Division of International Relations

Writing a Seminar Paper
 
Division of International Relations

Research question
Is it permissible to prevent Iran from conquering the nuclear weapon ?

Types of research questions
Normative: Is X justified, moral, legal?
Is selective conscientious objection in Israel and the US morally permissible or desirable?
Do the sanctions imposed on Iran over the last 4 years conform to ethical and legal standards that regulate sanctions?
Comparative: What is the difference/similarity between X and Y?
What are the differences of public diplomacy as used in the conflict between China and Tibet compared to that between E. Timor and Indonesia?
What are the differences in the laws that regulate chemical, biological and nuclear weapons?
Causal: What are the causes of a phenomenon? How does X affect Y?
How did the weather affect the success of the Allied invasion on D-Day?
What factors account for the intervention of India in East Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh war of independenc?
Functional: What is the function of X? How can the function of X be improved/mitigated?
To what extent did medical care contribute to Israel’s victory in 1948? What factors might improve the provision of medical care to host-nation allies in Iraq before 2010?
How did the Taliban use social media to their military advantage in Afghanistan until 2006.
 

Types of research questions (con’t)
Attainment: What is the best way to attain A?
Attain deterrence on Israel’s Norther border in the 1950’s?
To what extent did the revolution in Tunisia during the Arab Spring achieve its initial goals?
Identification: What are the major elements of Z ?
Of asymmetric war in Africa in the 1950’s?
What are the major elements of international law to prevent trafficking in women and others (e.g. children or workers)?
Problem solving: What is the best solution to problem B? How best to implement this solution?
What is the best way to battle propaganda against the US as it appeared during the Syrian civil war?
 

Sample Outline Was it permissible to use the atomic bomb on Japan at the of WWII?
Introduction
Short historical introduction
Definition of terms
Atomic bomb
Strategic bombing
State Thesis: It is not permissible to use the atomic bomb
Direct attacks on civilians is not permissible (rights)
There were alternative means to bring the war to an end (not last resort)
The atomic bomb would have serious consequences for future wars (future consequences)
Direct attacks on civilians are not permissible
Noncombatant immunity in WWII
The accepted norm of area bombing is misguided
Atomic bombing is fundamentally different than other forms of strategic bombing.
There were alternative means to bring about the end of the war
Demand less than unconditional surrender from the Japanese
Demonstrate the Bomb in an isolated area
Continue with strategic bombing
The atomic bomb would have serious consequences
Desire of USSR to get the bomb.
Encourages other forms of unconventional warfare
Not restrained by mutual deterrence
Conclusion
Summary
Restate thesis and proof
Future or other implications

Sample Outline Is it permissible to use animals in scientific experimentation?
Introduction
Define terms
Animals
Scientific experimentation
Medical experimentation
Other experimentation (military, cosmetic)
How are animals used
 
II. State Thesis: No, it is not permissible because:
Animals have rights
Animal testing is not effective
Other and better means are available
 

Is it permissible to use animals in scientific experimentation? (continued)
II. Animals have rights
What rights to animals have?
The right to a long, pain free life
The right not to be used as a means
The right not to be tortured
The controversy over rights: for and against animal rights
Animals have only limited rights
Animals are supposed to serve people and have no rights
III. Animal Testing is not effective
Animals are not like people and make bad test subjects
Animals have different tissue
Animals behave differently
Animal testing produces the wrong or bad results (provide data)
Animal Testing is expensive
IV. Alternative methods of experimentation are available
Different kinds of alternative methods
Human testing
Human Testing gives better results
People can give their consent and this makes it morally better than using animals.
Computer simulation
Assessment of alternative methods
Benefits
Limitations

Is it permissible to use animals in scientific experimentation? Conclusion
 
V. Conclusion
Summary
Restate thesis and proof
Future or other implications

Format
Title: Research Question
Introduction – 1-2 pages
Short background
Define terms
Answer question
Summarize thesis (3-6 sentences)
Body of Paper
Claim 1; 3-4 pages
Claim 2; 3-4 pages
Claim 3; 3-4 pages
Conclusion 1 page
Recap
Implications for research, policy etc
 
 
 
 

Guidelines for writing
Length: 15 pages (5000-5500 words)
Bibliographic sources: 10 scholarly sources
Double spaced: Ariel or Times Roman Font
Citations (no more than two lines):
Short: (Levy, 2009:3) reference page
Levy, A., History of Spain (Cambridge MIT Press, 2009): 3 (no reference page
Plagiarism: No cutting and pasting!
Automatic fail and disciplinary complaint
E copy only