Me and my academic paper...

Hello everyone! Although the last few weeks were quite busy for me (exams, assignments, presentations etc. – I guess you know what I’m talking about!), I’ve finally found time to start working on my academic paper. Apart from my introduction and an approximate idea what the content will be like, I had almost nothing. In the days I tried to organize my sources – and I was more than successful! Thanks to our university’s online library, I could easily print out the three articles I need for my paper without having to go to the ‘real’ library and search for hours and hours for the magazines. The articles are quite long but easy to understand. So far, I’ve fully read two of them and excerpted the most useful parts. Concerning my online sources, I’ve skimmed through all of them but I still need to read them carefully in order to find out what I can use for my paper.  Reading my sources has definitely helped me to gain a better insight into my topic and to figure out what I can actually write about. I plan to start writing this weekend and to write at least 400 words so that I can enjoy the Christmas holidays without having to worry too much about my paper!

 

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all enjoy the last few days of 2013 and find time to relax!

Possible Topics for an Academic Paper

· 1.) Roma in the EU – A comparison between Belgium and France

Many European countries have problems with integrating Roma. While most countries deport them, Belgium sets a good example and offers Roma families cheap flats and their children free tuition. Also in France the “Roma issue” is of topical interest since every year thousands of Roma are expelled from the country. This has also caused a conflict between the EU and France as it is seen as an inhumane act and violates the human rights.

    2.) Women’s rights in the EU – Why do some countries allow women to wear a headscarf and some don’t?

 I’m sure you’ve all heard of the strict headscarf ban in French schools and public and other public institutions. However, in some other countries, like Great Britain, Muslim women are allowed to wear a veil at court. In my academic paper I’d like to write more about why different countries decide to ban headscarves and veils in public institutions and whether the EU can influence on this decision or not.

3.) Trade and import of live animals

As all the European countries are economically connected, they trade among themselves. One of these “goods” are often live animals, which have to endure a long and demanding journey, cooped up without any water or feed in trucks before they reach their final destination where they are slaughtered. I’ve always been interested in animal rights since I’m a rather health-conscious person and always want to know where my “Schnitzel” comes from.

4.) Development aid

The EU is one of the biggest and powerful organizations world-wide. With its power and money, the EU helps other countries in the Third World. However, the European development aid has also sparked off criticism as it is seen as inefficient and too slow. Some critics also claim that the EU only helps other countries in order to grow rich on it (for example buying the fishing rights of a country in Africa and overfishing its seas, lakes and rivers).

5.) The European Commission of Education and Culture and the Bologna Process

Another possible topic for my academic paper could be the European Commission of Education and Culture and how it influences our life at university. I’d like to concentrate myself especially on the Bologna Process and how it has changed Austrian universities.