Book Analysis Task Details

During the semester, students will read works by authors who employ a variety of disciplines to examine their topics. Students will submit six (6) book analyses throughout the semester. Each analysis should be two to three (2-3) pages. Students should use one (1) inch margins and twelve (12) point Times New Roman Font. These analyses should focus on whether or not the author or authors successfully used interdisciplinary approaches to address a topic(s). Also, students should include in their analyses whether or not a discussion of other disciplines could be useful for studying these topics. Students should justify the reasons for utilizing additional disciplines.
Students should not use any outside sources expect for that week’s assigned reading. Students do not need citations for these analyses since these analyses draw on the required books used in the course. In each analysis, students should use no more than two (2) quotations of ten (10) words or less. If students do not follow the quotation guidelines, then two (2) points will be deducted automatically from their grades. The emphasis is that students paraphrase the material. When students paraphrase the material, they must engage critically with the material, which leads to a more thorough understanding of the text.
Students should keep their analyses to the two to three (2-3) page limit. Analyses that exceed the length limit, that are under the minimum page requirement, or that do not follow all guidelines and requirements will reduce students’ grades by two (2) points. Any maps, charts, graphs, or other images should be in an Appendix and not within the text of the analyses. Students’ analyses should be in paragraph format. There should not be extensive lists of items, especially in column format, and there should not be extra space between paragraphs or anywhere in the analyses. Students should proofread their analyses before the due date, and analyses should be free generally of typographical errors and misspellings.
Criteria for Book Analyses=8 points each
Judge the author’s or authors’ successful use of interdisciplinary methods=3 points

Justify whether other disciplines would be useful in studying the topic=3 points

Proper use of grammar and clarity of writing=2 points