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In this multi-step assignment, students work toward a final paper (1500-2100 words, approx. 6-9 pages) that puts one or more of the course’s four streams of thought on war and peace (pacifism, holy war, just war, and/or just peacemaking) in conversation with an historical case study. The final paper will draw on student research, will defend a thesis, and will analyze the case study in light of the stream or the stream in light of the case study. As stepping stones to the final paper, students will complete several very short writing assignments—a proposal, an initial case analysis essay, two stream analysis essays, and an outline. More information will be given about each component of the project, but the basic requirements, their point values, and their due dates are below.
Part I—Proposal (40 pts).
Students will submit a proposal in which they (a) identify the case study they will examine, (b) identify two streams about which they will write (see Parts III and IV below), (c) discuss one or more things that they think are interesting about the case, (d) identify one or more question they hope to examine in their paper, and (e) compose an initial bibliography of at least 5 sources in Chicago “notes-bibliography” style. The proposal (not counting bibliography) must be 250-350 words, and is due 5pm Monday Jan. 30
Part II—Case Analysis Essay (100 pts).
Students will write a short essay describing their chosen case, including the most significant events, contexts, major players, and outcomes. The essay should (a) provide initial answers to the standard historical questions—who, what, where, when, why—and (b) report on any additional information that you think may be relevant to the analysis you’ll do in your final paper. Your essay must also (c) draw on at least 3 sources, one or more of which must be from a peer-reviewed journal or academic book. You must (d) include an annotated bibliography. The essay must be 400-600 words (not counting annotated bibliography), and is due 5pm Wednesday Feb. 8.
Parts III-IV—Two Stream Analysis Essays (100 pts each = 200 pts).
Students will choose two streams (pacifism, holy war, just war, or just peacemaking) to research and analyze in conversation with the case study, and will write a short essay on each, including an annotated bibliography. More information about these essays will be given in writing and in class. Each essay must be 400-600 words (not counting annotated bibliography). Due dates are: Pacifism due 5pm Fri Feb 24. Holy War due 5pm Wed March 15. Just War due 5pm Wed March 29. Just Peacemaking due 5pm Tues Apr 11.
Part V—Outline of Final Paper (60 pts).
Students will (a) submit an outline of their final paper [40 pts], (b) present it to a small group of classmates [10 pts], and (c) comment on Moodle on the feedback they received [10 pts]. Students will normally receive full credit for Part V as long as each component is complete and submitted on time. The Outline is due 11am Mon Apr 17. Part VI—Final Paper (200 pts). Students will write a Final Paper (1500-2100 words, approx. 6-9 pages) that puts one or more of the course’s four streams of thought on war and peace (pacifism, holy war, just war, and/or just peacemaking) in conversation with an historical case study. The final paper will draw on student research to defend a thesis that analyzes the student’s chosen case in light of their chosen stream(s), or that analyzes the stream in light of the case. More information about the Final Paper will be given in class and in writing. It is due 7pm Tues Apr 25.
Avoiding Plagiarism from PALNI on Vimeo.
