ISCS 626 Comparative Civil Security Systems - The comparative study (60%) and presentation (10%) A 3000-5000 word paper which compares a variable/indicator of civil security in the UAE with a foreign country. The paper needs to be in a report form (with headings). The assignment requires you to develop a hypothesis (and then a research question) about a relationship which can be answered through some form of comparison. The question cannot be a compare and contrast question. Examples of hypotheses are: • Countries only make dramatic improvements in their national security arrangements following major security failures • A focus on inter-agency cooperation in national security arises from failures in inter-agency cooperation during the response to crises • Monarchies conflate regime security with national security more than democratic forms of government Once you have a hypothesis, turn this into an explanatory question, and develop an appropriate comparative methodology including justification for the selection of the cases (whether it is small-n or large-n) Oral Presentation Students will make a 15 minute presentation plus having 5 minutes of questions based on your comparative study. Student presentations will be evaluated based on their: 1. Organisation and structure 2. Content and knowledge 3. Visual aids 4. Delivery and speaking skills 5. Presentation length The comparative study (written paper rubric) Student ___________________________________ Date __________ Grade __________ Inadequate (0-73 points) Developing but below expectations (73-79 points) Meets Expectations to Accomplished (80-92 points) Excellent to Exemplary (93-100 points) Student displays no indication that they have studied the subject. The work has few or incorrect facts and displays no understanding of the subject. The language prevents understanding of the intended meaning. Does not contain the requirement elements. Student displays limited evidence of having studied the subject. Facts are sparse and analysis is basic. The language prevents understanding of the intended meaning. Has some of the required elements in a basic form. Student displays a solid knowledge of the subject as reflected in the course lectures and reading materials. The student uses adequate amounts of information to illustrate the issues, and engages the material critically to some degree. Has all of the required elements to a sound level. Student displays a deep knowledge of the subject, demonstrated by applying the material taught in the course as well as additional material (including concepts) they have personally discovered. Extensive, critical engagement with the material. Has all the required elements in detail and extended information beyond the requirements. Comments Grade Introduction containing (20%) • Thesis (what is being argued) • Problem statement (justification of why this is an important comparison) • Explanation of why the countries/issues were selected and why it is a valid comparison • Roadmap of where the essay is going • Sufficient background to the issue to make all of the above understandable Body containing (40%) • Was a point-by-point or block discussion used? • Was there comparative information provided on each point? • Was a comparison done for each point that identified differences and similarities? • Was their sufficient evidence to allow the hypothesis to be proved or disproved? • Was the argument valid to allow the hypothesis to be proved or disproved? Conclusions containing (10%) • Summary of the paper’s thesis and answer • Indication of what the findings mean or their significance References (10%) • APA style English and layout (20%) • Was the English of an acceptable standard? Eg each paragraph had a topic sentence • Was the paper in an appropriate format? • Was the paper free from plagiarism? Total   The comparative study (oral presentation rubric) Student ___________________________________ Date __________ Grade __________ Mark Inadequate (0-73 points) Developing but below expectations (73-79 points) Meets Expectations to Accomplished (80-92 points) Excellent to Exemplary (93-100 points) C- and below C to C+ B- to A- A to A+ Presentation organisation and structure (10%) • Was not structured around the recommended or appropriate thesis proposal structure • Not possible to understand presentation due to absence of structure • Mostly structured around the recommended or appropriate thesis proposal structure • Difficult to follow presentation due to erratic topical shifts and jumps • Was structured around the recommended or appropriate thesis proposal structure • Most information is presented in logical order which is easy to follow • Was very well structured around the recommended or appropriate thesis proposal structure • All information is presented in a logical, interesting and novel sequence, which is easily followed Presentation visual aids (10%) • No, irrelevant or inadequate visual aids which detracts from information transfer • Occasional use of visual aids, however they barely support text or presentation • A number of misspellings and/or grammatical errors on slides • Not easy to read • Frequent use of visual aids that support text or presentation • Minor misspellings and/or grammatical errors • Easy to read • Frequent use of visual aids that strongly support text or presentation • Negligible misspellings and/or grammatical errors • Very easy to read Delivery and speaking skills (10%) • Significant mumbling and incorrect pronunciation of terms • Voice level too low or too high • Monotonous, no eye contact, rate of speech too fast or too slow • Lack of content terms • Occasional mispronunciation of terms • Little eye contact, uneven rate, only little expression • Occasional use of content terms • Voice is clear and at a proper level • Most words pronounced correctly • Some eye contact, appropriate rate of speaking • Good use of content terms • Clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms • Good eye contact, appropriate rate of speaking, enthusiasm, confidence • Frequent use of content terms Presentation length (5%) • Far too long or too short (±40% from the set time) • Too long or too short (±30% from the set time) • Reasonably on time (±20% from the set time) • On time (±10% from the set time) Content (65%) Inadequate based on the elements detailed in the written paper rubric (i.e. covering the introduction, body and conclusions sections) Developing but below expectations based on the elements detailed in the written paper rubric (i.e. covering the introduction, body and conclusions sections) Meets Expectations to Accomplished based on the elements detailed in the written paper rubric (i.e. covering the introduction, body and conclusions sections) Excellent to Exemplary based on the elements detailed in the written paper rubric (i.e. covering the introduction, body and conclusions sections)