Source Assignment:
The next paper – the source paper – is an examination of what sources you chose to cite in your papers and why. So, you would need to talk to me about why you chose the sources you did and also look critically for those sources for bias. For example, if someone used the NRA website for a source in a pro-Second Amendment paper, that person would have to write about why he or she chose that source and talk about what the bias of that source is, and then talk about how that bias might influence the information that the source provides. Is it a balanced source? Is it reliable? Who is the author? What is his or her background? How does that slant the information he or she provides?
Then, talk about the state of debate around your subject. Do people listen to each other fairly and openly, or the sides mainly set in their opinions. Do you think that people think critically and deeply about their side of the issue, or do you think that they are overly influenced by “information” as opposed to debate and personal consideration? Do you think differently at all about the opposing side to your argument? Is your own position refined in any way, or do you feel even more strongly about your original position? Bring in Lasch to talk about the use of debate and argument and whether sources are useful ways for us to critically understand a subject; especially consider his arguments on pages 308-309. Be fair in your assessment of your issue.
Assignment 3:
In this paper (4-5) pages, you will write about a social or political issue that is important to you. Your issue can be anything at all that you feel is important in your life and in the greater life of the country. You can write about environmentalism, birth control, gay rights, second amendment rights, the Supreme Court, election reform, immigration, legal drinking ages, torture, abortion, the Iraq War – anything that you find compelling and important.
You must argue on behalf of whatever position you take. In other words, if you are going to write about immigration, you must choose a position and argue for that position. So, if you think that illegal immigration is bad and must be stopped, you must argue and defend this position – using at least two to three sources to defend your position (only one from the Internet).
In your paper you should have a clear introduction and a very clear thesis that states your position (“Illegal immigration must be stopped because x, y, and z.”). You should also take some space to give a brief background to your position in order to set the context of the issue – this is an essential part of arguing for or against something.
I will be looking for clarity of argument and strong proof. You are trying to convince the reader that your position is correct – the way to do this is with a strong argument that sticks to the facts!
Assignment 2:
Using the photograph you chose from the Pulitzer Prize exhibit, write an essay in which you use examples from “In Plato’s Cave” to explain what Sontag would have to say about our understanding of events as seen through the photograph you chose. Consider what she has to say about representation versus interpretation, about the desensitizing effects of photography, about the moral and political consciousness needed in order for someone to be affected by a photograph, about the ways in which photographs violate the people in them. To what extent do these interpretations help you read more deeply into your photograph, and do you agree or disagree with Sontag’s analysis? Does reading the description of the photos change your interpretation of the photos? Why or why not? Do photographs really cloud our knowledge of events, or do they help us gain some understanding of historical and world events? As always, make sure that you defend your position and answer the “why” question – why do you agree or disagree? Why do you interpret your photo the way you do? Why do you think Sontag would interpret it in her specific way? And of course, what does it all mean? Etc.
3-4 pages
Double-spaced
12 pt.
Due Wednesday, October 14 in class
Assignment 1:
Write an essay in which you take up Bordo’s invitation “to bring examples that appear to violate traditional gender-dualities and the ideological messages contained in them.” Collect two advertisements, one which seems to reinforce Bordo’s thesis and one which seems to refute it. Write descriptions of your ads, as Bordo does, so that your readers will be able to “read” them (see and understand them) as you do. Then, using Bordo’s method, analyze the ads and discuss how and why they either support or refute her main thesis. Read Bordo closely and use her argument and terms to support your points or, conversely, use your ads to find the weaknesses in her argument and terms. The object here is to analyze the ads and see whether or not they fit with Bordo’s thesis, but also – and more importantly – to evaluate Bordo’s work for strengths and weaknesses and to establish whether or not you think that her method of analysis is valid, using your ads as your examples.
