Instructions: In this essay, students will identify the existing discourse for human rights. How you approach this topic is up to you! The goal, however, is to address at least the following issues:

What is a current discourse related to your issue? What is it that experts are talking about? You will need to be able to explain these opinions in your own words. At minimum, you must find two expert sources that are academically credible.
What is the unifying principle identified by you in the research body? In other words, what does research show about the key point of tension that exists in your selected topic, or common points of discussion by scholars/experts/researchers?
What is the significance of these existing ideas to your readers? Why do these ideas matter to your audience, and to the discourse as a whole?
This is designed to be an informative essay; rather than persuade the audience to follow a course of action to solve the problem, you will determine the current existing conversation on the subject. The key here is to find expert thoughts on the subject, rather than simply finding common thoughts. Avoid personal insight except to explain the significance of expert opinions on the subject matter. Again, the goal here is to demonstrate your understanding of the existing discourse community; we’re not here to argue a point, but rather to establish a base problem that needs to be addressed.

Research Requirements: This assignment requires at least four documented sources (either a primary source or a secondary source). You are forbidden from just using reference material or tertiary sources (dictionaries, encyclopedias, Wikipedia, Ask.com, or other reference sites). You are forbidden from using news or news magazine articles (Time Magazine, The Atlantic, daily newspapers, etc.). You are forbidden from using personal interviews. Any web sites used must meet the standards of academic rigor, meaning that a scholar would approve of the use of the site. At least two of the sources must be from the Valencia database. For information about how to access the database, click here.