Critical Approaches to Economic Inequality in Canada

General Information: The final paper is an analytical paper where you will apply course
material to critically analyse a current issue of economic inequality in Canada and how it is
presented in a news article.
The weight of the assignment is 30% of your total grade and is to be submitted in-class (or the
departmental drop box – Loeb B750 – before 4pm on the due date). Late papers are subject to
a 5% late penalty per day.
Learning Objectives:
– Construct a question and argument for an analytical paper.

– Identify and explain key concepts covered in this course.
– Apply course material to critically analyse a current issue.
– Develop critical thinking, analytical, and academic writing skills.
Technical Requirements:
– 8 – 10 pages double spaced
– Typed, standard margins/font, numbered pages
– You need a separate title page with a creative title
– Sources: minimum 5 academic sources, with at least 3 sources being course readings. In
addition, you will need 1 news article (on your economic inequality issue).
o You do not need to include any external sources (all 5 sources could be from the
course), but if you do then they should be used to supplement course material or
to cite a specific claim that you are making. For example, if you are applying the
key concept of “social closure” to your analysis, the external source could be
another article on Weberian theory and social closure.
o Lecture notes can be used to supplement the required sources but not substitute
them.
– References: APA style, both in-text and in the bibliography. The bibliography does not
have to be on a separate page.
Guidelines: Drawing on course concepts, the paper will present a critical analysis of the current
issue (within 8 months in Canada) and how it is presented in a news article. The paper will need
to include a description of the current issue, followed by an analysis of the issue. A strong paper
will clearly identify course concepts, define/explain them, and apply the concepts.

Note: A critical analysis means that you are not summarizing the key ideas as presented in the
news article. Rather, you are applying course material to develop your own analysis of the issue
that goes beyond taking for granted what is presented.
Note: The focus of the paper should be on applying course concepts to critically analyze the
current issue, not a research paper about the current issue. So, for example, how can the
concept of X be used as a lens to critically analyze the issue.
Format: As this is a formal paper, you will need an introduction and conclusion. The writing
needs to be academic (academic tone, proper paragraph and sentence structuring) and well
edited for clarity and spelling/grammar.