POLS 107 – Introduction to International
Politics
Fall Quarter 2005
PROJECTS HANDOUT
A. Paradigm Critique Paper
1) Read all of the assigned reading for Weeks Two,
Three, and Four of the class syllabus and review your class notes.
2) Write a 5-8 page paper in which you compare, contrast,
and critique two international relations paradigms (Liberalism,
Realism, Radicalism, Feminism). In the course of your paper, you should
do the following:
a) Compare and contrast the fundamental
assumptions and the basic policy prescriptions of the two paradigms
that you select.
b) Elaborate on some of the assumptions
and/or policy prescriptions with arguments and/or quotes drawn from
course readings [NOTE: of particular utility are the readings found
in Essential Readings in World Politics].
c) Illustrate the fundamental differences
between the two paradigms by discussing how each would interpret the
U.S. response to the September 11th terrorist attacks (declaration
of “War on Terrorism”; overthrowing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan;
toppling the Iraqi government). What types of U.S. responses would
each paradigm suggest as most appropriate? [NOTE: This requires some
serious thinking on your part. I want to see here how well you understand
the paradigms and can apply them to a real-world situation].
[** If you need to review the U.S. response to the
September 11th terrorist attacks, I suggest you consult chapter nine
of Stoessinger’s Why Nations Go to War.]
d) Critique the two paradigms. What are
the strengths and weaknesses of each paradigm? What elements, if any,
of each paradigm do you find convincing? What elements, if any, do
you find unconvincing?
e) Conclude by stating your
own position: Which of the two paradigms do you identify with most strongly?
If neither, does one of the other paradigms more accurately
capture your world view? Why? [NOTE: Here I want you to be able to state
in a coherent and convincing fashion why you consider yourself
to be a liberal, a realist, a radical, or a feminist when analyzing
international relations.]
3) The paper is due by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 17, and will count
for 20% of the final course grade.
B. The International Event Project
1) Each student is to choose an international event
that is of particular interest to him or her (other than the U.S.
occupation of Iraq), and follow its development throughout the
course of the quarter by reading the New York Times.
2) Students are to compile a "journal" of
clippings on their chosen event from the New York Times. The
journal should consist of the actual articles or photocopies of the
articles taped neatly on sheets of paper in chronological order and
clearly marked with the date and page number of the article. Other newspapers
or news magazines may be included if the student wishes. The journal
is worth 5% of the final course grade
3) Students are to write a 5-8 page paper in which
they critically analyze their international event. The paper may consist
of either a normative or an empirical analysis. In either case, the
student should clearly articulate the question that they are addressing.
a) If the paper is a normative analysis, it should
clearly utilize one of the four paradigms examined in the course to
answer the normative question posed.
b) If the paper is an empirical analysis, it should
clearly specify which level of analysis – system, state, or individual
-- that it employs to answer the empirical question posed.
4) The analytical paper is worth 15% of the final course
grade.
5) The journal and the corresponding paper must both
be turned in by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 23.
|