Assingments % - Understand the Assignment’s Focus

Seven to 10 pages, double spaced and inclusive of notes submitted in APA (7th Edition) format.
• Modeled on the readings that students are exposed to in the course.
• Revolve around some cross cutting topic across the sources reviewed and serve as a launch pad for exploring a theoretical issue, empirical puzzle, or case study of interest to you.
Research: The three References to support the Review essay are up to each student.
o These references can be books, articles, or a combination thereof.
o Be careful on the date(s) your book or articles were written as DHS has evolved quite a bit since it was established in March of 2003.
o Your topic may be a good approach to finding your references, vice looking for books and articles first and then deciding on your topic
o Remember you are doing a review and not a book/article report.
o Consider comparing/contrasting books/articles when you have authors who have different opinions on the topic.
Comments from Customer
below are required course: Bullock, Jane. Homeland Security: The Essentials, 2nd Edition. (New York, Elsevier. 2018.) ISBN 978-0128044650
Ramsay, James. Critical Issues in Homeland Security: A Casebook. (Boulder, CO. Westview Press. 2014.) ISBN
978-0813348278. Discipline: Homeland Security

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

This assignment requires you to write a comprehensive 7-10 page review essay that critically examines a cross-cutting topic related to Homeland Security (DHS). The essay should explore a theoretical issue, empirical puzzle, or case study of your interest, drawing from the materials reviewed in the course. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you structure and write your essay:

1. Understand the Assignment’s Focus

Your review essay should not just summarize the content from the readings, but critically engage with the topics and explore key theoretical or practical issues in Homeland Security. This will involve comparing and contrasting the sources, identifying any areas of agreement or disagreement, and considering how the materials contribute to your understanding of the subject.

2. Select Your Topic

The first step is to identify a cross-cutting topic that links the course readings. Given the context of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), some potential topics might include:

The evolution of DHS since its establishment in 2003
The role of intelligence sharing and coordination among agencies
The intersection of national security and civil liberties
The challenges in securing borders and preventing terrorism
The effectiveness of DHS in responding to natural disasters and emergencies

You should aim for a topic that has enough complexity to warrant a deep dive while also remaining relevant to the course material.

3. Select Your Three References

For your review essay, you will need three references to support your analysis. Given that the course materials are from:

Bullock, Jane. Homeland Security: The Essentials (2nd Edition), which provides foundational insights into DHS.
Ramsay, James. Critical Issues in Homeland Security: A Casebook, which offers case studies on various aspects of Homeland Security.

You may consider additional articles, reports, or books that provide different perspectives or case studies on your chosen topic. Be sure that your sources are relatively recent (post-2003) to reflect the evolution of DHS.

4. Organize Your Essay

Title Page

Your title page should include:

The title of your essay
Your name
The course name/number
Your professor’s name
Date of submission

Introduction

Briefly introduce the topic you are exploring.
Provide a summary of the theoretical or empirical puzzle you are addressing.
State the objective of your review essay: what will you be analyzing and what do you aim to prove or explore?

Literature Review

This section will form the core of your essay. You will:

Summarize the key ideas from your chosen references.
Compare and contrast the approaches of different authors.
- For example, if one author emphasizes the importance of intelligence-sharing within DHS, and another critiques its effectiveness, discuss both viewpoints and how they contribute to the larger conversation.
Identify any contradictions, gaps, or disagreements in the literature.
Focus on exploring the topic’s theoretical and practical significance within the context of Homeland Security.

Discussion

Critically analyze the topic with the knowledge you’ve gained from your readings.
Use your sources to support your argument, but avoid merely summarizing their content.
Address how DHS has evolved over time and any challenges or successes in addressing the issue at hand.
If relevant, consider case studies that illustrate the theoretical issue or empirical puzzle you are exploring.

Conclusion

Summarize the key findings of your analysis.
Discuss the implications for future research or policy changes in Homeland Security.
Reflect on how the topic you explored is relevant to current issues in DHS and national security.

References Page

List all the sources you have cited in the essay in APA 7th edition format.
Ensure that the references are properly formatted with correct punctuation, author names, titles, and publication years.

Appendix (if necessary)

Include any additional materials, such as charts, graphs, or detailed case study information that you reference in your essay.

5. Writing and Formatting Tips

Focus on Critical Analysis: As this is a review essay, make sure you are analyzing and synthesizing the readings, rather than just summarizing them.
Use APA 7th Edition: Follow APA guidelines for formatting, citations, and references. Make sure to include a title page, headers, in-text citations, and a reference page.
Maintain a Clear Argument: Organize your essay logically. Use headings and subheadings to clearly distinguish different sections (e.g., Literature Review, Discussion, Conclusion).
Be Concise and Focused: Keep your writing clear, focused, and free from unnecessary repetition. Ensure that each paragraph directly supports your thesis.
Proofread: Before submitting, read through your paper for spelling, grammar, and clarity. Make sure your ideas flow logically and your arguments are well-supported.

6. Final Steps

Once you’ve written your essay:

Review it to ensure it addresses the chosen topic thoroughly.
Double-check APA formatting, citations, and references.
Ensure the length is between 7-10 pages (double-spaced, excluding title page and references).
Submit your paper on time!

By following these steps, you’ll be able to produce a well-researched, analytical review essay that reflects your understanding of Homeland Security and its evolving challenges. Good luck!