Assignment Instructions/ Description
How can we visualize Russia's ultimate grand strategy for its global ambitions? What are some of the drivers to their overall foreign policy? What can an intergovernmental military alliance like Nato do to deter the threats of Russia?Guidelines for Research PaperA major research paper should be eight to ten (8-10) typewritten pagesin length (double-spaced) and must be based, in part, on primary sources [defined here asdocuments, speeches, articles, analyses written by analysts or political figures from the region],not merely on secondary analyses. The paper should deal with some aspect of DiplomaticStudies. For example, the student may decide to compare and evaluate the various theories ofand approaches to the study of Diplomacy, or to use a research question to illustrate thetheoretically based arguments developed in the literature. Regardless of the topic selected, thestudent should deal with it analytically, not merely descriptively. This means that the papershould address a specific question and develop and support an argument. It should drawupon the relevant theoretical literature.Papers must be submitted in standard research paper format--i.e. title page, notes either at thebottom of the page or at the end of the paper, and a bibliography. Use the format given belowfor both notes and bibliography. It is assumed that due attention will be given to such concernsas spelling, grammar, appropriate word selection and neatness! Although primary considerationin evaluating the paper will be placed on content, logic of the argumentation, and evidence,stylistic concerns (i.e. spelling, grammar, syntax, etc.) will also be taken into account.Most importantly, papers are not to be mere chronicles of historical developments. Rather, theyare to present and support an argument or explanation concerning the problem that has beenselected as the focus of research.Missing ComponentsAny of the components of the specific research paper requirements that are missing will result inthe loss of points for each missing component. The components are: 1) Introduction, 2)Background, 3) Literature Review/Theoretical Framework, 4) Discussion/Findings, 5)Conclusions, (6) References.IntroductionIdentify the key problems and issues in the research paper. Formulate and include a thesisstatement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1–2 sentences. The introduction shoulddescribe the research problem, its significance, why the case is being used and how it relates toaddressing the problem. A good introduction guides your reader through the evidence, whichfollows and informs him/her of the overriding purpose of your developed points. I stronglysuggest that you have a single sentence that clearly articulates your thesis. It can be as direct as:“The argument of this paper is...” Once you have posed the underlying question and offered athesis, the body of the paper should be used to defend the thesis.BackgroundIn this section, students should provide background information of their cases, relevant facts, andthe most important issues related to their topic of analysis.Literature Review/Theoretical FrameworkThe literature review is an essential part of a research paper, which provides backgroundinformation and historical interpretation of the topic of analysis. Students should provide acritical analysis of literature and theories that will be surveyed in this course and develop theirown argument. An explanation of a case is more convincing when the outcome could not havebeen predicted using the different theory explanation. Students are required to analyze theirresearch questions through the lens of theory.Discussion/FindingsDefending your argument means carefully choosing and analyzing specific evidence based ontheories, not simply repeating unsupported generalizations with slightly different wordings againand again. For an argument to be convincing, it is necessary to evaluate all possible sides of anissue. You cannot ignore significant contradictory evidence or counterarguments and will need toaddress them specifically. The presentation of evidence should not merely be a mindless catalogof facts, but rather a selective and careful analysis of details relevant to your case. To decidewhat evidence to use, lay out the full array of potential evidence in advance of writing yourpaper. Then choose that which can be best developed and supported by theories of Diplomaticstudies.ConclusionThe conclusion should briefly re-state the main points of the paper and address any issues raisedby the research. Summarize your conclusion in clear language.Format of the PaperThe paper should stay within the page limits listed above [12-point type with standard margins];it should be formatted in standard research paper form -- i.e. including reference notes (either atthe bottom of the page or at the end of the paper -- not "scientific notation”) and abibliography. The format listed below should be used for both notes and bibliography.Bibliography:All entries should be listed in alphabetical order, last name first, using the following format:1) Periodical article:Hough, Jerry F., "The End of Russia's 'Khomeini' Period," World Policy Journal, IV, no. 4(1987), pp. 583-604. Some journals do not employ volume numbers, others do not employconsecutive pagination within an entire volume. This format can be adjusted to the former byexcluding the volume number and presents no problem for the latter situation.2) Article in an edited book:Russell L. Hanson. “Democracy,” in Political Innovation and Conceptual Change, eds. TerenceBall, James Farr, Russell L. Hanson (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989), pp. 68-86.3) Authored book:Sanford, Levinson. Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (andHow We the People Can Correct It). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.4) Edited book:Mill, John S. On Liberty and Other Essays, edited by John Gray. Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress, 1991.5) Newspaper article:Amartya, Sen. “Democracy and Its Global Roots,” The New Republic, October 6, 2003, pp. 28-35.6) Miscellaneous publication:Some items do not fit easily into any of the categories listed above. You should adapt the formatto fit the item. For example, pamphlets can usually be treated as books.7) Translated material:For translated materials, full publication information should be provided for both the original andthe translation source:Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason.Translated by Richard Howard, Vintage-Random House, 1988.8) Internet material:These materials should be treated as publications. Full information concerning the source shouldbe given., so that the reader will be in a position to find it. In the case of “reprinted” materials,both the original and the internet source should be given:Taylor, Rumsey. "Fitzcarraldo." Slant, 13 Jun. 2003,www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/fitzcarraldo/. Accessed 29 Sep. 2009.Since you cannot cite pages for internet sources, you should be especially careful to provideproper link information and dates when accessed.9) Unpublished material:Specific information should be provided about the source of unpublished material, such asinterviews, letters, and other documents. The name of the interviewee, the date and place of theinterview should be provided. Letters and other documents should be treated in similarfashion. In all cases information concerning the current location of the material should beprovided.
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