Write an original research paper that:  describes a critical infrastructure sector or sub-sector (in the case of very complex sectors.

Research Paper and Class Presentation Each student will write an original research paper that:  describes a critical infrastructure sector or sub-sector (in the case of very complex sectors);  identifies some threats and vulnerabilities in this sector/sub-sector;  analyzes how government and nongovernmental actors have responded to this vulnerability; and  recommends policy actions to reduce these vulnerabilities. “Original” means that the paper is solely the student’s own work and does not utilize any part of a paper that the student has previously written. While I will ask students to submit their top three CI sector choices and will try to give everyone their first choice, I will assign sectors as necessary to ensure that all sectors are covered. Procedure: Students will complete their papers in three steps. First, they will submit their list of top three choices. Second, they will submit their completed research paper, which they will post in a designated discussion board on Turning. Third, they will deliver a PowerPoint presentation outlining their paper to the class. This will enable all students to benefit from each student’s research and analysis. Due dates are noted in the Course Outline. Formatting Guidance: Research papers must be 3,000 – 3,500 words in length (as indicated by word count in Turning). They will be doubled-spaced, use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, will have 1-inch margins, and no excess white space. Cases will include a cover page and a bibliography, which does not cunt toward the 3,000 – 3,500 word requirement. Guidance Concerning Paper Content: Students must use a minimum of ten references from scholarly journals, books, and reports/studies of governments, international organizations (IGOs), and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). No more than three of the ten references can come from the brief introductory webpages that many organizations use to introduce offices, programs, or subject areas. Statements extracted from magazines, newspapers, broadcast media outlets, blogs, and Wikipedia sites are permitted but do not count toward the ten reference minimum requirement. (Note: Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report are considered magazines. Cnn.com, nbc.com, and bbc.com are examples of broadcast media outlets.)