II. Essay:
General Instructions: Remember, the main goals here are three in number: 1) make sure you identify and then utilize at least one of the primary sources we’ve covered in class in at least one of your essays (which means in your preparation identifying those sources that would be appropriate); 2) make certain that you develop an argument or overall point that you want to make for each of the three questions and 3) make sure that you support each of the points you make in the essay with some kind of evidence, whether from the primary source(s) you choose or from another source (like lecture or the textbook). When I grade the essays, I will be measuring performance based on the above three goals in addition to the particular requirements of each question.

A. Analytical/Interpretive Essay (90 points, I will choose one of the questions below)

1. Using what you have learned in this course about the 20th century, including the period after World War II, make a case for or against a developing country's embracing globalization, i.e. the increasing integration of cultures and societies in an interlocking world-wide system of economic, social and political forces.

 
2. Western democratic nations often portray themselves as bastions of freedom and promoters of international welfare, a habit they got into in the course of the 19th century and one which was reinforced by the Cold War after World War II.  Given what you now know about the post-World War II era, write an essay in which you defend or oppose the following statement: Outside their own borders, the policies of Western liberal democracies in the post-World War II era have been no more, but certainly no less, repressive than those enacted by states more often thought of as authoritarian, such as the People's Republic of China.

 
3. Although ostensibly on opposite sides of the Cold War, in reality South Africa and Communist China were actually very similar societies in terms of their approach to organizing social and economic life.  Agree or disagree and explain why.
   

1. You must use a blue-book provided by me.
2. You must bring nothing into the examination except something with which to write, preferably a pen. No book-bags, papers, notes etc.
3. To the extent possible you must sit every other seat on examination day.
4. Anyone not adhering to the above three conditions will not be allowed to sit the examination.