essay spec

Essay Writing Prompt

Background One of the critical things I want you to take from this course is the importance of organization when it

comes to a society's ability to use organized violence. This essay will have you look at how organization

influences warfare.

The Assignment Using the Textbook, Beyond War, Tribe, and at least one other source that is not assigned for this class,

respond to the following three writing prompts:

Between the text, Fry's writing, and Tribe there is a clear connection between social organization and

warfare. What are the strengths and weaknesses that this connection presents when preparing for,

engaging in, and recovering from warfare?

What challenges does modernity post to this correlation?

Identify a war of your choice and discuss the cultural and structural (organization) elements that are

important to the war you chose. In response to this section you will want to research a war and briefly

describe the war, then in more depth describe how the culture and structure was both used and

changed by the war. Remember that quality responses will include specific, well-documented details

about the cultures, the preparations for war, and the war itself.

GRADING Your essays will be graded based on the grading criteria listed on the essay grading page. Essays will be

docked 10 points per day late. I will only accept late essay assignments for full credit in the event of a

documented medical or family emergency.

FORMAT Your essay should be 4 to 6 pages long (a cover sheet is not necessary). It should be in 12-point font,

double-spaced, and with 1 inch margins. Writing much less than 4 pages will hurt your grade. You should

rely on materials covered in the course, but are welcome to use other sources you find as well. You must

use the APA system for references. This system is described in the "APA Citation Guide", which is posted

on Blackboard. This essay is an important part of your grade so devote adequate time to it. If you have

trouble writing essays you can receive writing assistance at the University Writing Center (see syllabus

for more information).

Good Luck!