Foreign Policy Memo Final Draft

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INR2001 - Spring 2019 Foreign Policy Memo Writing Guidelines

Format: • The Final Foreign Policy Memo should be addressed to the identified leader and should

incorporate the following components: - Should include standard memo headers (To: From: Date: Re:) - Overview of the identified problem or issue, including a one-sentence summary of the

problem/issue facing the leader/state/organization as well as the proposed solution/recommendation; relevant background and an analysis of the of the causes of the problem, using relevant academic literature and other published sources (e.g. media, IGO, and NGO reports).

- Identification and explanation of the political, security, and/or economic interests at stake for the identified leader/state/organization. In other words, why does the identify problem/issue matter for the relevant leader/state/organization? Let the decision maker know why he or she should address this issue now. Why it is an important issue?

- Discussion of THREE (3) policy options, drawing from theories of international relations and other concepts discussed in the course, and evaluation of the pros, cons, and tradeoffs of these options for furthering the interests of the identified leader/state/organization. This discussion should refer to relevant EMPIRICAL evidence, including analogous historical cases, and discuss the possible obstacles to implementing each of the identified options.

- Recommendation of the BEST (or least-worst) available option for addressing the problem/issue in accordance with the interests of identified leader/state/organization, including an explanation of why the selected option is preferable to others.

- Remember: the recommended option/s must be in the national/organizational interests of the person you are advising, not the interests of the nation of which you are a citizen.

General Guidelines: • Citations:

- Students may use any standard reference style (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago), but should use a consistent format though the paper (appropriate in-text citations or footnotes, following a standard reference style documenting all outside sources).

o MLA style: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_ guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html

o APA style: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_ guide/general_format.html

- Note: Students must be careful to attribute all ideas that are not their own (including both direct quotations and summaries or paraphrases of others’ ideas).

• Word Counts:

- Students must adhere to the designated word counts: 1500-2000 words for the Final Memo. • Formatting:

- All submissions must be typed in standard font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman), 12-point with 1’’ margins all around, and single spaced.

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- The proposal as well as the Final Memo should include standard memo headers (To: From: Date: Re:).

- Example: To: [name of the leader you are advising]; From: [your name]; Date: [assignment due date]; Re: [issue].

• Submissions:

- Both the Proposal and Final Memo should be submitted electronically via Turnitin on the course Canvas site.

• Deadlines and Extensions:

- The Final Foreign Policy Memo is due on April 21st (Sunday, Week 15) no later than 11:59pm. It has to be submitted electronically via the Canvas site.

- If submitted on time, the Final Memo is worth maximum 81 points; submissions turned in after the deadline are worth zero (0) points. Extensions will be granted only in case meeting the criteria for “schedule absence” as outlined in the “Attendance” section of the course syllabus.

• The Final Foreign Policy Memo (max 81 points) will be grade according to the following

criteria: - Overview (max 18 points):

§ 4 points: clear statement of the problem or issue, identification of relevant actors, and the solution/recommendation;

§ 6 points: discussion of relevant historical and political background to the § problem/issue, using reliable sources; § 8 points: accurate analysis of the causes of the problem or issue, using reliable

sources and referring to relevant international relations theories or concepts where appropriate.

- Interests (max 18 points; 6 points x 3 interests=18 points) § 3 points: clear specification and discussion of relevant political, economic, etc.

“interest” of the leader/state/organization, using relevant international relations theories, concepts, and empirical evidence as appropriate;

§ 3 points: explanation of relevant obstacles to achieving identified interests with respect to the problem or issue.

- Policy Options (max 27 points; 9 points x 3 options=27 points) § 4 points: clear statement of policy option, including overview of how the policy

would plausibly serve the interests of the identified leader/state/organization; § 5 points: logical discussion of pros, cons, and tradeoffs of each option,

drawing upon relevant empirical evidence and historical analogies of similar case as appropriate.

- Recommendation (max 10 points) § Logical explanation of the relevant advantages of the recommended policy option

compared to alternative options. Why the selected option is preferable to others? - Overall quality and clarity of the Memo

§ 4 points: citations/correct use of standard English grammar; § 4 points: overall structure of the Memo, i.e., logical sequencing and appropriate

transitions between sections and ideas.