Answer to Question 1
Ideal Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Outline what it is that makes a key event a key event.
2. Explain why particular chosen events were significant, not just in general, or nationally, but crucial in shaping international relations. Such events might include 9/11, the fall of Communism/the Soviet Union, World War II, World War I, The Great Depression, etc. In turn, this shaping might include the creation of new alliances, new security or trade regimes, the moving of borders, and so on.
3. By way of explaining each choice of key event, perhaps compare and contrast these events, emphasizing the particular ways in which each event shaped international relations uniquely.
4. Provide a succinct summary and conclusion.
Answer to Question 2
Ideal Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Describe the various levels of analysis.
2. Explain how each applicable level of analysis might be applied to the context
and events of 9/11 and the whys behind 9/11. For instance, as the individual level of analysis concerns the perceptions, choices, and actions of individual human beings, one might argue that had John Kerry been elected rather than George W. Bush, or had Bill Clinton focused more strongly on issues of terrorism, that 9/11 might have never occurred.
3. Evaluate how effective, or not, the application of levels of analysis is, and perhaps how different contexts allow for more or less effective application.
4. Discuss the level of analysis that is most effective in analysis of the causes of 9/11.
5. Offer a concise summary and effective conclusion.