After reading “A Line in the Sand: Countering Crime, Violence and Terror at the Southwest Border,” discuss the threats we face at the Southwest Border and the influence of transnational crime and terror organizations associated with the fight against narcotics, terrorism, and spillover violence. Inbox

1. After reading “A Line in the Sand: Countering Crime, Violence and Terror at the Southwest Border,” discuss the threats we face at the Southwest Border and the influence of transnational crime and terror organizations associated with the fight against narcotics, terrorism, and spillover violence.

2. Please critique in detail the fight against drug related violence and terror on the Southwest Border of the United States. In doing so, also list and discuss the three points keyed in on by Kingpins and corruption (2017), which is part of this week’s readings.

Instructions: The response to each question should be a “minimum” of 500 words of content (does not count references and or restating a question) and include “at least” two properly referenced sources, in accordance with APA 6th edition, for full credit. Please see the syllabus for what constitutes a “substantive” response.

Within your post, please place the first Forum response on top of the second, i.e., both Forum responses should be in the same post within the Forum.

It is essential that you realize that 500 words and 2 references for support per question contained in the primary forum assignment is the minimal expectation (if 2 questions are asked that means the primary post would be a minimum of 1,000 words not counting references or restating the questions); and, the student response posts (2 for each forum) 300 words and 1 reference for support is also the minimal expectation; this does not mean by meeting the minimal expectation that you will be awarded an “A.” This is a Master’s Degree program and course and the award of maximum credit is reserved only for those posts that are exemplary!

Also the content of the Forum Assignment will often ask the student to take a position on a particular topic. However, this is not a strict opinion paper in which you the student can just make a statement of what you think or what your experiences are on a topic. Instead, the student needs to support their opinion or experiences with qualifying research from academic source. APA 6th edition citations and references must be used always!

Forum Rubric

	Zero Points	Beginning	Developing	Accomplished	Exemplary
Substance (Possible 40 points)	Zero points: Student failed to respond to the question(s)	25 points: Presentation is unclear; a basic understanding of the topic and issues is not evident; explanation is lacking; segments of the required answer are lacking; sources and supporting facts are not utilized; length requirements may not have been met.	30 points: Student’s initial posting did not meet the length and or source requirements; and/or presentation evidences some confusion concerning topics under discussion; analysis may be lacking and/or elements of the question are not answered; support and references may be lacking.	35 points: Student answered/addressed most aspects of the question/topic posed in the Forum; initial posting met length and source requirements; a basic understanding of relevant concepts/theories is demonstrated; relevant sources were located; minimal or no facts/examples were used in support of presentation.	40 points: Student answered/addressed all aspects of the topic/question posed in the Forum; initial posting met length and source requirements; analysis of concepts and theories clearly demonstrates superior knowledge and a clear understanding of the topic; relevant and scholarly resources were located and used appropriately; facts and examples are used in support of presentation.
Collaboration (Possible 30 points)		Zero points: Student filed none of the required replies.	15 points: Student filed only one of the required replies OR filed the required replies but failed to meet length and or source requirements.	25 points: Student filed the minimum number of replies, meeting the length and source requirements and evidencing an understanding of the issues under discussion and the views of colleagues. Student failed to respond to specific queries posed to him by colleagues or by the Instructor. Student did not take initiative in advancing the discussion throughout the week.	30 points: Student filed at least the number of required replies and they met the length and source requirements; the replies were substantive, thoughtful responses and contributed to the discussion; student exceeded minimum requirements by answering all queries posed to him by others and remained present and actively engaged in the discussion throughout the week; student led the discussion by raising complex issues, connecting concepts, and illuminating the discussion with examples.
Timeliness (Possible 10 points)		Zero points: Student filed more than two required postings in an untimely manner.	2 points: Student filed two required postings in an untimely manner.	7 points: Student filed one required posting in an untimely manner.	10 points: Student filed all required postings in a timely manner.
Writing (Possible 10 points)	Zero points: Student failed to respond to the essay question	4 points: Writing contains several grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Language lacks clarity or includes some use of jargon and /or conversational tone; sentence structure is awkward.	6 points: Student demonstrates consistent and correct use of the rules of grammar usage, punctuation and spelling, with a few errors; there is room for improvement in writing style and organization.	8 points: Student demonstrates consistent and correct use of the rules of grammar usage, punctuation, and spelling. Language is clear and precise throughout all submissions. Sentences display consistently strong, varied structure and organization is excellent.	10 points: Student demonstrates a quality of writing consistent with scholarly works in the relevant discipline; student is facile in the use of subject-matter vocabulary and terminology consistent with the level of instruction; student applies concepts with ease; writing style and organization are designed to successfully convey the message and the related information to the reader with maximum effect.
Citations (Possible 10 points)	Zero points: Student failed to include citations and/or references	4 points: Citations of reference sources exist; citations apparently correspond to the correct source but do not enable the reader to locate the source. APA 6th edition format not evident.	6 points: Attempts to cite reference sources are made, but the reader has difficulty finding the sources; attempts to use APA 6th edition format are evident but poorly executed	8 points: Reference sources are cited as necessary, but some components of the citations are missing and/or APA 6th edition format is faulty in some respects.	10 points: Reference sources relied on by the student are cited appropriately and accurately. No writing of others is left without quotation and/or attribution, as appropriate. APA 6th edition format is used correctly and consistently.