Undergraduate level thesis. Needs one page as the abstract. Thesis Topic: Parents who allow their children to be abused should be punished just as Harish as their abusers because they are just as responsible. The main requirement of the course is a guided independent research project on a topic you choose in consultation with me. Of course, the goal of any research project, large or small, is to join the wider conversation that''s going on about a given topic. In other words, instead of simply relying upon your own store of knowledge and experiences, you utilize the library and other means to inform yourself about what other people are saying, too. Through this research process--finding, reading, and evaluating sources--you become an informed participant in the conversation. By writing your essay, you actually enter the conversation by presenting your findings and articulating an informed opinion about a particular issue. Remember your paper must be presented as an argument. In other words, your thesis and evidence must define and support a position that a reasonable person could disagree with--not simply inform us about a topic. For example, describing the nature of the Chicago Public School reforms in the 1990s is informative, but not by itself argumentative. You would need to assess those reforms: how effective have they been? How might they be built upon to ensure continuous improvement in student performance? Have they had any negative side-effects, such as strained relations between teachers and administrators? By asking these types of questions, you''ll begin the process of framing your position and articulating a thesis. The contestable (i.e. arguable) element of your thesis should be readily apparent at this point. Also, note any potential issues or problems you may encounter. Here is a template to keep in mind: 1) Title Page (required); 2) Table of Contents 3) Table of Figures 4) Text (including an introduction, body, and conclusion of 20-25 pages) (required); 5) Appendices 6) Works Cited/Bibliography/References (required) ! Assignment Style: • All assignments must be typed. • Include your name, phone number(s), email address, and fax (if available) on every submitted assignment. • 12-point font, preferably Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana, or other easy-to-read font. • 1” margins. • Double-space all assignments. • Indent the first line of each new paragraph. • No extra spaces in between paragraphs. • All footnotes must be single spaced, and in 10 pt. font (footnote text). • Bibliography/Works Cited in proper alphabetical order.