POLS305 International Security and Conflict: Assessment 1 – Analytical Essay Write a 1,200- to 1,500-word analytical essay evaluating contemporary United States foreign policy options regarding the geopolitical rise of China and international security dynamics.
Assessment context The shifting dynamic between the United States and China dictates global economic and military security architectures. Students must evaluate historical precedents, ranging from the Century of Humiliation to subsequent ideological shifts under leaders from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping, to frame current diplomatic tensions accurately. The task requires assessing distinct foreign policy trajectories, specifically accommodation, containment, or direct confrontation. Scholars and policymakers continuously debate the utility of traditional international relations theories in predicting the outcome of these bilateral interactions.
Learning outcomes Analyze historical factors shaping modern Chinese domestic and foreign policy decisions. Evaluate competing international relations theories applicable to current global power distributions. Synthesize peer-reviewed academic literature to formulate a coherent policy assessment. Task instructions Structure the essay with a defined introduction, analytical body paragraphs, and a logically derived conclusion. Examine the historical context of Chinese political evolution and its direct influence on current international posturing. Assess the strategic viability of at least two United States foreign policy responses to Chinese economic and military expansion. Format the entire document using APA 7th Edition guidelines, including title page, typography, and spacing. Incorporate a minimum of five peer-reviewed academic sources published between 2018 and 2026. Marking criteria Historical and Contextual Analysis (25%): Accuracy and depth in outlining the political evolution of the Chinese state and its grievances. Policy Evaluation (35%): Critical assessment of United States strategic options, avoiding simplistic conclusions. Evidence and Integration (20%): Application of current peer-reviewed literature to substantiate theoretical claims. Structure and Formatting (20%): Adherence to word count limits, logical argument flow, and flawless execution of APA 7th Edition citation mechanics.