Final essays will be graded according to a standard academic letter-scale (A = excellent, B = very good, C = satisfactory, D = poor, F = unsatisfactory; + and – grades will be utilized to create further differentiation). The assignments are submitted electronically on D2L in the class's submission folder for that assignment (submit only files in .doc, .docx, or .pdf.). Late essays will not be accepted without a
angements having been made with and explicitly approved by the instructor before the due date to address an emergency facing the student.
Grading of final papers will be based on the following criteria:
· Ability to articulate an original and clearly defined thesis.
· Independent research: the scope and quality of external work that the student has gathered and
ought into their final essay and how that external work is utilized in illuminating and supporting the student's thesis.
· Understanding and capacity to communicate the central points of the texts used and synthesize and compare readings.
· Capacity to apply readings to a concrete contemporary issue and work towards concrete and positive engagement with the issue at the level of praxis (i.e., reflective engagement).
· Eloquence and organization on the level of writing, as well as a proper citation.
· Originality on the level of critical thought and expression, including the appreciation and acknowledgment of the positionality of the student as well as that of others and how that bears upon the issues addressed.
Final Essay Assignment: Write a 6–8-page essay on the following: Present and analyze one manifestation of structural anti-Black racism in the United States today. Present how, indeed, this issue is a manifestation of structural racism, being sure to provide not only an adequate assessment of the issue to support this diagnosis, but also substantial discussion and analysis of what this means, both at a conceptual level (e.g., what is it to say that this is an element of a structure of oppression against African-Americans) and in terms of the lived-reality of this manifestation, making sure to develop an adequate na
ative presentation of this. Be sure to your detailed as possible and anticipate how you believe one might object to this position. How could one refuse such an objection? Finally, drawing on the texts, we have considered in class and your research, present a basis for attempting to change this situation. What sorts of actions would be necessary? How do these actions contribute to the larger project of dismantling such a structure of oppression? This final portion of your paper should not be a mere afterthought. Instead, it should be a significant portion of your overall paper – indeed, it should be the actual point of the paper. Throughout your paper, you should incorporate texts and material from class and material that you have found on your own. Also, do not forget to be wary of issues of positionality and perspective as you develop your project.