NB: All assignments for this course must include an LO appendix that explains your applications. The appendix does not count toward your word limit.
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Choose a problem in the following three areas only, which we have covered throughout this course:
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(1) corruption
(2) agriculture/land reform
(3) migration
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(1) First, specify clearly what your problem is and whether you are looking at it from a local, national (or country), or international point of view. You can pick any locality or country excluding the UAE.
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(2) Then, choose a contemporary social movement or interest group which aims to solve the problem you described in the previous part. Possible examples include the Indian Farmers Movement, the Land Back movement, the UN Global Compact Anti-Corruption Working Group, or SOS Mediterranee in Europe.
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(3) Outline how the social movement or interest group contributes (or does not contribute) to solving the problem you have identified. In particular, you should discuss the tactics/methods employed by the social movement or interest group, their sources of power, and how they interact with transnational networks.
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(4) Finally, suggest and justify two additional approaches that the social movement or interest group can take in order to tackle the problem you identified.
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In answering these questions, you should combine details from the contemporary campaign you have chosen with insights from the research and theory we have discussed in the course. Focus especially on the readings for sessions 32, 33 and 35, readings from sessions 21 and 26, as well as the sessions on the drivers of war.
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Your assignment should apply two or three learning outcomes from the course of your choice. Possible options include: #constructivism, #rationalchoice, #structuralism, #integratingtheories or #democracy.
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Make sure to include a Reference Section with a list of the sources referred to in your assignment (e.g., scientific papers, book chapters, online sources). This should be formatted according to APA 7th edition style and does NOT count towards your word count. Here is information on how to cite in APA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html. And this video covers everything on how to cite in text and in your references section: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ0iUeUxazM
Assignment Information
Length:
1,500 words max
Weight:
20%
Learning Outcomes Added
Constructivism: Interpret the causal role of ideas, identity, norms, and repertoires in determining political and social outcomes over time.
RationalChoice: Apply rational choice theory to explain individual and collective political decisions.
Structuralism: Identify and analyze structural factors that help explain political and social outcomes over time, including the causes of degradation in institutions.
Democracy: Identify the democratic elements of a particular society and explain the causes of liberalization, transition, and/or consolidation.
IntegratingTheories: Define and utilize theory to explain political behaviors of the past, present and future.