Handout with both quantitative and qualitative proposal samples for next year's student research conference. Claremont Graduate University's 13th Student Research Conference will happen in January 27th, 2012 in Claremont, CA. More info at: www.cgu.edu/studentconference2012

1. Claremont Graduate University’s
13th Annual Student Research Conference and Art Exhibition
Friday, January 27, 2012
PROPOSAL SAMPLES

2. Q U A L I TAT I V E ( S A M P L E )
Violence of Action: Reconciling Just War Theory with Covert
PAPER TITLE:
Military Special Operations
Military Studies; Religion; Just War Theory
DESIRED PANEL / SUBJECT AREA:
The wars of the last decade have shown a sharp increase in the
ABSTRACT or PROPOSAL (no more than 250 words):
use of covert military special operations. Some of the extremely
violent means by which covert operations are carried out raise
questions over the moral and ethical justification for such force.
This paper examines the ways U.S. special operations engage
in battle through the lens of Just War Theory (JWT). Through
historical and qualitative analysis, this paper finds that while
the actions of U.S. military special operations can be theoreti-
cally consistent with the tenets of jus ad bellum, jus in bello and
jus post bellum, practical adherence to these principles are not
realistic. This is due (1) the subjective nature of the principles
JWT’s just cause, minimal force and proportionality and (2) the
reality that operators are not usually acting with perfect knowl-
edge of the battlefield. Additional attention is paid to the argu-
ment that what special operators perform in violence and sur-
prise, they make up for in accuracy and precision which has the
potential to save more lives.
© Wendt, J. - Claremont Graduate University

3. Q U A L I TAT I V E ( S A M P L E )
The wars of the last decade have shown a sharp increase in the
use of covert military special operations.
QUICK SENTENCE INTRODUCING
Some of the extremely violent means by which covert opera-
THE FIELD OF STUDY
tions are carried out raise questions over the moral and ethical
justification for such force.
E X P L A N AT I O N O F R E S E A R C H P R O B L E M / P U Z Z L E
This paper examines the ways U.S. special operations engage in
THIS PHENOMENON RAISES QUESTIONS
battle through the lens of Just War Theory (JWT).
E X P L A N AT I O N O F W H AT P A P E R
Through historical and qualitative analysis, this paper finds that
INTENDS TO ACCOMPLISH
while the actions of U.S. military special operations can be theo-
retically consistent with the tenets of jus ad bellum, jus in bello
and jus post bellum, practical adherence to these principles are
not realistic. This is due (1) the subjective nature of the prin-
ciples JWT’s just cause, minimal force and proportionality and
(2) the reality that operators are not usually acting with perfect
knowledge of the battlefield. Additional attention is paid to the
argument that what special operators perform in violence and
surprise, they make up for in accuracy and precision which has
the potential to save more lives.
B R I E F E X P L A N AT I O N O F F I N D I N G S
O R W H AT W E I N T E N D T O F I N D
© Wendt, J. - Claremont Graduate University

4. Q U A N T I TAT I V E ( S A M P L E )
Has Membership in GATT/WTO Increased Trade? Determining the
PAPER TITLE:
Effects of GATT/WTO Membership on Trade
International Political Economy; International Trade
DESIRED PANEL / SUBJECT AREA:
In recent years, studies on the effects of multi-lateral trade agree-
ABSTRACT or PROPOSAL (no more than 250 words):
ments like GATT/WTO on trade have been ubiquitous. The findings
of these studies have been as diverse as the approaches, which have
yielded everything from no effect on trade (Rose 2004), some ef-
fect on trade with uneven benefits (Tomz, Goldstein, Rivers 2005;
Gowa and Kim 2005) to significant effects on bi-lateral trade flows
in various sectors (Grant and Lambert 2008). Many of these out-
comes seem either counter-intuitive or incomplete; without ques-
tion, the most mystifying results have come from Rose (2004). We
re-examine Rose’s findings and propose relevant additions that
better capture the effects of GATT/WTO membership on trade. We
argue two main points; first, the strength of institutions and the in-
ternal structures of a country are critical to whether membership
in these organizations is beneficial. Further, we support and offer a
better calibrated measure of distance within Rose’s standard gravi-
ty equation. We expect to find that the ease of transportation within
a country (acting as an indication of strong internal structure and
development) and the measure of distance within the gravity model
do have an impact on the effectiveness of GATT/WTO membership,
though these benefits are inherently unequal among members.
© Wendt, J. - Claremont Graduate University

5. Q U A N T I TAT I V E ( S A M P L E )
In recent years, studies on the effects of multi-lateral trade agreements like GATT/WTO
on trade have been ubiquitous.
QUICK SENTENCE INTRODUCING
The findings of these studies have been as diverse as the approaches, which have yielded
THE FIELD OF STUDY
everything from no effect on trade (Rose 2004), some effect on trade with uneven ben-
efits (Tomz, Goldstein, Rivers 2005; Gowa and Kim 2005) to significant effects on bi-lat-
eral trade flows in various sectors (Grant and Lambert 2008). Many of these outcomes
seem either counter-intuitive or incomplete; without question, the most mystifying re-
sults have come from Rose (2004).
E X P L A N AT I O N O F R E S E A R C H P R O B L E M / P U Z Z L E
We re-examine Rose’s findings and propose relevant additions that better capture the ef-
M I X E D R E S U LT S ; O U R F I E L D N E E D S C L A R I T Y
fects of GATT/WTO membership on trade. We argue two main points; first, the strength
of institutions and the internal structures of a country are critical to whether member-
ship in these organizations is beneficial. Further, we support and offer a better calibrated
measure of distance within Rose’s standard gravity equation.
D E M O N S T R AT I O N O F W H AT V A L U E
We expect to find that the ease of transportation within a country (acting as an indica-
WE INTENT TO ADD TO THE FIELD
tion of strong internal structure and development) and the measure of distance within
the gravity model do have an impact on the effectiveness of GATT/WTO membership,
though these benefits are inherently unequal among members.
B R I E F E X P L A N AT I O N O F F I N D I N G S
O R W H AT W E I N T E N D T O F I N D
© Wendt, J. - Claremont Graduate University

6. C A L L F O R PA P E R S
Submit your 250 word proposal online at
http://tinyurl.com/cgurazor
by Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Notification of acceptance will be given no later
than Friday, December 2, 2011.
There are a number of ways to become involved
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
in this year’s conference, including:
Research Paper
PRESENTING:
Poster Presentation
Art Exhibit
Artist Talk
Assemble a Panel
ENCOURAGING DIALOGUE:
Propose a Discussion Group
Committee Member
VOLUNTEERING:
Volunteer
www.cgu.edu/studentconference 2012
Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University and the Minority Mentor Program