How can the case analysis proposal and paper be successful?
What kind of foreign policy event should the analysis cover?
What kind of approach should be taken in writing the proposal and paper?
How can theories be integrated into the analysis?
Essential Questions
The proposal for your case analysis paper must include the following:
The specific single foreign policy decision youll be studying. Write at least one full paragraph describing it, including the country, actors, significance, and so on.
Thoughts on the theories you might use to analyze the case. This will not be set in stone – it is meant to get you thinking about possibilities. Write at least one full paragraph.
Three possible sources, shown in APA citation format, that you might use.
The proposal is worth 50 points.
The Proposal
When selecting a case, bear in mind you can’t use any which are in our textbook.
However, there are many foreign policy events, large and small, to choose from, and they can be from any country.
An example might be President Trump’s decision to try to ban refugees from certain countries. Here you might examine what he said during his campaign, how he has faced other similar issues, whether he has any kind of cognitive bias, how he might be trying to play a nested game, both domestically and internationally, and so on.
Choosing a Topic
You will be required to apply at least one of the main theories weve learned about (realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical theories), or one of the sub-theories.
Be sure to fully understand what the theory says before attempting to apply it.
Examining Theories
APA format is required for your resources.
A good resource for this is Purdue OWL (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)
A good way to create citations is through citationmachine.net.
APA Citation
The paper must be between 1000 and 1500 words, double-spaced, with 1″ margins in Times New Roman font.
Citations are expected both in-text and in Works Cited at the end of the paper, in full APA format.
Be very careful not to plagiarize. All quotes must be cited, as should general information you read. A good rule of thumb is if it doesn’t come from your own mind (analysis) it needs to be cited. TurnItIn will be utilized.
The Final Paper
The goal in this paper is to analyze the decisions leaders and others have made when it comes to foreign policy.
While some time must be spent on explaining the issue, be careful not to fall into the trap of ONLY explaining the event and neglecting to analyze WHY it occurred or HOW.
The Goal
It is very important to approach this assignment neutrally. Your opinions are not required!
What is necessary is to objectively look at why a leader has done something within foreign policy and try to determine why, without your own biases and feelings clouding this research.
Your analysis paper should include no opinion statements.
Be Neutral
Start out with a strong introduction, which mentions the event, the major players and the outcome, and previews your analysis.
You might mention theories which might apply (such as offensive realism, or hegemonic stability), cognitive biases you uncovered (such as a filter or screen), aspects of the major players’ personalities, and so on.
This is just a preview of what you’ll cover in the paper itself.
The Introduction
Next, describe the event in neutral terms. You may decide to analyze at that point, or you may save the analysis for after the summary.
Keep it brief!
Background
In your analysis, you may “test out” several theories and discuss why they do or do not fit the situation.
You may not find much information in your research about why the decision makers acted as they did, and in this case you’ll have to hypothesize, or make an educated guess about why they acted this way.
Perhaps a certain leader was known for having aggressive tendencies in other situations. Explain those situations and how they apply to your case.
Keep in mind, it is required to include at least one theory in your analysis.
Analysis
Wrap up your paper with a strong conclusion, which finalizes your analysis and describes what you believe happened in this situation and why.
In the end, the reader should come away believing that you have examined this case to determine why it played out as it did by applying and discussing theories about decision making and how international politics works.
Conclusion
Rely on the textbook to provide you with the tools for analysis, along with sources related to your foreign policy event.
Having between 3 and 5 sources will give you a good start.
Be sure to cite the textbook!
Leave a Reply