Guidelines for Research Proposal and Paper
The paper should ask an interesting question that is clearly relevant to the content of this course (i.e. international relations, broadly construed). Be sure that your question is answerable (or at least accessible to meaningful consideration) within the time and space limits of the assignment. A helpful way to begin might be by asking. What is relevant to the international relations of X, Y, or Z? In doing so, you can look at an issue, idea, or institution, or set of relations between one country and others. Whatever your approach, dont be merely descriptive or historical. Rather, aim for an analytical and reflective approach that culminates in an argument. In other words, papers should express your own thoughts on the topic, not just what you have found in the writings of others. Moreover, a good strategy would be to lay out the terrain of debate by emphasizing diverse ways to understand the idea or the issue in question. Dive into these controversies and articulate the standpoints of diverse perspectives, even if they challenge your own views on the topic. Whatever your approach, be sure to ultimately take a clear position, present evidence and reasoning to support your views, consider challenges to your argument, and revise your claims in light of counterarguments.
The research proposal is (1) page long. The proposal should have a research question (printed clearly at the top of the page) and a paragraph sketching out how you think youll answer it. Please also include in your proposal a working bibliography, with at least five references to sources that you think may be useful (at least three of which should be from scholarly sources). Course literature, of course, is available for your use, and some papers may not end up using material from outside the syllabus. Other topics will. But be inspired, above all, to write something on which you are sincerely passionate and would like to learn more about. Keep in mind that this proposal is a living document and may change as it unfolds. Due October 26.
An introductory paragraph, thesis, and outline is due November 23. The research paper is 7- 8 pages long, double-spaced (with 1-inch margins), and should have a full bibliography. Due December 2.
Presentations begin December 2. Presentations will be 5-10 minutes long and include Q&A. Put together 3-5 PowerPoint slides and include your: Research Question, thesis/argument, research findings, arguments & debates, and interesting details. Upload your presentations to
Resources to stimulate imagination:
World 101: 11 Global Issues https://world101.cfr.org/global-era-issues
Oxford Our World in Data: https://ourworldindata.org/
