Poli 311 – Fall 2009 Assignment 1 inspired by Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
Due: T (29 Sept) for presentation in class and online

As a result of a fortuitous coincidence, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and current U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice not only attend the same off-Broadway production of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata but are seated in the same box, where they meet for the first time. Though they go their separate ways, they exchange cell numbers and promptly start texting each other in what becomes a heated dialogue on the contemporary versions of the issues and stakes raised by Aristophanes.

Write a (500-word) humorous dialogue between Rice and Rice in the form of a series of text-messages, and a (500-word) scholarly explanation of your argument and use of humor.

Dialogue content

§ Ensure that your C.Rice and S.Rice adopt positions and perspectives consistent with the actual persons.

§ Early on, both characters should, in effect, state their respective approach to war.

§ Be empirically specific and provide footnotes that amplify the evidence that the characters are invoking.

§ There ought to be some character development and movement in the argument culminating in the equivalent of a conclusion (your conclusion on the matter).

§ Be funny

Dialogue form

§ Use the graphic possibilities of preparing an assignment online, including at the very least, presenting your dialogue in the visual form.

of traded texts:

§ Some of the texts should be a little longer than SMSs tend to be.

§ Language may be colloquial but keep abbreviations to a minimum, and for comic effect only.

Explanation

§ In your explanation explain how you have utilized the two characters and their respective perspectives to make your case regarding the best political approach for the US towards war. What reasons and evidence have you mobilized?

§ Clarify (in terms of the four humor dynamics) how you have also used humor to advance your discursive agenda.

§ Ensure that your writing is in formal prose and mechanically flawless.

§ Provide a list of references of works and sources consulted.

Preliminary Sources

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

http://www.hoover.org/bios/2811961.html

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE50L1AJ20090122

U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice

http://www.usun-ny.us/ambassadors/current/srice.html

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1863062_1863058_1863641,00.html

Forbes 100 Most powerful women (8.19.09)

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0907/power-women-09-top-100-most-powerful-women.html

Forbes 100 Most powerful women (8.27.08)

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/11/biz_powerwomen08_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_NameHTML.html

Memoirs to reveal Dick Cheney thought Bush had gone soft on war on terror

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/13/dick-cheney-george-bush-memoirs

Is America Hooked on War?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091005/engelhardt?rel=emailNation