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POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative PoliticsEssay Question #2 (Summer 2010)

General Instructions: Your response must be between 3~5 single-spaced pages. You must write AT LEAST 3single-spaced pages, but NO MORE than 5 pages (suggested length: around 3.5~4.5 pages). See below for

additional instructions. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING ALL INSTRUCTIONS LISTED HERE.Failure to do so may result in a substantial deduction.

The Question

Many observersjournalists, pundits, religious leaders, politicians, and even academicsargue that there issomething uniquelyregressive about Islamic culture. On the one hand, they point to the pervasive lack ofdemocracy in the Islamic world, and assert that this must be because of an inherentconflict between Islamicvalues and the principles of individual rights, liberty, and democracy. On the hand, they point to these sameIslamic values to explain the virulent spread of terrorism, not only in the Islamic World, but also in almostevery other region of the world as well.

As a comparativistwho understands the importance of theory, method and evidence, you are extremely

skeptical of such arguments and views. At the same time, it is (empirically) clear that there is somerelationship between Islam and both the spread of terrorism and lack of democracy in the Islamic world.

With this in mind, your main task is to write an essay that refutes the simplistic premise that Islamicculture is (1) necessarily antithetical to the principles of individual rights, liberty and democracy; and (2)inherently and permanently connected to terrorism. In so doing, you mustintegrate insights from allthreeresearch traditions (cultural, structural and rational) and you must support your argument with useful,relevant, and logically compelling comparisonsand evidence.

Additional Instructions.

One of your main responsibilities in this essay is to demonstrate your mastery of the core theoretical andmethodological principles of comparative politics. However, you should not spend much, if any time,

merely summarizing or explaining these principles in your essay; instead, your primary focus should be onapplying these principles in an insightful and accurate manner (see addendum for more instructions).

Use only a 12-point font and standard margins (1 top and bottom, 1 left and right).Single-space your essay, and make sure you carefully proofread before turning in yourpaper. Papers with an excessive number of typographical errors or simple grammaticalmistakes will be severely penalized.

Do not use cover sheets, do not use plastic folders: simply staple your pages togetherin the top left hand corner. In the right hand corner, type your name, class/quarter andTake-home final See the example on the right ----------------------------------------------->

Your essay must include a separate introduction and conclusion.

DUE DATE: Beginning of the final exam period

SEE BACK PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

Joe Student

POLS 373/Fall 09

Take-Home Final

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Your main taskThe main requirement, to repeat, is first to answer the question being asked, and second, to write a responseto that question as a comparativist, which means consciously and explicitly using the analytical andmethodological concepts and tools weve discussed over the entire quarter. In this regard, one of your keyresponsibilities is to demonstrate that you not only understand, but that you can, most importantly, applywhat weve been studying. To put it differently, for the purposes of this assignment, you must put yourself

in the shoes of a researcher who believes strongly in the utility and importance of an integrative approachusing insights from all three research traditions and who believes that comparative analysis is the best wayto support an argument. You are not just writing as a comparativist, you are a comparativist.

You should begin by answering the question: What factor or factors do you think are most important? Arethese factors primarily economic, political, historical or cultural? Next, consider the relationship between oramong various factors. If you think, for example, that cultural factors are key, you must nonetheless considerhow culture interacts with politics, economics, and history to produce particular outcomes.

Keep firmly in mind that your essay must be analyticaland dispassionate. Your job, in other words, is not tocondemn or justify the consequences of Islamic culture; instead, your job is to help us explain or understandits role.

In addition, be advised that, while you obviously are required to draw from the book and lectures to answerthe questions, your response mustnot be merely a recapitulation of what we have covered. As I notedabove: DO NOT SUMMARIZE! (Do not, for example, write: A rationalist would say this , A structuralistwould say this . Instead, provide a well considered, reasoned, and insightful response, one that clearlyreflects your own thoughts.

And, again, make sure you fulfill all the stated requirements! This last point is particularly important: oftentimes a student may do a good job of addressing one requirement, but completely neglect otherrequirements. For example, the question topic requires you to provide an evaluation incorporating the threeresearch traditions; if your response addressed only one or two of the three research traditions, you will nothave met the basic requirements. If you response fails to use concrete comparisons to support yourargument, you will have failed to meet the basic requirements. I WILL POST A MODEL RESPONSE ON

MY COURSESITE LATER IN THE QUARTER.

Please let me know if you have any questions. You may e-mail me your questions anytime(tclim@calstatela.edu). However, if you wait until the last minute to ask a question (e.g., the night before theessay is due), do not expect a response.

EVALUATON CRITERIA

In evaluating or grading your essay, I will use the following rubrics:1. Comprehensiveness: Response included discussion of (a) both issues (terrorism and democracy), (b) all three

theoretical perspectives, and (c) a comparative methodological component. Major deductions will be given for anymissing element.

2. Evidence: You must provide concrete evidence to support your position.3. Accuracy: Your discussion of the perspectives accurately reflects basic principles and concepts.4. Coherence: Response is logical and consistent.5. Empirical Support: Essay includes empirical support (evidence) for the key elements of your argument.6. Writing: Response have miniumal numerbe writngi erros. well organized ; and folllws Fomating rquiments.

[Response has minimal number of writing errors, is well organized, and follows the formatting requirements.]7. Length Requirement: Essay meets but does not exceed length requirements.8. Originality/Interpretation: Your response must clearly be based on your original thoughts and analysis in relation

to the course material.

Overall Score: Sum of scores from nos. 1-8 above