10 pg research

RESEARCH PAPER:  “Why is New Mexico poor and what should be done about it?

Due Thursday April 15^th.  Letter grade lost for each day late.

A 10-page paper.  Worth 10% of your grade

Format:

            1)  Double-spaced, use a 12 font.

            2)  1 ½” margins on left, 1” margins elsewhere.

            3)  At least 8 sources – half must be from sources other than the Internet.

4)  Citation style – no footnotes, use the following: (Jones 1990) when using general background information, (Jones 1990, p. 8) when citing a specific fact or using a quote from a certain page.  Then list your sources in any standard format in alphabetical order in a bibliography at the end of the paper.

            5)  No Wikipedia sources allowed – a letter grade deducted if you use this

            6) Indent and single-space long quotes (avoid using too many).

Research Paper Topic:  “Why is New Mexico poor and what should be done about it?

Part 1)   How did this happen?  (7 pages)

            Discuss how geography helps explain why New Mexico is a poor state. 

Part 2)   What should we do about it?  (3 pages)

            Give your opinion on how we can improve economic conditions in New Mexico.

Discussion: 

In Part 1 analyze New Mexico’s historical and cultural geography for reasons for why poverty is so common here.  Use historical/cultural facts and demographic/income figures. 

New Mexico has been claimed by various Indian nations, Spain, Mexico, and the United States.   

As a result, New Mexicans often hold very different beliefs about whose place this is and how life should be lived.  What are some of those core beliefs?  Cultural diversity is a wonderful part of living here, but does this limit New Mexican’s ability to agree on how we can create a more prosperous future? 

In Part 2 provide and briefly explain a thoughtful set of recommendations for what can be done to reduce poverty in the state.  A huge variety of topics might be considered including:  reducing social/cultural conflicts, improving educational achievement, changing tax policies, altering economic development and energy development strategies, and reforming U.S.-Mexico Border laws

–       Be creative and factual.

–       There are no wrong opinions if you provide evidence and use reason.

–       You will never be marked down for your political point of view

The best papers must show evidence that you thought about this topic and made a sincere effort.