Skip to Main Content

CPLT 201W: World Literature and the Idea of Cosmopolitanism

This guide is designed to help students in Dr. Kingston's Spring 2023 semester class with their research.

Final Assignment

Final Research Paper (≥ 6 pages): There will be no final exam for this course. Instead, this final research paper will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you have gained throughout the semester. I will provide a choice of open-ended prompts asking you to compare at least two representations of cosmopolitanism using texts drawn from our syllabus as well as texts that you find on your own through research. As a piece of formal academic writing, your paper will require several scholarly sources, appropriate citation, critical and original thinking, coherent composition, and a polished argument. We will discuss this assignment more as the semester progresses, and you will be encouraged to meet with me during office hours to discuss your paper topic. This assignment will include a one-page, annotated paper proposal. Further details will be included in a separate assignment sheet.

Due 5/1 at 11:59 pm

Choosing Your Topic

Choosing a research topic can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you get started with selecting and developing your topic.

Brainstorm - Brainstorm different areas of interest and topic ideas. You can check the following places for inspiration.

  • Your class syllabus and class readings - looks for themes and ideas that interest you
  • Check the news and run a web search - browse online for current events or content that seems interesting
  • Browse our library databases - test out topic ideas and see what you discover

Explore and test out your topic idea - try searching for your topic online and in library databases to see what you find. Are you finding information that you can use for your research assignment? Is what you are finding interesting to you?

Scope your topic - sometimes a topic can be too broad or too narrow to start. Refine your topic with these tips

  • Narrow topics - if you aren't finding information, think about ways to broaden or expand your idea. What are some larger themes or concepts that you could explore in your topic?
  • Broad topics - if you are overwhelmed with search results and feel that your sources are all over the place, think about how you can narrow things down. Is there a specific detail, place, person, event, etc. that you can focus on for your research?

Talk to an expert -  Contact your librarian. Research which faculty members and graduate students at Emory specialize in the area you are researching. Reach out via email and see if they have the time to chat with you about resources, texts, or authors you should look into while you are researching your topic. While they may not be able to read your research proposal they will be able to recommend additional reading to help you develop your research topic.