Format: 1-inch margins on all sides, double-spaced, font Times New Roman. Please label all answers clearly with the number of the question you are answering (see below).
Please do use simple parenthetical citations (no need for works cited page) whenever you refer to a concept or idea taken from a reading! For example: (Marx, 1959, p. 30). You should not be relying on any source outside of course content (i.e. what’s on the syllabus and in lectures). You may cite lectures parenthetically as well. For example: (Smith, Title of Lecture, Date of lecture).
Exam Details: This is a take-home final, so you may use any resources you have available to complete it–specifically, lecture notes, PPTs, and course materials, as this is what you will be graded on. Outside sources, websites, etc. should not be used.
Two Essays – You will answer both questions with an essay that is no longer than 4 pages double spaced each (for a total of 8-pages). You have some wiggle room, but anything that is significantly longer than 4 pages (as in more than 2-3 lines longer) will face a grade deduction.
Due to the confines of space, the essays do not require a long introduction or conclusion–instead, get right to your thesis and use the intro/conclusion to show a level of depth in understanding, rather than just summarizing or meaningless set-up.
You can assume that your graders have done the readings (so no need to summarize generally), but of course, you should explain the concepts in answering the questions as clearly and as detailed as you can to interact with course readings and show how those ideas prove your position/support your thesis.
Quotations are not a replacement for explanation. No matter what, if you quote, you will need to explain what the quote means in your own words. If you just quote and move on without explanation, the quote will not really be considered a response to the question. By far, especially in this assignment, paraphrasing will be MUCH preferred over quotes.
Question 1: Defining Development
Main Question: What is “development” and how should it be understood and expressed in the global system?
Using course materials, begin by (1) clearly defining what you think development should be. Defend and explain why you believe this is the “best” definition–convince the reader of it!
Then, given this definition, (2) describe how it would be expressed in the global system. For example, what would the most important “development institutions” be (e.g. national governments, global institutions, social movements, etc.)? What would the global economy look like? You have some flexibility here, as you can choose to describe whatever part of the global system you want to describe, but whatever you choose, be sure it is key to describing this global system. For this part of the paper, you should include at least one reading or example from the class that supports your view of how your definition of development would translate to the global system.
Finally, end your essay by (3) briefly commenting on any problems you foresee in this global system, either in terms of maintaining it or creating it. As this section would be rather brief (towards the conclusion), you do not need to cite readings here, but if some course materials would support your view, I suggest citing it simply (in a short phrase or so).
Question 2: Problems and Solutions
Main Question: What is a major problem in development and how do we solve it?
First, (1) choose a major problem in development/globalization that we have discussed in this course. Choose from the list below:
Industrialization/Economic Growth (GDP)
Free trade/markets (one or both–it’s up to you)
Poverty
Environmental Degradation
Cultural Identity Conflicts
Multinational Corporations and Labor Rights
State Corruption
Regressive Movements for Social Protection (e.g. nativism, populism, etc.)
Once you have chosen the problem you will discuss, (2) define the problem clearly. Do this by identifying and explaining the main factors and/or barriers that perpetuate this problem. Rely on course readings as well as examples from class lectures to help you.
Then, (3) continue to apply course readings/theories/ideas to suggest 2-3 possible solutions to the problem. You may want to brainstorm all possible solutions from different perspectives discussed throughout the course and then choose a few (2-3) to discuss in your paper. You will likely need to rely on applying earlier theories and course readings to see what some authors would argue is the root of the problem and how to solve it.
I am assuming these suggested solutions will call for certain entities to be of utmost importance–for example, international institutions, nation-states, or global/new social movements, etc. Make sure to highlight these and their role.
Note: Please choose possible solutions that you find convincing or meaningful. Try to avoid “straw man” arguments (arguments that are very weak, so do not choose solutions that are just not convincing).
Finally, (4) conclude by arguing for what you think is the best solution. You may choose out of the given possible solutions you outlined above in step (3), or combine a few ideas together. Do NOT come up with a completely different (undiscussed in your paper) solution that has no basis in any course materials.
