Critical Thinking

Description

In order to construct your critical thinking paper, you will need to select a topic and a paradigm (ex: Realism, Liberalism, Feminism, Constructionism, Marxism) that you will use to analyze your topic/event.

You must use MLA or APA format for your citation of source information. A great resource for help with MLA citation can be found at Purdue University’s Owl - https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ (Links to an external site.)

The title of your paper needs to conform to “A Critical Analysis of (your topic) from the (your chosen paradigm) Paradigm.”

You will need to follow the following paragraph format for your paper -

Part 1 - serves as your introduction to the topic chosen for your analysis. You will also need to include a thesis statement that clearly illustrates which paradigm you have chosen, the level of analysis you will employ (you may use more than one if you like) and any theories that you feel help to support your analysis of the topic. (1 paragraph)

Part 2 - describe the event/issue’s historical background information as well as current implications to the international system. (1-2 paragraphs)

Part 3 - explain the paradigm you have selected to analyze your event/issue and why the paradigm offers an important view into your subject. Include in your analysis how your paradigmatic choice leads to the use of the level of analysis you have chosen for your analysis. Explore your topic with the use of a selected level of analysis. Include in your discussion important insights gained through the use of your selected level of analysis. Also introduce how any theories or ideas in IR may relate to your topic. (3-4 paragraphs)

Part 4 - describe an alternate paradigmatic view of your event/issue with possible levels of analysis implications. Explain why the alternative paradigm may offer valid critiques or insights of your own analysis of the subject/topic you’ve chosen. (1-2 paragraphs)

Part 5 - works cited page in MLA or APA format - as you discuss your topic you will need to include all sources for your research. Make sure your sources come from sources such as academic journals, reports, or other scholarly publications and that you avoid such non-academically valid sources such as blogs or wikis. While I will set six valid sources as a minimum for your paper, your grade will reflect not only the quality of your sources but your ability to move beyond the minimum required.

If you do not present your paper by the due date you will not be allowed to earn any higher than a D for the course as you will have not met the Gordon Rule requirement for this course.

Grades for your paper will be holistically calculated and adhere to the following scale:

A = 90 – 100%

B = 80 – 89%

C = 70 – 79%

D = 60 – 69%

F = 0 – 59%

Refer to your syllabus for the paper due date.

Papers must be submitted in person. No electronically delivered papers (including through Canvas) will be accepted.

Late submissions will be capped at a 50% possible grade. Late submissions may, however, count towards fulfilling the Gordon Rule requirement if the professor deems the submission valid towards the rule.

Approved Topics

The Russian separatist movement in Ukraine

The 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia

The 2003 Invasion of Iraq by Allied forces

The Russian, Canadian, and American tension over the Arctic Northwest Passage

Greece and its future in the EU

The end of French colonial involvement in Vietnam.

The possibility of a Kurdish state

American and Australian relations with China

American and Japanese relations with China

The Golan Heights dispute between Israel and Syria

The Senkaku Islands dispute between Japan and China

The Spratly Islands dispute in the South China Sea

Chinese policy towards Taiwanese independence

The Falkland Islands dispute between the U.K. and Argentina

The North Cyprus dispute

American involvement in Vietnam

The South Ossetia dispute

The Quebec sovereignty movement in Canada

The Sakhalin Island dispute between Russia and Japan

The Kargil War between India and Pakistan

North Korean attempts at developing nuclear weapons

The First Congo War

The Second Congo War

International responses to climate change

International responses to the Tibetan independence movement

India and Pakistan’s struggle over the Kashmir

Sample Solution