human resource economic 1
1.
Papers should be about 1,200-1,500 words or about 5 pages of text (not including
references); double-spaced, 12 pitch font.
Number your pages and include a cover page
with a title.
2.
You may pick a topic from the following list, or choose your own topic in consultation with
me (contact me by
October 31
if
you are proposing your own topic). Additional topics may
be suggested in class. Your topic should be something that interests you!
3.
Papers should provide an overview of a particular topic, based on reading relevant literature.
Your discussion must go beyond what was covered in class. You may also interview
someone, but
you must talk to me about this first
.
4.
You are expected to have
6-8 good sources, at least 2 of which should be from academic
journals
. Choose carefully and consult me if you are in doubt. I expect you to use academic
sources (journal articles, books, research reports from reputable organizations, government
documents). Restrict your use of newspaper/magazine articles and non-refereed internet
sources. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source (though it may be used to find other sources).
Include recent publications (since 2013) whenever possible. I expect you to consult the
‘Additional Articles’ folder and web links on Brightspace for relevant material and check the
government sources identified in the assignment or in class.
In addition, at least
two items
should be ones you found on your own.
Use the library Research Resources Databases and
ask for help.
I am willing to review your source list and provide suggestions/comments
up until November 5
th
(email it to me, or bring it to office hours).
5.
Papers
must
include citations throughout the text
and
a complete reference list at the end.
Use the
APA style
(parenthetic citation method) standard in social sciences for in-text
citations (author, date, page; in brackets) and reference list at the end. Include explanatory
footnotes or endnotes if needed. For internet sources include standard reference information
(author, date, title, organization etc.) where possible. Do NOT just put down a URL. Any
material taken from another source,
whether or not it is a direct quote
, must have a citation.
Quotes must be in quotation marks or indented (if long). Tables taken from another source
must include a citation for
that
source. Include page numbers for quotes and other specific
information like tables. Please see the Writing Centre (
www.smu.ca/academic/writingcentre
)
and Library for handouts and on-line resources on referencing (including the Sobey School
of Business Style Manual, which uses the APA style – on Brightspace under ‘Term Paper’).
6.
You must use your own words. Papers will be submitted to
Turnitin.com
to help identify
material which is not properly cited or is directly copied. Plagiarism will result in a
recommended
zero
grade for the paper (see the course outline and the
Academic Calendar
for
the University policy and process on plagiarism and the Academic Integrity booklet posted
on Blackboard under ‘Term Paper’). Examples of plagiarism include using a paper written
by another student, copying material from any published or unpublished source without
proper in-text citation, and recycling your own paper from another course (unless you have
prior permission from
both
instructors).
7.
Papers are due
November 18
th
(to Turnitin, plus a hard copy to me)
.
Late papers will be
penalized
.5 point per day
(out of 20).
8.
Papers will be evaluated equally on three aspects: Research (collecting information),
Analysis (organization and synthesis of information, clarity of your argument) and Writing
(grammar, spelling, references, etc.). Consult the Writing Centre if you need advice.
S
UGGESTED
T
OPICS
1.
Discuss broad-based initiative(s) to improve earnings, such as the $15/hour minimum wage
movement and/or the living wage movement. Examples? Impact? Why are they popular
today? Role of unions?
2.
Review the issue of sexual harassment in the Canadian military, including the findings and
recommendations of the External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in
the Canadian Armed Forces (Deschamps report, 2015)
and
follow-up initiatives and
evaluations. See also the Stat Can study of sexual misconduct in the armed forces.
3.
Provide an overview of
one
union in Canada in terms of their challenges and initiatives,
relating this to issues discussed in the course.
4.
Examine the status and challenges faced by women in
ONE
particular type of work in
Canada
(e.g., women in management, trades, academia, accounting, law, STEM fields,
military; self-employment/entrepreneurship…). You may choose another country, with
permission.
5.
Examine the status and challenges faced by
visible minorities
in the Canadian labour
market. You may focus on one group.
6.
Examine the impact of children on women’s earnings (see articles on the ‘mommy’ or
‘motherhood’ gap). Include a discussion of policies/practices that might reduce this gap.
7.
Review research on earnings differentials based on sexual orientation (compared to
heterosexual). Note: findings differ for men and women – you may focus on one group if you
want.
8.
If Canada is not your home, apply some aspect(s) of the course material to your own country.
Please consult with me on this.
9.
Review research on how well immigrants do in the Canadian labour market compared to
Canadian born workers and earlier cohorts of immigrants.
10.
Discuss the challenges in Atlantic Canada for attracting immigrants and give an overview of
the Atlantic Immigration Pilot project and its success thus fa
