It is no surprise that international and U.S. news sources differ in terms of media tone, reporting, content, and focus. In order to get a more accurate and comprehensive view of world politics, we must examine multiple news sources. Typically, international news for the mass media stems from official government positions. U.S. news not only comes from the government, but multiple sources as well. This assignment is designed to give you a more comprehensive perspective on how other parts of the world report certain issues as compared to the United States. Ultimately, there are two main goals of this project. First, you will be required to identify and apply an IR theory (i.e. realism, liberalism, constructivism, etc.) that you find the most suitable for explaining state/actor behavior. Second, you will compare international news sources with U.S. media.

Topic: Each student will choose a topic that has sparked the interest of the international community (e.g. Afghanistan, Arctic ice melt, UK withdrawal from EU, Haiti earthquake, Iran nuclear program, China’s treatment of Uyghurs, Israel-Palestine, etc. ). If you want to focus on COVID-19, you must narrow your focus to topics such as vaccine distribution, vaccine passports, etc. The topics will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis; therefore, it would be in your best interest to choose your topic quickly. Five students will be allowed per topic.

Sources: You will need to identify twenty news articles for this paper. The news source breakdown is as follows:

Three articles from national U.S. media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, or Wall Street Journal. Do not use news magazines such as Time or Newsweek or local newspapers;

Three articles from MSNBC and/or CNN;

Three articles from Fox News;

Three articles from international news sources that are typically viewed as “unbiased” such as Reuters, Associated Press or BBC.

Eight articles from other regions/countries. These sources must demonstrate diversity in terms of geography (i.e. choose articles from at least three different geographical regions such as South America, Asia, Africa, etc.). The following websites provide links to online news sources organized by regions and countries.

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

• http://inkdrop.net/news (English online international newspapers)

https://www.thebigproject.co.uk/news/#.YRqxSsYpBWM

https://www.world-newspapers.com/

You will need to include a complete bibliography of all news sources that reflects a consistent and accurate citation format.

• Paper format and requirements (5-7 pages)

Introduction and summary (1 page): The introduction (half page) is the most important part of any well-written paper. It is meant to capture the attention of the reader as well as lay out your arguments. It should not be generic and it should be free from language such as “in this paper I will discuss.” Make it interesting. Be creative. Follow your introduction with a brief summary (half page) of the main points and circumstances involved with the issue. Make sure to include the domestic, as well as international actors, response, etc. The summary must be succinct, concise and clear. This section will be the most difficult portion of the assignment since you must summarize and synthesize a great deal of information in no more than half of a page. Direct quotes are not allowed.

• Reflection (4-5 pages): There are three components to this section.

The first component (1-2 pages) involves the application of a specific IR that can be used to explain domestic and international response. Choose an IR theory (e.g. classical realism, neoliberalism, constructivism) that best explains the domestic, as well as international response to the situation Why is this theory the most appropriate? How and why does this theory explain state response? Overall, you will argue how this situation illustrates the specific IR in international politics.

• The second component (2-3 pages) includes an assessment of the overall presentation of news. Describe the tone (neutral, informing, accusatory, etc.), presentation (objective, subjective, etc.), persuasiveness, trustworthiness, etc. for each article. Which articles are the most informative, persuasive, value-laden, biased, etc.? Describe how the coverage from the international news sources differ or are similar to U.S. media news, and speculate why the news sources differ.

Do not describe each article you read. Rather, group articles based on similar themes/approaches/content/analysis.

• The third component (1-2 pages) involves your pondering where you think the issue is headed in regards to domestic/regional/international response. Be sure to consider course readings or discussions. How can the readings be used to broaden our understanding, as well as explain the situation?

Overall, I will be looking for creative, insightful and thoughtful responses that balance opinion with the articles.

• Useful citation and writing links:

Comprehensive writing resource: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html

• APA citation format:

http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocAPA.html

• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

MLA citation format:

• http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocMLA.html

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

How to avoid plagiarism and successfully paraphrase/quote material:

http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QuotingSources.html

Developing a thesis statement: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Thesis.html

• How to write a strong introduction: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Introductions.html