Blogging Assignment for PSCI 3062
Welcome to the class blog for PSCI 3062: Revolutions and Political Violence!
A significant part of your grade this semester comes from writing and commenting on a class blog. Each student will be charged with providing two specific blog posts during the semester. To ensure we don’t all post at the same time, we will have a sign-up for these blog posts. The purpose of the blog is for everyone to keep up on current events in the Middle East & North Africa, while also providing a forum for you to engage the readings and concepts presented in class in greater depth. Here are some specifics about how to ensure you blog posts receive high marks from the class.
With this assignment, our goal is to keep abreast of the current political situation throughout the Middle East & North African region by analyzing the effects of the Arab Spring on the various countries in the region.
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Expected length
will be around 300-500 words
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The focus of your
blog post will be on your risk analysis country
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Will provide an
analysis of a particular issue or event facing the country chosen for your risk
analysis that relates to revolution or political violence
o
An introduction
to the current events issue/news item
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An explanation of
why we should care about this issue
o
An analysis of
what could happen based on theories we have discussed in class
o
Recommendations
on what should be done for policymakers
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Incorporates
theory/examples from class and/or readings
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Properly cites
the information used to generate the blog post
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Must be posted by
5pm the day before it is due
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Be sure to edit!
Proper grammar, spelling and historical facts are important. You are
broadcasting to a public audience!
o
This also means
using jump breaks for your post after a brief introduction!
o
Consider using
photos, maps, etc., to illustrate your story
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Finally, be
prepared to introduce the post at the beginning of class
The other aspect of the
blogging assignment will be to make sure that each and every student is keeping
up with the blog and commentating on the blogs. As it is difficult in a class
of forty for everyone to participate, following the blog and participating in
the discussion online when you have something to say is important for our class
to have a free exchange of ideas. If you do not participate online, your blog
grade will suffer!!
The Nitty-Gritty of the Blog Assignment
During the third week of class,
you will sign up for your two blog posts
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You will have one
post in the first half and one in the second half of the semester
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You will receive
an invitation to be an author from blogspot to your Colorado email address.
Once you sign in as an author, that sign-in will be used for both of your
posts, so do not lose that information!
·
You will receive
no reminders about when it is your turn to blog. If you miss your date, you
will lose one letter grade a day for every day your assignment is past due.
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Thus, as access
as a contributor, you are responsible for uploading your own blog entry. If you
have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask BEFORE your blog
posting is due!
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Your grade is
determined by the following:
o
Insight provided
in the post
o
Professionalism
in how the post looks
o
Your level of
participation on the blog in the comments
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