Essay 2 Proposal & Annotated Bibliography

Length: 2000-2500 words (5-7 pages)

Research Requirements (see below)

Rough Draft Due: April 4-9 (date range to account for Spring break)

Final Draft Due: April 15

Essay 2: Violent Borders

Mode of Writing: Argumentation/Problem-Solution Research Paper

Problem-Solution Essays 

Problem-solution essays first (1) articulate the scope of an important problem while creating an argument for it to be immediately addressed, and second (2) articulate a solution in depth, laying out how the solution would work in a step-by-step fashion while addressing any objections to the parts of your solution.

Background

Reece Jones’ book Violent Borders situates itself on the structural inequalities necessary to creating and maintaining national borders, and the underlining goal of global equality to access resources and opportunities is a driving focus for his argument. In the conclusion to Violent Borders, Reece Jones outlines three long-term solution areas that would work to relieve global inequality with respect to accessing resources and opportunities, but he does not offer much insight as to the details of these ambitious solutions nor how they could be instituted on a global level. These solutions are categorized as:

1. Free movement between states

2. Global rules for working conditions

3. Global rules for environmental protection and limits on private property.

Jones’ explanation of these “solution categories” are prefaced with the statement: “incremental changes can often be more effective and more achievable than holding out hope for a completely different world." This problem-solution research paper asks you to propose what you believe to be the most pressing and important “incremental change” that needs to occur.

Essay Prompt 

A problem-solution paper basically asks you to articulate a complex problem and propose and explain an effective solution. Therefore, your task is:

1. to articulate what you believe to be the most pressing problem addressed in Violent Borders, provide an explanation of how this problem came about, and create an argument for it to be addressed immediately; and

2. to articulate a solution for the problem, explain how the solution will work (considering both short term and long-term goals), and explain why your solution is better than other solutions. Keep in mind that our focus is on “incremental change.” We should not presume that there is any one “ideal” solution; but we can presume that there is a “next-step” that is more effective than others.

Source Requirements

1. Accurately represent and thoughtfully discuss main points and information from Violent Borders by Reece Jones

2. Integrate academic research using at least two sources from the LPC databases (JSTOR, Academic Search Ultimate, (e)books) and at least one additional source (from the LPC databases, government or organization websites, videos, interviews, or other online sources)

3. Apply MLA formatting standards

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their ability to thoughtfully engage with the textual material and issues presented in Violent Borders; to seek out pertinent information and quotes from the book and from credible research sources; and to compose an organized essay that accurately articulates the scope of the problem and offers a well-thought-out solution. In so doing, students will be evaluated on their ability to:

1. sift through detailed factual material and separate relevant from irrelevant facts

2. assess the consistency and reliability of facts, and determine the need for and source of additional facts

3. analyze the legal rules and principles applicable to a problem and formulate theories from facts (that may be only partly known and are being developed);

4. recognize and resolve ethical issues arising in practical situations;

5. apply problem solving skills to diagnose a problem, generate alternative solutions, and develop a plan

6. communicate effectively in writing to a general audience

7. document sources correctly using MLA formatting standards