The Battle of Algiers deals with thorny moral issues involving terrorism, colonialism, torture, and self-determination. Your assignment for this paper is to reflect on the moral concerns it raises in a structured essay of 6-8 pages. You have considerable latitude in how you approach the assignment, and you also have some discretion in selecting which sources you use to prepare your essay. This is a think piece. Other than reflecting on the moral dimension of the events depicted in the movie, your only obligation is to demonstrate understanding of certain concepts that you are required to integrate into your analysis by referencing the textbook and at least one essay from the reader (or other class handout). There is no outside research required or expected.

These are some questions that you might consider when writing your paper, although it should be stressed that you can approach the core issue as you see fit, without addressing any of these questions: How does one evaluate “right” and “wrong” in situations such as those depicted in the movie? How might we clarify or negotiate the moral ambiguities it depicts? What is the connection between violence and power? Who was or was not justified in using violence? Why do you think so?

Ultimately, only the last question in that list is necessary—the one asking Why? This essay is your opportunity to tackle serious and difficult questions that are frequently raised in international politics. Reasonable people can disagree about morality precepts and how (or even whether) we should apply them; the key for you is to explain your position carefully, by thinking deeply, grounding your argument in evidence (supplied by the movie), and carefully crafting a persuasive analysis. You are strongly urged to spend time with the writing handout, which provides guidance on how to write an essay such as this. The syllabus also lays out general grading standards for this paper. It should be emphasized once again that there are many ways that you can approach the assignment, and there isn’t a single “correct” answer to any question.

These are the only specifics that need to be included in your paper.
1) You must include at least 10 citations. A citation is a footnote or parenthetical reference; it is not a source. See the long “Citations and Plagiarism” handout, posted on Blackboard, for more information on this point (and many others). It includes links to citation guides that will show you HOW to cite properly as well as guidance about when and why you must use citations.
2) You must use the textbook and at least one additional class source. The additional source will be one of the essays of your choice that are posted on Blackboard; they would have come from the “Reader” if we were still using it.
3) You must demonstrate understanding of the following concepts/issues: colonialism; the role of the United Nations/IGOs generally; terrorism; warfare. Don’t just throw in a definition, but show that you know that you understand these concepts by discussing them properly in context. Sometimes including a definition might be necessary or helpful, but only as a natural part of your essay. Your discussion and definitions of these concepts must come exclusively from the textbook or other assigned reading and be cited properly. This also ties in with the final point, mentioned above but worth repeating:
4) Do not use any other sources. All of the relevant concepts are discussed in the textbook, usually at some length, and whatever other class reading you choose to use will presumably have been selected because it also pertains to one or more of these concepts. There is absolutely no reason to use any other source, and we do not want you to use them. To repeat, this is not a research paper in any sense of the word. We want you to think deeply and carefully about the movie, using the concepts listed above to help you to structure your analysis.