PSCI 4213 (Fall 2007)

Europe and the International System - HONORS

 

Presentation Guidelines

 

Each student enrolled in this honors section of PSCI 4213 will be asked to make one or several presentations on assigned readings/topics according to the schedule determined by signups.  The presentation is intended to give you practice in reading comprehension, analysis, and public speaking.  It involves three components.

 

1)      A maximum two-page written summary of each reading/topic.  This must be submitted electronically to me in advance of the class meeting for posting on the course webpage, and you must prepare twelve hard copies for distribution in class.  The key here is to provide your colleagues with a concise statement of the main arguments, evidence, and relevance of the assigned reading and a nice overview of the topic.  Be brief.  You should also include at least a few discussion questions at the end of your summary.  For guidance, I have sent a sample written summary to the class via email.

2)      A maximum 10-minute presentation of the readings/topic as a whole (whether one or more than one).  The goal here is, first, to provide a verbal analysis of the reading/topic, based on your written summary but not reading from it.  Your second goal is to organize the materials in such a way as to generate discussion possibilities.  I would like this to be a formal, professional presentation, but I also want it to be interesting and engaging.  You are encouraged to use Powerpoint and/or other technological aids in your presentation.

3)      On the basis of this summary, you should pose some discussion questions.  Class discussion, led by you, will continue for however long makes sense.

 

Your presentation will be assessed along the following dimensions:

1)      Accuracy.  Do your summary and presentation accurately capture what the reading is trying to convey?

2)      Clarity.  Do your summary and presentation clearly and concisely articulate your key claims?  Are things logically organized?

3)      Presentation Style.  How well are you communicating verbally?  Reading from notes, speaking down/at low volume/too quickly, disorganization, etc. all detract from your presentation.

4)      Analytic Strength.  You are required to do more than provide a standalone summary of the reading.  The real challenge is to develop the topic of the day and to integrate it into broader themes of interest to the class.  How well do you tie the reading into these themes, and/or draw out broader implications of the reading above and beyond the barebones summary?


Appendix I

Student Presentation: Instructor Evaluation Form

 

Name:                                                                          Date:                                                  

 

1. Written Summary

 

  • Concise & Organized (10)

 

 

 

  • Re: Arguments (10)

 

 

 

  • Re: Evidence (10)

 

 

 

  • Re: Relevance (10)

 

 

 

  • Questions (10)

 

 

 

2. Oral Presentation

 

  • Accuracy/Usefulness (10)

 

 

 

  • Clarity (organization, etc.) (10)

 

 

 

  • Style

 

·         Pacing (5)

 

 

·         Volume/Enunciation/Demeanor (5)

 

 

  • Analytic Strength (10)

 

 

 

  • Discussion (10)

 

 

 

Comments:

 

 

 

 


Appendix II

Presentation Schedule

 

DATE

DOW

WK

MTG

TOPIC

SIGNUP

Part II. National Foreign Policies

20070906

R

2

4

France: Background

 

20070911

T

3

5

France: Contemporary

 

20070913

R

3

6

United Kingdom: Background

 

20070918

T

4

7

United Kingdom: Contemporary

 

20070920

R

4

8

Germany: Background

 

20070925

T

5

9

Germany: Contemporary

 

Part III. European Foreign Policy

20071002

T

6

11

Background on the European Union

 

20071004

R

6

12

"External Relations"

 

20071009

T

7

13

EPC to CFSP

 

20071011

R

7

14

Security and Defense

 

Part IV. Transatlantic Relations

IV.A. Analytical Views

20071023

T

9

17

Mars and Venus, I

 

20071025

R

9

18

Mars and Venus, II

 

20071030

T

10

19

Mars and Venus, III

 

20071101

R

10

20

Europe's New Century, I

 

20071106

T

11

21

Europe's New Century, II

 

20071108

R

11

22

Europe's New Century, III

 

20071113

T

12

23

Another View