Engl 101 Mason Topics
Fall 2006 Paper #5

For Thurs Nov 16th, write a 4 page paper (typed and double spaced) on ONE of the questions below.  Print out two copies of the paper--one for Gov101 and one for Engl 101.  The questions cover several of the issues we have worked on since you finished your guided research paper in Engl 101 and that you discussed in your Mason Topics Gov 101 class.  Whatever your topic, follow the MLA, APA, or Chicago documentation guidelines in Hacker (depending on your prospective major).  Include in-text citations and a works cited or reference page.   Make sure you indicate which of the three formats you are using.   You will have the option of continuing your work on this subject as you work on your annotated bibliography for the final research project you will present to the class on Dec 12th. 

1) Violence has often been an instrumental and formative element in either shaping nationalist movements and/or solidifying state power.  On the one hand, democratic nations have often used violence to suppress nationalist movements as an issue of law and order.  In some cases, the use of state violence is justified because nationalist movements have intensified their violent activities against law abiding citizens and subjects.  On the other hand, nationalist movements have resorted to violence because democratic channels have failed to produce adequate or meaningful results.  If anything, nationalist movements are often caused by unwarranted and unjustified state violence.  Thus their use of violence is often seen as a last resort and a purely defensive measure.  Choose a position from either the perspective of the State and its people, or from a nationalist movement, on the question and use of violence.  Must violence be an outcome when democracy fails?  What is the danger of using violence from either side(s)?  Can violence be justified or rationalized as an acceptable choice?  OR,

2) Consider whether--and if so, under what circumstances--democracies are justified in restricting civil liberties, suspending normal democratic procedures, or using force (either domestically or internationally) to counter threats to public safety.  Provide a specific focus for your argument by taking a position on ONE of the following issues: 

• The use of bombing and/or torture as political and military tools in The Battle of Algiers
•  Limiting broadcaster's 1st Amendment rights in order to protect children as discussed in Minow's Abandoned in the Wasteland
• Placing restrictions on civil liberties (due process, trial by jury, etc.) to counter the threat posed by gangsters or terrorists as seen in Gabriel Over the White House or The Battle of Algiers