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Instructions:
A. Throughout the semester students should be reading an authoritative journalistic news source and paying particular attention to articles related to political events (local, national, international). As you review such articles, think about whether any of the specific approaches to the study of politics or political terms/concepts from the course material ‘connect’ to the events being discussed. If you realize you are making such a connection, save the article for your own analysis.
B. In 1.5 (min) – 2 page (max) explain how the event(s) discussed in the news source reflect a specific approach to the study of politics or political terms/concepts from the course material. You should include references (i.e., quotes) from both the news source and the course readings within your discussion [these are the ‘connections’].
C. You must include a hard copy of the news source you are ‘connecting’. I cannot evaluate how successfully you have made a ‘connection’ without the news source. Assignments which do not include the news source are incomplete and thus, will not be considered ‘submitted’.
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Structure: This is a template you are free to follow. It offers insight into specifics you should include.
Introduction: inform reader of … (a) the concept, term or approach to the study of politics you will be discussing, (b) briefly reference the news event, with source, which you will be connecting to course material, (c) conclude with a ‘preview’ of how you will be explaining in more detail the connection in ensuing paragraphs of your paper.
Substantive paragraph 1: explain the concept, term or approach to the study of politics you will be connecting. Explain in your own words, and also offer ‘supporting’ quote(s) from course material.
Conclude with a transitional sentence to specific news event.
Substantive paragraph 2: offer reader a brief summary of the news event. From details of the news event provided, ‘connect’ to course material as explained in the previous paragraph.
Concluding paragraph: even though this is a short paper, you should offer a concluding, or ‘summing’ up, paragraph. Briefly reiterate the connection you have made. Make a final case for why this connection is accurate. NEVER include new substantive information in a concluding paragraph!!