World History Since World War II
—Final Examination—
Take the next week to answer ONE of these two questions in the form of an essay:
1) Who won the Cold War? In your answer, you might argue that this was as close to total victory as
one can expect from such a protracted and complex struggle. But you should at least consider
states and organizations other than the superpowers—e.g., newly-independent countries,
international institutions, NGOs, transnational movements, or political, social and economic ways
of thinking and their followers, etc.—to identify winners and losers. You also need to think not just
of one moment in time, but the years that followed, and how the outcome continued to shape
world politics. To make your argument, you need to define the Cold War, explain what you mean
by winning or losing, and give three examples of what victory (or defeat) looked like in three
different parts of the world. Alternatively, you can argue that victory in the Cold War was – and is
– less significant in shaping the contemporary world than other struggles, but here again be
careful to define your terms and give specific examples.
2) In this course, we have traced the erosion of state sovereignty by forces including technological
changes, capital markets, international and non-governmental organizations, and transnational
social movements since 1945. Choose three themes arising in the 25 years following World War
II related to state sovereignty and discuss how they show continuities with the post-Cold War
period or even continue into the present. Alternatively, use three case studies to argue that the
continuities are exaggerated, and that in fact the world changed in every way that mattered. Be
sure to define state sovereignty and what its erosion means. Make sure to include and cite
relevant primary and secondary source readings from the course and discuss at least two
different regions of the world.
Extra Credit: Find a relevant document or create a data visualization using the FOIArchive to support your
argument. It’s just one point for this assignment, but effective use of primary sources (including from the
course readings) always counts for a lot.
PLEASE KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND
— You need to make some of your own arguments and incorporate material from the readings, including
primary source readings, using standard Chicago or MLA citation format (do not just repeat lecture
material).
— Your answer should be a compact, well-crafted essay with a clear thesis. You will be judged for style as
well as substance (do not simply write everything you know).
— Leave time for proofreading (do not assume spell-checking will suffice, errors will detract from your
grade).
— The exam must be no more than 3,000 words, including notes, double-spaced, times 12-point font,
with one-inch margins (overly long or hard-to-read exams make graders cranky).
Your TA will tell you how to submit your essay (e.g. hard copy, e-mail, or through Courseworks
Assignments). BUT MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR NAME BOTH IN THE FILE NAME AND AT THE TOP
OF THE EXAM.
There will be AUTOMATIC penalties for lateness: 1 point (out of 30) if it’s not submitted by the end of the
day next Thursday, May 15, and another point for each additional day. Only a serious family or medical
emergency — with supporting documentation — will constitute an acceptable excuse. Computer
problems will not, so BACK UP OFTEN.
COLLABORATION OF ANY KIND BETWEEN STUDENTS IS PROHIBITED
World History Since World War II
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