Q1: Week 3 Research Plan for Final Assignment
About the Assignment
As we begin Week 3, you are now familiar with a few journal articles written about human security issues. The journal articles are models for the type of academic writing you should try to achieve. As you learned in earlier classes, most international relations research projects try to incorporate three features:
1. Understand the history of a problem, including the theories and concepts at play within it;
2. Present a case study in which the problem is identifiable and compelling;
3. Offer a solution or the practical application of a model
The project you complete in this class will be no exception. Your task for this course is to choose a problem related to human security in which NGOs, IGOs and state actors work together to find a solution. You are then to assess the success of the efforts to this point.
The work that you do throughout the course will help you to create a finished product by Week 8. We will start with a research plan, then, in Week 6 you will complete a research outline before you submit your final paper in Week 8.
Task
Getting Started
1. Open the attached Research Plan template. This is what you will use to complete your assignment.
2. Consider starting with the Getting Started with Research and Library Video Tutorials in the APUS Library. Once you are familiar with the library go ahead and noodle around and do some preliminary research to see what you might be interested in writing about.
Select your Topic
1. The topic must be related to human security and involve multiple actors.
2. Your paper is short at 8 pages, so your topic needs to be narrow. Try starting out with answering the questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How? and then narrow down by looking at the problems faced, motives or effects on a group.
Keywords
Finding keywords is important because it can save you time in your research. If you were writing a paper on global warming, you might also want to consider a search for climate change. Your word choices can impact the results you research in databases and search engines. If you are writing about climate change in Sri Lanka you would want to search for climate change AND Sri Lanka or global warming AND Sri Lanka, Natural Disasters AND climate AND Sri Lanka. By adding the AND, you are sure to get content related to both climate change and Sri Lanka. If you just search for climate change or Sri Lanka on their own, you would have much difficulty in finding resources that you need.
Research Question
Your research question will be an actual question (a sentence ending with a question mark). As you write your question, avoid asking something that can be responded to as a yes or no. Ex: Is migration impacting human security? A better choice: How is the migration of Syrians into Jordan impacting human security?
Statement of Purpose
1. Explain why you think it is important to answer the question and explain how your work will contribute to the field of IR.
2. The statement should be brief and no more than 4 sentences for this assignment. Here are some tips to help you write a good statement of purpose.
IRLS310_Research Plan.doc
Readings:
Basaran, H. R., L.L.M. (2014). Identifying the responsibility to protect. The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, 38(1), 195-212. https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/1518881341?accountid=8289
Panait, I. (2014). FROM HUMAN SECURITY TO RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT. Research and Science Today, 1(7), 51-60. https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/1525983303?accountid=8289
Paris, R. (2014). The Responsibility to Protect and the Structural Problems of Preventative Humanitarian Intervention, International Peacekeeping, 21(5), 569-603 https://doi-org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/10.1080/13533312.2014.963322
Ziegler, Charles E. 2016. Contesting the Responsibility to Protect. International Studies Perspectives, 17(1), 75-97. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=114637378&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Responsibility to Protect. United Nations Website. https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/about-responsibility-to-protect.shtml
Q2: Weeks 4&5 Midterm Essay (Due Week 5)
Midterm Assignment â Instructions (Read Carefully)
In university courses, assignments (or assessments) are meant to give students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have been learning in the course â and give instructors evidence that such learning is occurring within the classroom. Because of these objectives, it is imperative to incorporate the specifics of what youâve been studying in the course into your writing assignments. You accomplish this by answering the Midterm question in the assessment via the course objectives and readings from the course. The midterm will cover the following objectives:
Describe the role of rapid globalization in changing perceptions of security
Identify key threats to human security (food security, personal security, environmental security)
Apply the concepts of human security
Compare and contrast traditional international relations approaches to security with the doctrine of human security.
Midterm Question
Is the movement towards human security a true paradigm shift? In answering this question make sure to consider which of the authors whom you have read in Weeks one to four of the course support your view and which do not. *The sole use of lesson and course readings from Weeks 1-4 is required for the midterm*
Formatting Instructions
To answer the Midterm question you will write an analytical essay. The analytical essay is a practical approach to solving a problem. So think of this essay question as you would an assignment from your boss: âI need you to take a look at this problem and solve it for me using things from your IR toolkit (what you have learned, or know). Present a well-written, concise answer to me in four pages. I need it by tomorrow morning.â This is how it happens in the real world, and this is what we want to prepare you to do. To achieve this structure of the essay please keep the following tips in mind:
Create an accurate list of all of the readings from the first four weeks of the course. Take notes on each reading, noting the author and date so that you can refer to them easily.
Think about the question in terms of the aforementioned objectives from Weeks 1-4.
Focus on supporting your arguments and not whether you are right or wrong.
Provide a voice to the other side of the argument.
Remember that the analytical essay is highly-structured. Each paragraph should look like the others in terms of style and substance. Writing to the limit of four pages is an art and something you need to learn to do. So, donât write fewer than four pages and donât write more. You may need to write over just a little and then edit away the extra parts of the essay to reach the concise four pages.
Follow this Format for the Essay:
Do not use a cover page. Instead, create a header with your name, assignment name, and date. To do this in Word, go to âinsertâ and then âheader.â Do the same thing to insert a âfooterâ and include page numbers. If you need help, use the âhelpâ function to learn more within Word.
Your submission should be four pages (no more, no less) and look like this:
Introduction: Introduce your topic & include a thesis. To help you set up your analytical essay include three reasons why you agree or disagree with the midterm questions. By doing so, you will set up the body of your paper. The introduction should be ½ page.
The Body: The body will focus on your three reasons that you either agree or disagree with the midterm question. Each reason should take up about 1 page and include support from the readings and lessons.
Conclusion: The conclusion will wrap up your paper, and re-state your three reasons. This should be about ½ page.
Reference List: Include a reference list in Turabian format. This list will not count towards the four pages.
Use Turabian in-text citation with a reference list. Do not include footnotes.
Begin with the clip in this video: https://apus-kanopystreaming-com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/playlist/452389
Next, read your week Week 4 Lessons
Dalby, Simon, and Zahra Moussavi. Environmental security, geopolitics and the case of Lake Urmiaâs disappearance. Global Change, Peace & Security29, no. 1 (January 01, 2017): 39-55. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/10.1080/14781158.2016.1228623.
DYER, H. (2001). Environmental security and international relations: The case for enclosure. Review of International Studies, , 441-450. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/204960377?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=8289
Nayak, A. K. (2014). Understanding environmental security and its causal factors with reference to chittagong hill tracts of bangladesh. IUP Journal of International Relations, 8(4), 40-53. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/1629950198?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=8289
Khan, A. (2014). Climate change vulnerabilities legal status of the displaced people. Environmental Policy and Law, 44(3), 325-333. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1562173089?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=8289
Vera Delgado, J., & Zwarteveen, M. (2008). Modernity, exclusion and resistance: Water and indigenous struggles in peru. Development, 51(1), 114-120. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/216913140?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=8289
Brysk, A., & Bennett, N. (2012). Voice in the village: Indigenous peoples contest globalization in bolivia. The Brown Journal of World Affairs, 18(2), 115-127. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1239069013?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=8289
A.C.K. Lee. (2008). Local perspectives on humanitarian aid in Sri Lanka after the tsunami, Public Health, 122 (12), 1410-1417.
Bhavan, T. (2013). Policies and effectiveness of foreign aid: The case of sri lanka. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 3(3), 363.
Felice, W. (1999). The Viability of the United Nations Approach to Economic and Social Human Rights in a Globalized Economy, 75 (3), 563-598.
Gordon, Joy. Economic sanctions and global governance: the case of Iraq.Global Crime 10, no. 4 (November 2009): 356-367.International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center, EBSCOhost(accessed September 15, 2015).
Shagabutdinova, Ella, and Jeffrey Berejikian. Deploying Sanctions while Protecting Human Rights: Are Humanitarian âSmartâ Sanctions Effective?. Journal Of Human Rights 6, no. 1 (January 2007): 59-74. International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed September 15, 2015).
Q3: Week 6 Research Outline
Progress Assignment, Research Outlineâ Instructions (Read Carefully)
The research outline will build upon your research plan from Week 3. By creating an outline you can make sure that all elements of your research are addressed equally â and that your project design flows smoothly, leading to a logical final project.
Formatting Instructions
To create your outline please set up your submission in this way:
Working Title â transform your question into a title statement
Statement of the Problem & Thesis
What is the problem?
Purpose statement one â why itâs important
Purpose statement two â how your work will contribute to the solution
Background to the problem (generally historical)
First important piece of the background
Second important piece of the background
Third important piece of the background
Issues â include the theoretical framework or worldview that best applies
What is the primary issue in the problem?
What is another important issue in the problem?
What is a less-important issue in the problem?
Complicating factors â What makes these issues & a solution complicated?
What is the biggest obstacle in solving this problem?
What is another reason it will be difficult to solve this problem?
What else is getting in the way of a lasting solution?
Possible solutions (use experts to help identify solutions)
Solution 1
Solution 2
Solution 3
Recommendation
Using one or more of the complicating factors, compose a statement that begins with the word âalthough.â Explain what the complicating factors are in a general way, then insert a comma and proceed with the second part of the sentence â your solution. Give the solution and tell a reason why.
Ex: Although food security is difficult to address due to climate change, conflict and governmental instability, a solution can be found by creating partnerships between first and third world countries. (Then, go on to explain how this solution will work).
Anticipated Outcome
What do you expect to happen as a result of the recommendation?
Wrap up your topic
Include your closing
Follow this Format for the outline:
Do not use a cover page. Instead, create a header with your name, assignment name, and date. To do this in Word, go to âinsertâ and then âheader.â Do the same thing to insertâfooterâ and include page numbers. If you need help, use the âhelpâ function to learn more within Word.
Your submission should be around two pages double spaced following the format above.
Readings:
Djuric, Sladjana. 2009. Qualitative approach to the research into the parameters of human security in the community. Policing32, no. 3: 541-559.
Oludimu, Olufemi. 2014. GLOBALIZATION, HUMAN SECURITY AND SOME INTERVENING CONCERNS. European Scientific Journal.
https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/download/4032/3843 **This link should prompt an automatic download in PDF
Vera Achvarina, and Simon F. Reich. 2006. âNo Place to Hide: Refugees, Displaced Persons, and the Recruitment of Child Soldiersâ. International Security 31 (1). The MIT Press: 127â64.
http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/stable/4137541?pq-origsite=summon&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Margesson, Rhoda and Susan G. Chesser. 2014. SYRIA: OVERVIEW OF THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE *. Current Politics and Economics of the Middle East 5, no. 2: 273-305.
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/docview/1655116219?pq-origsite=summon
Q4: Week 8 Final Research Project
Final Paper â Instructions (Read Carefully)
The final paper will be the final step of your research project. You will use your research outline to create your final product. By completing this final paper you should be able to:
Understand the history of a problem in a human security context, including theories and concepts at play within it;
Present a case study in which the problem is identifiable and compelling
Offer a solution or the practical application of a model.
The final paper should be no more and no less than eight (8) pages not including the reference list.
Formatting Instructions
Your final submission should be set up in this way using bold subheadings:
Introduction (½ page)
Background of the problem (½ page)
Issues (1 page)
Complicating issues & Analysis (1 page per complication issue i.e. 3 pages)
Possible solutions (1 page)
Recommendation (1 page)
Anticipated outcome (1/2 page)
Conclusion (1/2 page)
Follow this Format for the outline:
Do not use a cover page. Instead, create a header with your name, assignment name, and date. To do this in Word, go to âinsertâ and then âheader.â Do the same thing to insertâfooterâ and include page numbers. If you need help, use the âhelpâ function to learn more within Word.
Your submission should be no more and no less than 8 pages.
Use Turabian in-text citations with a reference list. Do not use footnotes.
Use standard word settings for the assignment. Double-space, 12 pt. font (Calibri, Helvetica or Arial as a last resort).
Pitsuwan, Surin and Mely Caballero-Anthony. 2014. Human security in southeast asia: 20 years in review. Asian Journal of Peacebuilding 2, no. 2: 199-215
Borgwardt, Elizabeth. 2008. FDRs four freedoms as a human rights instrument. Magazine of History 22, no. 2: 8-13
Wheeler, Deborah. Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. Journal of Human Security, 7 (1) (March 2011): 37-52.
Kfir, I. (2015) NATOs Paradigm Shift: Searching for a Traditional Security-Human Security Nexus 36(2), 219-243
Kusar, Besim. 2015. THE RIGHT TO LIBERTY AND SECURITY: A PRECONDITION FOR ESTABLISHING AND GUARANTEEING THE HUMAN SECURITY. European Scientific Journal 11, no. 11
Klausen, J. (2015) Tweeting the Jihad: Social Media Networks of Western Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 38(1), 1-22