The New Age Armed Conflicts

POLS 202 (Fall 2023) First Take-home exam Professor Andreas Feldmann Instructions: -Please write between 3-5 pages (double space, font 12) for each question. -Please cite appropriate/relevant sources for each argument you make -Chicago style is strongly recommended (https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html) -The exam is due on Tuesday, September 19. Students are kindly requested to hand in a hard copy of their exam in class that day. Please choose ONE of the following questions: 1) War is a scourge that has had a steep, adverse effect on society since time immemorial. As a result of historical patterns and the development of technology, warfare, much like a mutating chameleon, has acquired different and increasingly complex forms. Having this context in mind, please elaborate on the changes concerning the nature of armed conflict since the end of the Cold War. A good answer will include (i) a definition of armed conflict, (ii) a discussion on the characteristics of armed conflict (e.g., character, location), and (iii) the configuration of armed conflict (what groups take part). Please utilize examples discussed in class to illustrate your answer. Rubric: Definition 1.0 characteristics. 1.0 configuration 1.0 Writing and citation 1.0 2) Social scientists investigating armed conflict are debating whether the characteristics displayed by modern internal warfare are substantially different than in the past. This heated discussion has prompted a debate regarding the ‘new wars thesis’ best articulated by Mary Kaldor. Where do you stand on this debate? Do you agree with the new war thesis? If not, explain on what grounds you disagree. Rubric: Presentation of Kaldor’s thesis. 1.0 Position on the merits of her thesis 2.0 Writing and citation 1.0 Grading Scale: A :4.0 credits points (numerical equivalent 93-100%) A- :3.7 credit points (numerical equivalent 90-92%) B+: 3.3 credit points (numerical equivalent 87-89%) B : 3.0 credit points (numerical equivalent 83-86%) B- :2.7 credit points (numerical equivalent 80-82%) C+:2.3 credit points (numerical equivalent 77-79%) C : 2.0 credit points (numerical equivalent 73-76%) C- 1.7 credit points (numerical equivalent 70-72%) D : 1 credit point (numerical equivalent 65-69%) F: 0 credit points (numerical equivalent 0-64%) Good luck!!!