In this seminar you will write and present a term paper. The term paper is a training exercise: it prepares you to write longer, more complex texts later in the future. The term paper is an argued text and has two major functions: it presents information (expository function) and it takes a stand on that information (argumentative function). This mix of exposition and argumentation will play an important role in many texts you will write in the future (in academia and outside). The term paper ought to be well-written, analytical, organized, and well-researched.

You will also present your term paper to fellow participants. Such a presentation requires additional skills. You have to convey the main message of the term paper in a short presentation. Therefore, you necessarily have to focus on some aspects and leave out others. The relevant skill here is to give a presentation that can stand alone, with a logical thread running through. At the same time, of course, the presentation needs to be appropriately connected to the term paper.