Guidelines for independent writing projects
Advanced Topics in Contracts and Commercial Law
L9469, Spring 2008
Professor Avery W. Katz
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Guidelines for optional term paper

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Students enrolled in this seminar have the option of writing a term paper, to be completed on an independent research basis in the subsequent semester. Successfully completed papers can be used to satisfy the CLS major or minor writing requirement and will also entitle the author to an additional point of academic credit.  Students wishing to exercise this option should submit a written proposal describing their project by mid-semester, and a more detailed outline by the end of the semester. The paper itself will be due by the end of the spring semester.

More specifically, in order to earn Major Writing Credit in association with this seminar, you must submit:

  • By November 1:  A written proposal (1-2 pages) describing your project and providing a preliminary bibliography of sources on which you plan to rely.  The proposal should provide some general background to the subject on which you propose to write, identify the contribution you hope to make to the existing literature, and explain why this would be a worthwhile undertaking. It should also include a preliminary bibliography of sources.
  • By the end of the fall 2003 semester:  A detailed outline of the paper (3-5 pages), indicating its overall structure and the main issues you plan to discuss, along with a reasonably complete bibliography.
  • By the middle of the spring 2004 semester:  A first draft of the paper, with introduction, conclusion, and all textual sections completed. Footnotes need not be complete at this stage.
  • By the final week of the spring 2004 semester:  A completed second draft of the paper, reflecting and responding to comments that you receive from me on the first draft.

In order to earn Minor Writing Credit  in association with this seminar, you must submit:

  • By November 1:  A written proposal describing your project and providing a preliminary bibliography.
  • By the end of the fall 2003 semester:  A detailed outline of the paper (3-5 pages), indicating its overall structure and the main issues you plan to discuss, along with a reasonably complete bibliography.
  • By  the final week of the spring 2004 semester: a completed draft of the paper.

At each of these stages, we will meet and consult on the work needed to proceed to the next stage. I am also available to consult with you on the preparation of an initial proposal, but (in response to requests I have received in past semesters) I will not supply you with suggested topics. In my view, identifying and developing an appropriate topic is a critical part of satisfying the writing requirement.

Both Writing Credits must be registered separately with Academic Services using L6675 (Major Writing Credit) or L6672 (Minor Writing Credit) . For further details, you may consult the Academic Services webpage, at http://www.law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/writing