PSCI 6630 Essay #2
Essay #2: Choose one of the following three nation-states: the PRC, the Russian Federation, or the USA, and explain that nation-state’s Grand Narratives. Explain at least two of their Grand Narratives, including their likely origins, persistence, and resonance.
The goal is for you to author an appropriately researched and formatted argumentative essay that answers the question posed in the assignment. Each essay is to be about 2000 words. Footnotes or endnotes are required; Author-Date In-text Citations must include page numbers. e.g. (Smith, 154). The content is to be typed, double-spaced, in font 12. The assignment must have appropriate footnotes or endnotes in Chicago (preferred), APA, or MLA style documentation. A bibliography is required. Ensure your PDF version correctly displays your footnotes or endnotes after converting to PDF. The cover page, endnotes, and bibliography (if used) do not count in the word count. The naming convention for the PDF file is lastnamePSCI6630essay#.pdf (the last name being the student’s last name and Essay # being, e.g., Essay#1, Essay#2, etc.) All submissions must include the student’s name, course number, and title on the cover page.
Guidelines for Grading Your Essays: The highest grades will go to appropriately structured essays that accomplish the following: 1) substantively answers the question (60% of the grade); 2) correctly uses concepts and terminology from the class (20% of the grade); 3) is grammatically correct and error-free (10% of the grade). Following these submission directions precisely is worth 10% of the grade.
Using the comments received on your research proposal, your final paper will be an argumentative essay detailing your strategy to resolve the national or international security issue chosen. The paper will explain the issue and detail the strategy you recommend to appropriately deal with the issue in the context of the nation-state leadership perspective selected. The paper will provide an analysis of the likely effectiveness of your strategy to bring the issue to a favorable resolution. It will also address likely responses from other key players involved. You will need to explain how your strategy would be modified according to these potential responses.
Remember, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning. The paper should be 18-20 pages long, double-spaced, in font 12, and have appropriate citations in the form of footnotes/endnotes in the Chicago (preferred), APA, or MLA style. Use at least three peer-reviewed journal articles in your argument. Final papers are to be posted in this assignment in PDF format. Only PDF-formatted files will be accepted in the assignment. The naming convention of the PDF file is lastnamePSCI6630FinalPaper.pdf (the last name being the student’s last name). All submissions must have a cover page with the student’s name, course number, and a title beginning with “Research Paper: Your Title.”
The paper will be graded using the following criteria: (1) Clearly explain your issue and strategy (10% of the grade); (2) deliver an argument that demonstrates structure, logic, includes historical evidential support, and explains the strategy and potential reactions to it. You must address how your strategy would need to be modified depending on the potential reactions you present (60% of the grade); (3) provides a comprehensive bibliography with all sources in Chicago (preferred), APA or MLA style (10% of the grade); (4) is grammatically correct and error-free (10% of the grade); (5) and the paper is to be submitted according to instructor guidance (10% of the grade).
For the class’s capstone, you will deliver your Research Paper in the form of a 6 to 8-minute informative video presentation. Using whatever technology is available, video record a presentation of your research paper findings. The video must include four or more slides, but must also show the student speaking to the camera, NOT using a voiceover showing only the visual support materials.
Post your video in .mp4 or .mov format for this assignment. The naming convention of the video file is lastnamePSCI6630video.mp4 or .mov (the last name being the student’s last name). Past students have successfully used the free version of ScreenPal (
) to prepare similar assignments.
If you have difficulty posting the video in Blackboard due to file size constraints, you may post a link to your video on YouTube. To do this,
1. Create a free YouTube account. Select the plus sign to post a video.
2. Choose the video you want to upload.
3. Select the unlisted link option.
4. Allow the video to upload fully, then click the share option and copy the link.
5. Post the link in this Blackboard assignment.
Guidelines for Grading Your Presentation: The highest grades will go to a well-prepared, logically structured, and professionally communicated video presentation that accomplishes the following: 1) substantively summarizes the research paper (70% of the grade); 2) includes the use of well-prepared slides (10% of the grade and must be included); and 3) is delivered in a professional manner using correct diction and grammar (20% of the grade).
