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First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)

Topic

The Politics of Hostage Taking and Recovery

Instructors

Danielle Gilbert

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 107 Burdick Room: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Hostage taking is a global, costly, and complex problem for domestic and international politics. Throughout history and around the world, perpetrators from the smallest gangs to the most powerful empires have taken humans captive for leverage. In this first-year writing seminar, students will explore contemporary and historical hostage crises to grapple with the intractable dilemmas of hostage politics: What makes someone a hostage? How does media coverage affect hostage situations? Should governments make concessions to bring hostages home? To explore these dilemmas and delve into real-world hostage crises, students will read scholarship and commentary, watch films, and hear from former hostages, advocates, and the government officials who specialize in hostage recovery. As a writing seminar, the course will prioritize the process and purpose of writing. Using the dilemmas of hostage politics, students will practice asking important questions, making compelling arguments, marshalling and organizing relevant evidence, and developing their own distinct writing style. Please note that the subject matter of this course entails depictions and discussions of violence.

Learning Objectives

As a result of taking this class, students will be able to:


  • Pose a relevant, focused question that demonstrates the need for their writing;

  • Identify and incorporate credible sources of evidence;

  • Construct a clear, consistent argument using well-organized evidence and examples that support their thesis;

  • Explain how specific hostage crises illustrate the complexities inherent in hostage politics;

  • Assess the ethical, political, and strategic dimensions of hostage taking and hostage recovery;

  • Articulate a well-informed perspective on the dilemmas of hostage politics and propose policy recommendations to address these challenges.

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

Class participation (20%); final paper (40%); short writing assignments (40%)

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.