In your own words, explain what Benedict Anderson means by “imagined communities.” How might Frantz Fanon view the potential benefits of “imagined communities” for anti-colonial movements and the formation of post-colonial identities? How does Dorothy Day highlight some of the potential drawbacks or dangers of “imagined communities” in her response to World War II?

In How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Walter Rodney critiques the supposed benefits of colonialism, such as infrastructure development and economic modernization, and contrasts these with the realities of exploitation and underdevelopment. Summarize Rodney’s argument about the supposed benefits versus the actual consequences of colonialism in Africa, providing at least one specific example. Connect this argument to our class discussion on neocolonialism. How do the dynamics described by Rodney continue to shape Africa’s relationship with the global economic system today? Provide a contemporary example to illustrate your point.

Power politics involves the use of various tools to influence the behavior of other states. “Soft power” and “exchange power” are variations of power politics.  Explain how “soft power” and “exchange power” can still be considered forms of power politics. Using sanctions as an example, discuss if “soft power” and “exchange power” always avoid violence or if there is a gray area. Provide specific examples to illustrate your argument.

Please describe one reading/lecture/topic from the entirety of the course which challenged or expanded your previous understanding of the political world. First detail the reading/lecture/topic and its main takeaways. Then, discuss what your understanding of this topic was prior to the class and what your understanding of said concept is now at the end of the semester.    You will be awarded up to 5 points based on how well you understood whatever concept you choose to discuss in addition to the depth and insightfulness of your reflection on however your point of view/prior knowledge was challenged or expanded. 

 Please choose ONE of the essay prompts to answer below:   You are a part of a small discussion group on campus that is discussing states, sovereignty, and human rights. One member poses this question: “It is increasingly the case that state sovereignty is violated – is this a positive or negative trend? And why do some states intentionally violate the sovereignty of other states?” How would you answer? Think about “development” and the process of categorizing countries as less developed, partly developed, or more developed. How would you describe what development is as a concept? Second, how would you explain the categorization process? Third, how would you categorize the country that you were assigned for the final group presentation (either Brazil, Russia, China, or India)? Finally, what is one of the biggest challenges that countries in this same category (as either Brazil, Russia, China or India) face in achieving or maintaining development?          

I am able to access Honorlock and can take this test.

You only need to fill out the field trip waiver if you are NOT going with me on Feb 6th.

Playposits can be done as many times as you like, and the highest score will count.

 Please choose ONE of the essay prompts to answer below:   You are a part of a small discussion group on campus that is discussing states, sovereignty, and human rights. One member poses this question: “It is increasingly the case that state sovereignty is violated – is this a positive or negative trend? And why do some states intentionally violate the sovereignty of other states?” How would you answer? Think about “development” and the process of categorizing countries as less developed, partly developed, or more developed. How would you describe what development is as a concept? Second, how would you explain the categorization process? Third, how would you categorize the country that you were assigned for the final group presentation (either Brazil, Russia, China, or India)? Finally, what is one of the biggest challenges that countries in this same category (as either Brazil, Russia, China or India) face in achieving or maintaining development?          

If you skip the discussion assignment, or submit it late, you can still get homework points, but only 50% of what you would otherwise earn.