Critical Outline Assignment This is a small 2 page assignment for a 3rd year political science course.(Middle Eastern Politics) Length is to be of 2 pages and 1.5 space Answer ONE of the following qu

1. Critical outlines are brief written responses to selected course materials and outside readings.

They are designed for you to practice your descriptive, interpretive and analytical abilities. They

allow me (the reader) to evaluate how well you can summarize the central arguments and

conclusions of the course materials in the most concise way possible. Good critical outlines

engage with the major themes of the course. This involves drawing from the course’s reading

materials as well.

1. A critical outline requires that you exercise a judgment. Given the limited size and scope of the

critical outlines, you cannot simply regurgitate what you read in the readings. You must carefully

select the most important parts, given what you take to be the key arguments, concepts,

conclusions and events, while leaving yourself enough space to offer an assessment.

1. As a rule, spend one-third to half of your outline on summary and interpretation, and the remainder

on analysis.

1. Here is a brief guideline of sample questions that you might find useful to ask yourself

in composing your outlines.

What is the author’s principal argument? What is s/he trying to make us believe? Is this material

controversial in any way? In other words, is it subject to different views and interpretations? Based

on what evidence or which arguments are we asked to believe the materials presented? Finally, is

that evidence persuasive or not? Do you accept the author’s conclusions? If so, why or why not?

This assignment requires independent research. You are to consult academic articles, books, or

book chapters to reinforce ideas you develop from the course materials. A minimum of 6 citations

required. A citation list should be included at the end of the assignment. You may

use any citation style but be consistent.

Please ensure the assignment is written in mature, formal academic English appropriate for a 3rd-year university course. The writing should avoid casual language, be well-structured, and demonstrate clear critical thinking.