8-10 page paper

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387 P o l i t i c s o f t h e M i d d l e E a s t e s s a y o f i d e o l o g i c a l a n a l y s i s The idea here is to select an ideology related to the Middle East (Arab Nationalism, Liberalism, Feminism, Nasserism, Baathism, Marxism, Palestinian or Kurdish Nationalism, variations of Islamism and so forth) and discuss it from the perspective of its origins, its characteristics and consequences. I . S t r u c t u r a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s A . T i t l e Include two dimensions in your title. The first should be descriptive language referring to the paper’s subject matter. And the second should refer to your main point or argument. B . I n t r o d u c t i o n Your introduction should do four things: (a) make it clear why the study of the ideology is important, (b) a sense of the chief intellectual challenge it poses in terms of our understanding of the Middle East, (c) a brief statement as to your main finding and (d) a brief overview of the paper. C . C o n t e x t This section is where you will establish the groundwork for your analysis. You can begin by locating your ideology within the larger historical context (what was happening at the time, etc.). Say something here regarding (a) ideas and actors involved and (b) a general discussion regarding their historical development. D . D i s c u s s i o n In this part of the paper, you can (a) introduce the ideology or belief-system under review, (b) identify its sources (local or external influences), and (c) state its main assumptions regarding the way the ideology seeks to explain past, present and future. …you can deal with these sections (D and E) as distinct parts of the essay or merge them, depending on how your paper flows… E . A n a l y s i s Here you can analyze the ideology or belief system you have selected. This you can do with several things in mind: (a) its internal, intellectual, coherence, (b) its successes and (c) its failures or shortcomings. F . C o n c l u s i o n Restate the main intellectual issue to emerge from the ideology or belief-system you have chosen. Then, restate what you take to be the main point to emerge from your analysis. And, finally, offer some comments as to the implications of this story for the future.

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I I . T e c h n i c a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s A . S o u r c e s JSTOR will be very important here. So too will be the coverage from the Times of London, The New York Times and other news services. B . S t y l e About the style of the composition, three quick points will suffice. First, you will not need a title page, just get right to it (name, course number in upper right or left, single-spaced). Second, use only Times New Roman and standard margins. And third, in addition to your paper’s title, use section-headings to announce points of transition in the essay (a single word or a short phrase that captures the essence of what is coming in the section). C . C i t a t i o n s Please use footnotes after the fashion of the Chicago Manual of Style. With regard to the footnotes, remember to put them in times new roman and bring them down to ten point font. Also, provide a bibliography.