What background information would your fellow classmates need to understand the situation? Why do you want them to know this? Are there any essential terms they must know?

Choose an IR perspective (Realism, Liberalism,
or Constructivism) and
use it as a framework to explain one of the following scenarios:
·
Afghanistan refugees settling in St. Louis
·
US climate and environmental policies within the
past five years
·
US and Chinese relations in the South China Sea
·
An alternate real-world scenario devised by the
student and approved by Mr. Hutch
For any scenario you choose, your essay should accomplish
the following:
1.
Context
– What background information would your fellow classmates need to understand
the situation? Why do you want them to know this? Are there any essential terms
they must know?

2.
IR Theory
Application – Explain how your IR theory applies to the situation. What are
the benefits of approaching the scenario using this framework? What are the
drawbacks to using this framework?
Students must cite two sources
explaining the benefit of their IR framework and two sources explaining the
drawbacks of their IR framework

3.
Conclusion
– In addition to reviewing the argument, a concluding paragraph should answer
one of the following questions:
a.
How has writing about this topic changed your
perspective on the topic?
b.
Based on what you have learned, what is a call
to action that best addresses your scenario?
c.
Based on what you have learned, what is your
prediction about the future of this scenario?
When
answering one of the above questions, remember that the intellectually competent graduate
· Is beginning to understand one’s own
government and others forms and practices of government around the world
· Understands the need for individual
and community responsibility for stewardship of earth’s resources
· Is beginning to develop that critical
consciousness which enables one to better analyze the contemporary issues
facing men and women and to seek and evaluate the various points of view on
these issues from the standpoint of a man and woman for and with others.
And the loving graduate
· Is increasingly empathetic
· Is sensitive to the beauty and
fragility of the created universe and exercises stewardship
· Cares deeply about preserving human
life
Research
Students must cite two sources
explaining the benefit of their IR framework and two sources explaining the
drawbacks of their IR framework. A few options are below. Students are welcome
to research other documents and use them in their essay.
·
Afghanistan refugees settling in St. Louis
o
St.
Louis Welcomes 1,000 Afghan Refugees
o
US
Should Not Accept Afghan Refugees
o
Why
Afghan Refugees Aren’t Welcome in California
o
Liberalist
and Realist Explanation fo Merkel’s Open Door Policy
o
Realism,
Tragedy, Power, and the Refugee Crisis
·
US climate and environmental policies within the
past five years
o
The
Realist Case for Climate Change Cooperation
o
Environmental
Policy for the Next Generation
o
How
Climate Change is Shaping International Relations
·
US and Chinese relations in the South China Sea
o
A
Constructivist Approach to Chinese Interest in SCS
o
China’s
Rise and [Under]-Balancing in the INDO-Pacific Region
o
What
Options Are Available in the SCS?
o
SCS
Containing a Regional Conflict

Last Completed Projects