Layne - Fall 2012 - Bush School of Government and Public Service

This is a seminar, not a lecture class. The seminar format is the standard one for graduate
instruction in top U.S. universities. A seminar means that the students need to take a good deal of
the ownership of the class, and show initiative in the discussions. In a seminar, the instructor does
minimal, if any, lecturing, and stands on a more or less equal footing with the students during
discussion. The exchange of ideas through discussion is how knowledge is gained. A seminar,
however, requires commitment from the students. For this course to work, you must do the
readings, and - at equally important - think hard about the issues raised therein. Attendance, and
participation in the class discussions, is the key to making a seminar work. Therefore, although
roll will not be taken formally, it is important that you attend all scheduled class sessions.
To help focus class discussion, each student is required to submit by email to the instructor, and the
discussion leaders, by 9pm the night before class meets, one or two questions, observations, or
particularly interesting responses to the readings.
Requirements:
The grade will be based on three components: (1) Presentation of a draft paper for seminar
discussion; (2) Final term paper (on the same topic as presented for seminar discussion); and (3)
the assigned research tasks your teams produce on the shifting power dynamics of the early 21sst
century international political system. There will be no final examination.
Course Requirements/Grading:
Final Research Paper: 50% of course grade. Due Date: 7 December 2012. Papers (hard copies
only) are due in my box in the Faculty Workroom by 5pm. Papers submitted by fax or email will
not be accepted.
Papers will be an historical case studies that also incorporates the theoretical material covered the
course. Specific topics will be determined by the instructor in consultation with each student.
To the extent possible, I will try to match each student with a topic of interest to them.
By 10 September, you are required to submit to me a short (2-4) page paper proposal. This
should set out your hypotheses, data, methodology, and a short bibliography. Submit hard copy
only by 5pm, 21 September in my mailbox in the Faculty Mail Room.
Final papers are to be a maximum of 25 pages (double-spaced), exclusive of endnotes and
bibliography. Papers must be in a scholarly format, with an introduction, thesis statement, main
body, and conclusions. This is a research paper, which means you must use materials outside of
the assigned readings to enrich your argument and analysis. To avoid the dangers of plagiarism,
your sources must be properly cited. I prefer that you use the Chicago Manual citation style.
Papers will be graded on the basis of: quality of critical analysis; creativity; clarity; research effort;
and Your ability to combine theory with historical evidence..
For an excellent discussion of what makes a good research paper - and useful tips on how to write
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