“‘Critical’ does not mean destructive, but only willing to examine what we sometimes presuppose in our own way of thinking, and that gets in the way of making a more liveable world.” Judith Butler.
Discuss, in light of the critique of the discipline of International Relations made by one of the following critical theories: Marxism, Feminism, Poststructuralism or Postcolonialism.
Hahn Tapper & Sucharov, Chapter 2 (“Self-Determination”)
Op-Eds
Musa al-Gharbi, “Israel and Palestinians Need a One-State Solution,” Al Jazeera (6 January 2015), http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/1/israel-palestineunitedstatesunitednationsonestatesolution.html
Mahmoud Abbas, “The Long Overdue Palestinian State,” (16 May 2011). The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/opinion/17abbas.html?_r=0
Diana Buttu, “Why the Palestinian Authority Should be Shuttered,” The New York Times (26 May 2017) https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/opinion/palestinian%2Dauthority%2Dmahmoud%2Dabbas.html?_r=0
Naftali Bennett, “For Israel, Two-State is No Solution,” New York Times (5 November 2014) http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/opinion/naftali-bennett-for-israel-two-stateis-no-solution.html
Dov Waxman and Dahlia Scheindlin, “Hope fades for a two-state solution. Is there another path to Middle East Peace?” The Guardian (8 May 2016). https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/israel-palestine-two-state-solution-another-path-topeace
Peter Beinart, “I No Longer Believe in a Jewish State,” New York Times (8 July 2020)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/opinion/israel-annexation-two-state-solution.html
will post a 350-word discussion of the readings/films, concluding with identifying a question(s) that the author(s)/filmmaker(s) doesn’t/don’t address.
Discussion: The U.S. in 2025
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Imagine the U.S. government and society in the year 2025. What structural and policy changes would you like to see? Please refer to at least two structural changes discussed this semester. For example, would you expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court? Would you eliminate the filibuster, gerrymandering, or the Electoral College? Would you change the way campaigns are financed? What are the obstacles to getting the changes you would like to see? What can we do, individually and collectively, to overcome these obstacles?
As usual, write a 250-word post, including references,
This week’s reading touches on the idea of intersectionality, which is “the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage” (Tapper & Sucharov, 2019, p. 201). Numerous communities are involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some dominant, others subordinated, and many who have identified as being marginalized. The reading explains how the search for social justice in Israel/Palestine points to a need to look at the relationships between some of these groups.
The reading explains Black-Palestinian solidarity by examining the relatively new alliances made between Palestinians and African American activists in an “intersectionality of struggles” (Tapper & Sucharov, 2019, p. 201). The reading does this by uncovering the conditions that have allowed a sense of solidarity to take place by tracing the “historical context of both struggles” and exposing their shared components (Tapper & Sucharov, 2019, p. 201).
The reading explains that the processes of “institutionalized racism against and dehumanization of African Americans in the United States and Palestinians in Israel/Palestine” have been extensively documented, thereby facilitating a “belief in a common struggle against oppression” (Tapper & Sucharov, 2019, p. 206). An example for both cases is the mass incarceration of Black men in the United States and of Palestinians in Israel/Palestine. For both of these groups, they are trapped by a criminal justice system that is rigged against them.
The reading also argues that, given an increase in participation of African Americans in supporting Palestinians’ rights, we may be seeing a “shift from the dominance of pro-Israel politics in mainstream American discourse into a new territory where such notions are openly challenged and rejected” (Tapper & Sucharov, 2019, p. 211). Throughout the years, Israel has found itself in various stages of affinity with the United States. Understanding the significance of this link, and how it may be evolving, may prove to be beneficial in understanding a shift in the dominant discourse.
Questions one should consider:
How could a Black-Palestinian bond open up spaces for joint struggles against oppression in both the United States and Israel/Palestine?
How has the American attitude towards Israel/Palestine shifted and changed over the years? How will this impact American relations with Israel/Palestine in the coming years?
Works cited
Tapper, A. J. H., & Sucharov, M. (2019). Social Justice and Israel/Palestine: Foundational and Contemporary Debates. University of Toronto Press.
will post a 250-word response to a classmate (pick any classmate; hopefully students will spread themselves around…). Responses should draw on your knowledge from the course material. I also encourage you to indicate how we would go about finding the answer to the question(s) posed. What further info would we need? What kind of study might we design?
Essay (30%). You will be graded on one essay of approximately 1,500 words double-spaced. Start early, read the texts, digest the material, construct an outline, write your essay, take the time to proofread your work, make necessary edits, submit on time by the due date [Sunday, November 21] on Canvas Turnitin. Late papers are subject to a 10-point penalty, which increases one point each subsequent day until it is received. Your essay should:
1) Apply at least three distinct international relations theories/approaches to a contemporary or historical issue or event in global politics (terrorism, nuclear weapons, climate change, human rights, COVID, Palestinian statehood, women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, European integration, US-Russia relations, etc.).
Guidelines: This paper tests your ability to think analytically, organize effectively, and construct a logical, thoughtful argument. Begin each paragraph with a main topic sentence; each paragraph should have a purpose and make an assertion. You may use any style; if you have not already adopted one, I recommend the Chicago Manual of Style. Some stylistic points: Avoid personal pronouns, like ‘I, me, you, we, our, us, them’ and avoid terms like ‘I believe’, ‘I think,’ instead state your sentence clearly and boldly (ex. ‘I believe that Mars is more nationalistic than Venus,’ better as: ‘Foreign occupations appear to increase feelings of nationalism. After Jupiter invaded Mars, Martians became very hostile to foreign rivals. In the 1930s, Mars even attacked the Earth and attempted to subjugate the Earthlings as a result. Meanwhile, Venusian culture has emphasized tolerance and compassion and has no history of xenophobia.’). Do not (don’t) use contractions and for numbers up to 10, write out (i.e. 2 should be two). Try to follow the outline below. Arrange by themes, prioritize the strongest with examples/cases and logical reasoning, and compare the two countries according to that theme.
I. III.
IV.
Introduction with thesis, i.e., your main argument
-Explain the full essay to the reader in 1-2 paragraphs. Include the thesis/main argument, major reasons supporting the thesis, and a brief description of components of the essay.
Analysis (i.e., your argument)
Theme 1: Realism is the most salient explanation for why the United States and China are experiencing growing tensions over trade and security. [Topic sentence followed by evidence] Theme 2: Liberalism is less salient in explaining why the United States and China are experiencing growing tensions over trade and security, but it does provide insight into why they maintain relatively close diplomatic and economic ties. [Topic sentence followed by evidence]
Theme 3: Marxism is also salient in explaining how the new social class of elites in China have partnered with American corporate counterparts to promote foreign investment and neoliberal trade policies. [Topic sentence followed by evidence]
Conclusion
-Assert your findings (perhaps summarize the main points of each theme from section III) and explain which theory best explains the choices made on that topic, or why all of them are applicable, or how they are in contrast or may be synthesized
Paper for PO 112 Due Thursday, December 9
Your paper for this course is due by last class. You may hand it in sooner if you would like it returned evaluated and graded.
Your topic can be on anything covered in our text. If you aren’t sure of a topic, please ask me for some guidance.
Length: 4-5 pages
Format: APA
Sources: There is no absolute minimum, but you should strive for at least three sources, if not more. Important: Remember that you Must cites all facts, ideas, statistics, and information in the text where you have used them. I will review proper citation in the seventh week of the course.
