Social and Political Sciences
Essay Assignment Instructions
You are required to write AT LEAST FIVE typed pages (double-spaced standard font and
margins, not including title page and references). A variety of sources must be used and
acknowledged. This means that source in-text citations, endnotes, and/or footnotes as
well as a bibliography must be in your essay. Journal articles, books, newspapers,
interviews and carefully scrutinized Internet articles are all viable sources.
The appropriate readings in your course materials are a great place to start. Avoid
relying too heavily on any of your sources. A wide variety of sources will strengthen your
paper. Your essay is worth 20% of your final mark.
Choose ONE of the following topics:
1. What role should political protest play? Is violence effective or justifiable as part of a
protest?
2. If you had the power to change Canada’s political system would you keep the
parliamentary system or switch to the presidential system? Make sure you discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
3. Discuss the differences between democratic and non-democratic systems. Do non-
democratic systems have a future in the world or is the spread of democracy
inevitable?
4. Liberal internationalism and realist theoretical approaches to international relations
have different explanations for the causes of war and the conditions for peace and
security. Briefly explain how each theory views international relations. Be sure to
discuss key differences between the theories. Argue in favour of one of these
theories and provide concrete foreign policy example to explain your choice.
5. Choose a developing or underdeveloped country in the world and discuss why it has
not developed. What is holding your chosen country back?
6. Choose a country or region of the world that is currently suffering from a conflict.
Discuss the conflict and possible ways it could be resolved.
Research Essay
/20
Summary of the Topic
/5
5 Excellent/creative summary of the topic
Demonstrates knowledge of the topic
4 Very good knowledge and analysis of the topic
3/4 Above average knowledge and analysis of the topic
3 Average knowledge and analysis of the topic
<3 Below average knowledge and analysis of the topic
Poor knowledge and analysis of the topic
Overlook important aspects of the topic
Strength and Clarity of the Argument
/5
5 Very clear and strong Argument
4 Above average argument
3 Average argument
2 Unclear or inconsistent argument
1 Little argument present/very poor or unclear argument
0 No argument present
Writing Style
/5
5 Written in a clear, concise, and grammatically correct manner (very few spelling
and grammatical errors)
3 Minor/few spelling/grammatical errors
2 Major/frequent spelling/grammatical errors
1/0 Constant spelling/grammatical errors
Referencing/Research
/5
5 Used more than 8 reliable sources and referenced them in a proper manner
3 Used at least 5 reliable sources and referenced them in a proper manner
2 Used some questionable sources or did not reference in a proper
Manner but used at least one reliable source
1 Used unreliable sources and did not reference in a proper manner
0 Did not use any sources or did not reference the sources used
