Transnational politics

A paper focuses on violent transnational networks. Particularly, in Africa. Can be a comparaison between violent groups (i.e. book haram and lord resistance army) Use literature review to bring out components and compare and contrast how these violent groups have emerged and sustained ( i.e., why is Lord Resistance Army silently dying and not book haram) Must have a strong argument: (i.e., explore to which extend and under what conditions do violent non-state actors/groups emerge and sustain… Argument would be like:

These groups emerge and sustain depending on these components….). Must be a research paper. And straight to the point. (I.e., introduction might start like this: “This paper seeks to scrutinize…) ***ONLY INSTRUCTION FROM MY PROFESSOR: Students will write a 20-page research paper on a topic of their choice. Papers can either be a) empirical papers or b) a critical review of the literature on a particular topic.

Empirical papers require the selection of a research puzzle, the identification of a theory that could explain this puzzle (not an entire paradigm), and provide evidence that tests the proposed theory. Critical review papers do not simply summarize the literature on the topic.

Instead, it critically analyzes the literature and suggests a typology, areas of possible synthesis, critical weaknesses, or avenues for future research. Papers must be double-spaced with normal margins. References lists and appendices do not count towards the page limit. Papers are due on November 29 by the end of class.