First Essay

Address the following tasks in a well-written essay of 5 pages (see syllabus for format
requirements). Outline your response, ensuring that you integrate course material into a clear
and succinct argument. Citations and bibliography are required and do not count toward paper
length. Thoroughly develop, edit, and proofread your essay.

Task: Drawing on the film The Battle of Algiers (a film set in the midst of the Algerian War of
Independence), class lectures/notes, and course readings, write an essay that does the
following:

1. Presents your analytic findings from the application of two theories covered in the
course. One of the theories must be either realism or rational choice theory. You
may choose your second theory from any covered in the course through the due
date of the essay. You should present two sets of findings regarding the conflicts
causes and dynamics. In other words, you are expected to produce a set of findings
as revealed by each theory (a lens if you will) and support each finding with
evidence.
2. Compares and contrasts the findings, arguing why one, both or neither provides the
most convincing explanation for the causes and key dynamics of the conflict.

Due at the beginning of class on 4 October. Bring a hard copy to class and send me a digital
copy via email