CORE3001: Individual Term Paper Essay Assignment 

Topic 1: The Analyst

You are a chief analyst working for the MINDEF, under the directorate in charge of the “Total Defence” policy in Singapore (See here for more info on Total Defence). As part of an annual review exercise, you are tasked to write an intelligence report on new insights relating to the Total Defence policy that will guide policymakers to take appropriate actions.

This year’s theme is “Anticipating Conflicts and Safeguarding Peace: Singapore’s Strategic Interests in the New Normal”. Referring to at least one of the six pillars of Total Defence, pick a particular issue of relevance to the theme, state your position in the issue, and share why your position is crucial in achieving the goals of Singapore’s approach to deterrence and peace-building. You must do so by using one or more of the theories and perspectives covered in class.

Topic 2: The Advocate

You are the leading spokesperson of a civil organization, and you have been asked to pen an open essay to the United Nations Forum on War & Peace. Your letter will be addressing the world leaders in the public, private and people sectors, and your aim is to advance the goal(s) set out by your organization, and convince the global leadership as to why your organization’s concerns/ideas are one of the most crucial issues of our times.

You may select an organization of your choice. They may represent the following:

• A social group/demographic: eg. Youths, women, refugees,
•  Issue/Conflict: eg. Afghanistan war, Mexico war on drugs, cyber-terrorism,
•  Idea: eg. Democratic peace theory, just war theory, peace through capitalism

You need to explain your position with reference to some of the theories and perspectives covered in class.

Topic 3: The Aficionado

Pick any relevant cultural production(s) (film, book, music, exhibit, built structure, tool) of your choice surrounding war and peace, and write an essay based on a particular theme of significance you wish to explore. You must pick a clear position/argument and engage in a discussion using the theoretical perspectives drawn from readings and ideas covered in class.