Paper Assignment
Students write a brief (5 page) paper assessing the arguments and
evidence surrounding a controversial issue in contemporary world politics.
Students may write on any issue of international relations or foreign
policy. A list of
suggested topics
is provided below.
The paper should review alternative points of view and then argue a position.
Students will submit the paper in draft form midway through the semester.
The final paper should incorporate your instructor's comments on the draft.
Late submissions are penalized.
The paper assignment contributes 20% to the final course grade.
Papers are evaluated according to five critieria:
- Presentation of opposing positions
- Quality of analysis of positions
- Effectiveness of argumentation
- Supporting evidence, references and research
- Writing style and clarity
Initial drafts and final versions are graded separately, with the final
version worth 60% of the paper grade.
Letter grades contribute the following point values.
| Grade | Draft | Final |
|---|
| A | 20 | 30 |
| A- | 19 | 28 |
| B+ | 18 | 26 |
| B | 17 | 24 |
| B- | 16 | 22 |
| C+ | 15 | 20 |
| C | 14 | 18 |
| C- | 13 | 16 |
| D+ | 12 | 14 |
| D | 11 | 12 |
| D- | 10 | 10 |
| E | 0 | 0 |
Is globalization a positive force?
Is free trade desireable?
Was the war with Iraq justified?
Should rich countries forgive the debt owed by poor countries?
Should the United States join the International Criminal Court?
Should the United States should withdraw from the United Nations?