The purpose of this position paper is to help you synthesize the knowledge you have learned in Unit 1 through an engagement with a scholarly debate. It will also help you to practice your skills of constructing logical and persuasive messages.

Topic: Is romantic love universal or culturally specific?
Our class started with the debate about the universality of romantic love. We have also examined
cultural variations in ideas and practices regarding love, sexuality, marriage, and expressions of intimacy,
as well as global ideological shifts in marital ideals. Considering all the cultural variations and universal
patterns, how do you evaluate the debate about the universality of romantic love? Explain your position
with reference to some of our course readings and examples.
Structure:
Your paper should be about 3 pages in length (excluding references) and include an introduction, a
cohesive main body, and a conclusion. The body of your paper should include the elements described
below, although you can decide the order in which you present them. For example, you may choose to
begin with supporting claims and evidence followed by opposing claim and evidence and refutation, or
you may begin with opposing evidence followed by refutation and supporting evidence.
Supporting Claims and Evidence:
In this portion of the paper, you will present the side of the issue you believe to be the stronger
side. You will prove your point by presenting claims and evidence which support your position (Romantic love is
universal or romantic love is culturally specific). You need to develop three claims (not three examples or readings,
see Additional Notes below) which you believe prove that this perspective on or side of, the argument is
the correct perspective.
To do that, you need to research the issue of romantic love and present evidence which
supports: (a) your belief that this claim is relevant to the issue; (b) your belief that this claim proves the
larger argument (RL is universal or RL is culturally specific) is accurate and correct; and (c) your belief
that this claim is based on sound information or interpretation of the available information. Explain WHY
you think the information you present proves your point.
Opposing Claims and Evidence:
While you may believe your perspective is correct, there is obviously another side of the issue,
and there are people, including scholars, who agree with this other side. What are the best two or three
claims (supported by evidence) they can construct to prove THEY are correct? Note: you don’t have to
agree with them. Present the information as precisely what it is – the other side. You don’t have to say
you agree with it – say THEY believe this to be a strong argument, based on your research about
whatever factors are most important to them.
You need to use the same criteria to develop these claims as you did to develop the ones
supporting your own point of view. Is the claim relevant? Is it accurate and correct? Is it based on sound
information? Remember, explain why they believe this proves them correct.
Refutation:
In the portion of the paper, you will take the two or three claims of the opposing side, and
explain what is wrong with them. Why you were not convinced? What is the weakness in the argument?
Is it based on faulty information? Is it based on faulty or biased assumptions? Is it coming from a worldview that is too narrow? Did they miss the big picture? What was wrong with it? NOTE: this is NOT just a restating of your supporting side; your refutation arguments must be tailored to specifically address the weakness(es) of the opposing arguments.

This is an opportunity for you to reflect on all that you have learned and to make connections between
topics and geographical locations. Aim for depth, thoughtfulness, and specificity. Keep quoting to a
minimum. Focus on developing your own arguments and voice rather than simply summarizing different
readings. Also, avoid both errors of commission (stating that which is incorrect) and errors of omission
(not including something pertinent to your argument).
Additional Notes:
1. Romantic love does not equal marriage or sex, although in some cultures, RL and marriage go
hand in hand, such as in the U.S. The topic is about whether romantic love is universal or
culturally specific, not marriage systems.
2. Claims are essentially arguments, which can be supported by different examples, evidence, and
information. Claims can be developed through either inductive reasoning or deductive
reasoning. A good way to evaluate whether a statement is a claim/argument is to ask yourself
whether you can disagree with it.
• An example of a claim: RL flourishes in societies with intense social pressure and where
kinship is central, but generally outside formal structures of family.
• Examples of evidence that supports the claim: the love suicide plays of Tokugawa Japan,
the literary tradition in the Middle East, the court society of Louis XIV, etc. (Lindholm, 1998) Please use at least one of these examples!