revision before the final due date

• Is MLA acceptable? No; APA format only

• What should the abstract include? A concise statement of the research purpose and the information that will be covered in the paper

• What should the introduction include? Context for the topic and a lead into the development of the five pages

• How should sources be integrated? Use in-text citations for all references; avoid plagiarism; paraphrase when possible and provide proper citations

• Are books required? No; sources can come from online databases; books are optional

• How is the presentation evaluated? It adds 30 points; you may choose a PowerPoint with voiceover or a video recording; not submitting the presentation costs you the 30 points

• Where can I find the APA guide? In the course announcements and syllabus; the guide is also accessible via the PowerPoint and the course modules

Quick Recap for Exam Preparation

• Know the key dates, page requirements, and formatting rules (APA, not MLA)

• Understand the difference between abstract, introduction, and development

• Be able to structure a paper with 3–4 headings at minimum and clear topic development

• Be prepared to justify topic choices based on course relevance and personal interests

• Remember the two-stage submission process: written paper (70%) and presentation (30%), with an optional but encouraged presentation for extra credit

• Have a plan for finding sources (databases, Purdue OWL, etc.) and for citing them correctly in-text and in the references section

• Prepare to discuss how your major can intersect with government topics to choose a compelling and relevant topic