Assignment 1 and 2

Department of Political Studies and International Relations
HIRL 211

Assignment One and Two: 40 points
Due date: Thursday, April 15, 2010 (in class or it is late)

Please answer all the following questions:

Section A

1. What is modern political theory and why do we use it in political analysis? Provide a thoughtful short essay that utilizes concrete examples to discuss your answer. (20)

Section B
2. Discuss what is meant by the concept of nation-state in modern political theory. Why is it so difficult to be exact about what a nation signifies? (10)

3. Discuss the concept of consent in modern political theory. Be careful to provide an explanation of the differences between “express consent” and “tacit consent”. (10)

Please Note:
All answers must be typed and checked for spelling and grammar. You are expected to be thoughtful about your answers so think through what you are saying and make compelling arguments. Use illustrative examples to support your points.

Do not just copy material from sources found on the internet. You will fail this assignment if you plagiarize from any source.

Your assignment is due in class on the date indicated above. Late assignments will be penalized by 5 points per day. An assignment that is three days late will not be accepted.

If you miss this assignment for medical reasons you will need a certified letter from a medical practitioner to lodge your excuse.