History of Somalia - Part 1 Term Paper History Term Paper (Term Paper Sample)

Project STEP 1 - 50 points
To complete this step, your essay and research should, at the very least, include
answers, rationales, and insights into the following questions regarding your country.
Organize your work into a readable and persuasive essay. Do not provide one-line
answers to the questions below.
1. Basic information about your country of study:
• What is the name of the country you are researching? What was its name
prior to colonial rule?
• What is the capital city of the country being researched? Did the capital city
change its name after colonial rule?
• Briefly describe the country you are researching to indicate its geographical
location and topography (e.g., tropical, desert, savanna, mountainous or a
combination).
2. Colonial history of your country of study:
• Which European colonial power ruled this territory and when?
• What was the nature and type of colonial rule in the country you are
researching?
• How did colonial occupation impact the following?
o local political structures;
o social and cultural institutions (e.g., land ownership, marriage,
inheritance, gender relations, etc.);
o traditional religions and/or spiritual practices;
o the economy
• What were the two major events during colonial occupation that catalyzed the
process of independence?
• When (the date) did the country gain independence? Who became the leader
of the country at independence? How is independence celebrated in
contemporary society?
3. Current political context:
• What type of political system was introduced immediately after independence,
and what changes were made in the two decades after independence?
• Explain how the politics of the country have changed over the last twenty
years.
• Who is the present leader of your assigned country?
• What is the current political system in place? Name the main political parties.
• When were the last elections held, and what was the outcome, that is, which
political party gained power and which political party ceded power (if
relevant)?
• How did the contending parties, the populace, the media, and election
observers react to the election results?
• When is the next election scheduled to be held?
• Assess the state of the political system and the role of the media in the
country you are researching.
• What is the current relationship between the U.S. and your assigned country?
4. Conclusion:
Using all the data you have collected and the analyses you have conducted pertaining
to the above questions, write a conclusion addressing how the current political context
in your country of study has not only been influenced by colonial rule but also by African
regional political developments and the international political context.
5. Other Requirements:
• Referencing: Evidential Proof of sources used: Paper should be
supported by evidence and quotations from sources. At least three sources
with APA citation at the bottom of the report, Variation in selection of sources.
(You can access APA citation style information
at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/apaquickguide (Links to an external site.))
• Organization of text: Well organized, detailed and logical/cohesive
arguments addressing relevant issues.
Your work will be graded according to the STEP 1 Grading Rubric (ATTACHED)