Security Studies:

Theory & Governance

2021/22

Dr. Jen Mustapha, Huron College

mONDAYS 12:30-2:30PM HUCW101

Pols 3335E - OWL POrtal

OFFICE HOURS LINK

ASsignments+Rubrics

TIP: Make sure you're logged into OWL before clicking on the links on this page

-Participation-
10%
T1 & T2
(2 term average)

Each term you'll earn marks /10 for either literal participation or in a variety of other ways including if and when attendance is not possible for you.

Participation can take several forms, You can ask questions, engage in discussions, suggest readings/ podcasts/ playlists for your colleagues, use the forums tool on OWL to start a discussion, tweet about the class etc. The main thing is to STAY ENGAGED and show that you're thinking about our course topics.

I will also be asking you to fill out a self-assessment form, which is available on OWL.

-DIScussion Prompt-

10%

T1

In designated weeks in the first term (SCHEDULE HERE), each student will be responsible for creating 2 discussion questions based on an assigned reading of their choice (first come first served) in their assigned week. You will post these questions for discussion to the course PADLET by THE SUNDAY EVENING before our class.

They will serve as prompts for our discussions. Avoid Yes/No questions or ones that solely ask for opinion. Craft questions that will generate thoughtful discussion based on what we are learning about.

-Your choice: Film Response or Think Piece-

15%

T1

For your main paper in Term 1, you can choose to do either a Film Response, or a Think Piece.

Details of both can be found on OWL.

Either way, this is a written assignment of between 1800-2200 words, not including your bibliography.

Once completed, make sure to submit your final paper by 11:59pm on the due date to your course Dropbox on OWL

-Capstone RESEARCH

PROPOSAL-

5%

T2

You must prepare a brief proposal for your final capstone paper that contains with the following information (point form is allowed):

a) the main research question(s) guiding your paper (these are questions, not a statement)

b) your expected thesis statement (it might end up changing by the time you complete your paper)

c) a brief description of your research methods, and

d) an annotated bibliography of at least 3 possible sources.

This is due to be uploaded to your course Dropbox by 11:59pm on the due date.

-Module Reflections-

10%

T1 & T2

(2 term average)

In T1 you will complete a brief reflection on your choice of Module 2, 3, OR 4 to earn marks /10.

In T2 you will complete a second reflection on your choice of Module 5, 6, 7, OR 8 to earn marks /10.

Your reflections must respond to 3 basic questions about the Module: 1) What concept did I find most interesting or useful? 2) What aspects of this module challenged me to think differently, and why? and 3) What questions am I still left with after this module.

Your reflection can be in the form of a short paper (5 pages double spaced); a short video (3 mins or so), or a short podcast (3 mins or so).

You must upload a copy of your paper to your OWL dropbox; or e-mail me a link to wherever you've hosted your video or podcast.

-Peer Response-

5%

T1

In designated weeks in the first term (SCHEDULE HERE), each student will be assigned with the responsibility of generating a peer response to the discussion questions of a colleague and the discussion that those questions generated.

After the week's corresponding meeting, you will respond to your peer's questions in the form of a comment on their post in the course PADLET In a few sentences, make constructive comments about what you liked about the questions, what you might have done differently, and what you thought of the discussion that those questions generated.

-issue Presentation-

20%

T2

In Term 2 you will prepare a 10-15 min presentation and 2-3 discussion questions on a particular case relating to your week’s topic. Your slide show presentation will include briefly stated information on the case, your analysis of how the case relates to the week’s topic, and a set of at least 2 discussion questions.

Although your issue will relate to the readings, these presentations are not meant to be a summary of the readings. As such, you are required to do independent research on your topic.

This presentation will be prepared as a recorded and annotated slide show or video that you must share with us by Friday at 12pm, the previous week. You will do so by sharing a link to your slide show in forums. This way we can all watch your presentation on our own time prior to our Monday meeting.

As part two of this assignment, our class meeting on the Monday will include a discussion you will lead based on the questions you have prepared.

This assignment will weight the substantive quality of your presentation content (10%); your presentation delivery and discussion leadership (5%), and the quality of your questions along with the discussion they generate (5%).

-Capstone ResearcH Essay-

25%

T2

You will write an academic analytical research paper (2000-2500 words- not including bibliography and end-notes), which critically explores a topic relating to security. This assignment will be left somewhat open, allowing you to develop an original argument pertaining to the themes we have been exploring in the course. This is due to be uploaded to your course Dropbox by 11:59pm on the due date.

You are free to develop a paper that relates to any relevant topic or case including those we have covered in the course. Students are free to discuss the proposed topic with me at any time and I would encourage you to think about this sooner rather than later. I will be happy to provide support and guidance, but I expect you to do the heavy lifting. At this level it is important for you to embrace and harness your intellectual curiosity and, as mentioned, develop your own topic. As such, I want you to explore and develop a research paper that examines an issue that will be of real interest to you.

The following technical criteria must be met for the final analytical research essay:

I prefer in-text parenthetical references with an APA style bibliography list, but as long as you are consistent, you may use any well-known social science or humanities style guide for writing.
The assigned number of words is part of the assignment, with some wiggle room of around 250 words in either direction. The word count does not include the bibliography, endnotes or any supporting material such as charts and tables. The word count for your essay must appear on the title page.
Your essay is required to have at least 8 substantial academic sources, which must be books/edited volumes and/or peer-reviewed journal articles only. Assigned course readings may be used as sources- please note that book-chapters do not count as a single source individually, but rather, the book that it came from counts as a single source. This means that if you used, say, 3 chapters from a single book (or edited volume), that still only counts as 1 source out of the required minimum of 8.
Multi-media (films, documentaries) or web resources (such as blogs, institutional or governmental websites etc.) can be used if cited properly, but they do not count towards the 8 required substantial academic sources.
Wikipedia and other online encyclopaedias can be useful quick-reference tools but they are not legitimate sources for an essay bibliography.