OBJECTIVES FOR ASSIGNMENT: Upon completion, this research paper
will satisfy the following course objectives discussed in the course syllabus:
● Understand the significance of major events shaping the international system since
1648;
● Possess knowledge of the principle issues, arenas, and actors in international relations;
● Complete independent research, providing analysis and synthesis of the information
discovered in the research process;
● Analyze the major components of international relations: the structure of the international
system and how/why it has evolved, the role of power, the meaning of security and the
importance of economic issues;
● Appreciate the role of cultural values and perceptions in relationships among countries.
BACKGROUND: Separatism is the political act of a smaller group
attempting to formally separate itself from a larger group. Motivation for this
may be religious, ethnic, cultural, or economic. While many separatist
movements are currently underway, most movements are using the
possibility of separating from the larger group (state) as leverage. Many
groups simply want more autonomy and are seeking a means to negotiate
this additional autonomy. While some movements will result in full
independence, other potential remedies include constitutional amendments
addressing the issues raised by the separatist movement, additional rights
and/or political opportunities for members of the minority group (those
espousing separatism), a re-alignment of the political structure of the state,
as well as the potential for an overwhelming and disproportionate military
response from the home country. Studying the concept of separatism will
provide the student with a more in-depth appreciation of the following
issues related to the study of International Relations: International Law,Neo-Liberal Institutions, Realism v. Liberalism, U.S. Foreign Policy,
International Political Economy, and Geopolitics.
ASSIGNMENT: The student will write a research paper 8 – 10 pages in
length on the topic assigned. The topic assigned will allow the student to
craft an argument using appropriate, college-level sources. For the
assignment, PHOTOS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE INCLUDED. Quotes
of 3+ lines are not allowed (the student should paraphrase in lieu of a
direct quote). In addition, tables, charts, graphs, etc. shall only be used
when absolutely necessary and MUST be included in an Appendix (an
Appendix NEVER counts toward the minimum page requirement). The
title page, as well as reference/bibliography pages are also excluded
from the page count. This assignment requires the student to collect and
organize his/her sources and then propose a succinct hypothesis that will
be tested within the research paper. The conclusion reached should reflect
a determination of the research in the subject matter.
SOURCES: As mentioned in the syllabus, there is a minimum requirement
of 9 sources (academic justification for this minimum requirement is
provided in the course syllabus). THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT TO BE
USED FOR THE RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT: Dictionaries (online or
bound), internet web sites (including blogs) that are agenda-driven (if
unsure if this is the case, ask), encyclopedias (online or bound),
magazines, as well as other sources not appropriate for college-level work.
The focal point of your research should be books and/or peer-reviewed
journal articles. (EBSCOHost, PROQUEST). A CURSORY
INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL SOURCES AVAILABLE VIA BOTHPROQUEST AND EBSCOHOST REVEALED 1,422 POTENTIAL
SOURCES. AS SUCH, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STUDENT WILL
NOT ENCOUNTER ANY DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING APPROPRIATE
SOURCES FOR HIS/HER RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT.
HYPOTHESIS: A Research Question as well as a Hypothesis are
REQUIRED for this assignment. YOUR HYPOTHESIS MUST BE A
DECLARATIVE STATEMENT. IN ADDITION, IT SHOULD DEAL WITH
“X AND Y” ONLY!!!!! NOT “X AND Y AND Z”. THE HYPOTHESIS
SHOULD BE FREE OF SUBJECTIVE TERMS – DO NOT IDENTIFY
ANYTHING AS GOOD/BAD (your opinion may be different than the
reader’s and this is NOT what you are trying to prove). THE
HYPOTHESIS MUST BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TESTED! So, let
us assume one is doing research on drug usage among young adults.
AN INNAPROPRIATE HYPOTHESIS WOULD BE: “Drug usage among
high school students reflects poor choices.” WHAT IS A POOR
CHOICE? Instead, an APPROPRIATE HYPOTHESIS WOULD BE: “As
high school graduation rates rise, the rate of drug usage among
young adults goes down.” There is nothing subjective regarding the
second hypothesis. There is direction to the hypothesis. Policy
makers can then take the findings and implement policies that assist
X. A policy maker would want high school graduation rates to rise.
[S]he would then implement programs to assist in this. [S]he would
then track the results, expecting drug usage to go down. If confirmed,
the policy would be deemed successful, with even more programs
aimed at increasing high school graduation rates to come.
CITATIONS: Proper citation is a MUST for any written assignment at the
college level. A citation must be provided in the body of the paper as well
as at the end in the Reference page/Bibliography. To achieve conformity
among the group, each student MUST use APA style . APA is the officialstyle of the American Political Science Association. Each student must
adhere to this style throughout the paper. FAILURE TO PROPERLY CITE
ONE’S SOURCES IS AN EXAMPLE OF PLAGIARISM AND WILL
RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE PAPER, POSSIBLY THE
COURSE AND MAY SEE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES LEVIED BY THE
COLLEGE.
BODY OF THE PAPER: An abstract is not necessary for this assignment.
The student shall propose a research hypothesis within the introduction
section of the paper. The student shall prepare a well-researched,
well-documented research paper which provides a detailed analysis of
his/her individual topic regarding separatism. In doing so, the student shall
rely upon existing literature in the field. In any research paper, the student
should refrain from using such phrases as, “I believe …”, instead using the
works of others to make his/her case. The student should refrain from
subjective analysis (nothing is good or bad), instead utilizing the body of
literature available on this topic to provide objective analysis.
PARTS OF THIS ASSIGNMENT: The individual assignment shall be
completed in several steps. The first assignment is to submit an annotated
bibliography. The second step is to submit one’s research question and
hypothesis. The third step is to submit a MANDATORY rough draft of one’s
paper. The final step is to submit a final draft of the paper that incorporates
suggestions received after submitting the rough draft. The student should
check the syllabus for due dates for each part of the assignment.ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: The student shall submit an annotated
bibliography of at least 10 sources [s]he is considering for the research
paper. The student shall check the syllabus for due date. Sources used in
the annotated bibliography may/may not be used in the final draft of the
paper (hence, the reason why 10 sources are required for the annotated
bibliography and only 9 sources are required for the final draft). For those
students needing assistance in writing an annotated bibliography, see the
following: