Basic Programming Term Paper Assignment

Write a term paper that identifies and thoroughly explains a cyberterrorism-related danger faced by the United States in 2001. You must explain the threat on a level that could be understood by Mr. Minich's grandmother. Be as thorough as diligent research (magazine, Internet, books, etc.) allows you to be. You must include a Works Cited (bibliography) with at least 5 sources wherein one or more of your sources are non-Internet sources (i.e. magazine, journal, or book). In addition to explaining the danger itself, you must explain how vulnerable the nation is to the threat as well as steps that have been taken, are being taken, or could be taken to protect national interests. Either throughout your paper or in the conclusion, you must explain the significance of the threat, from YOUR point of view. This analysis is considered to be the thesis of your term paper and should be well-developed. You will be graded on how well-developed your thesis is in addition to the development of your content and the explanation of the threat itself.

Note that Pres. Clinton formed the Commission of Critical Infrastructure Protection in 1996 to deal with the heightened risk of cyberterrorism. There are also departments within the FBI, CIA, Air Force, and Secret Service that deal with such threats as well.

Be as specific and focused as possible when choosing your cyberterrorism-related topic. Topic ideas include hacking, viruses, electronic-spying, electronic warfare, e-commerce dangers, credit card number eavesdropping, etc.

The paper will be graded using the Wyomissing Area High School Writing Rubric. It must also follow these specifications.

• The paper (not including the Works Cited or attachments) must be 750 words or more (approximately 3 double-spaced pages with default fonts and 10 font size). Most students will probably need 4 or 5 pages to thoroughly explain the threat and their theses.
• It must be double-spaced with default MS Word margins.
• You must use a 10 font size.
• You must follow the established MLA Works Cited guidelines that can be found in the library. See Mr. Minich for a copy of MLA Internet source guidelines.
• You must include a cover page with the title of your paper, your name, & the date.
• Supporting pictures, attachments, diagrams, etc. are optional but could be effective in supporting your explanation and thesis.
• The paper is due on Friday, Feb. 2. You will lose one letter grade for each day that it is late.