Issues Assignment

You will be asked to take a position on the questions given below for discussion in class:

Issue 1 Is Affirmative Action reverse discrimination?

Issue 2 Is race a meaningful concept in understanding human behavior?

Issue 3 What is American identity?

At the beginning of the class during the first week, you will turn in a paper with a one-paragraph statement of your position on each of the issues.

For each of these issues you are to turn in a review paper in which you answer the questions given below. This is not an essay, answer them question by question and article by article in each question.

Copy and use this format for your paper:

Name:                        Date:
Issue:

1.  Describe (list the credentials) and/or credibility (experience such as publications, titles) of the authors of each of the readings for this issue (author by author). (If you don’t find information with the article, you can go look them up and find out about them. Select information that establishes the expertise of the author on the topic. Their job and degrees are not enough. No evaluation is necessary.)

2. Summarize the main idea presented in each of the readings for this issue (article by article). (in one sentence that begins: The main idea of this article  is:    . Do not use verbs i.e.: to show or question words, i.e.: how. )

3.  List the most important facts that support each main idea (article by article).

4. How does this issue correlate with material presented in class (when) and/or in your textbook (where)? Be specific.

5. Has your opinion changed since the initial opinion you gave at the beginning of class? answer this first, Yes/No.
            If yes, how had it changed? (become stronger/weaker, reversed, etc.)
            Which author or article was most influential in changing your views?

The paper is to be typed, single space and clearly indicates which articles you are discussing. The length is about 3-5 pages. Your grade is based on how fully but succinctly you answer the questions and how well you express your opinion. Each assignment is worth 5 points. One point will be given for attending the discussion and four points for your written paper.

Issue Readings

Issue 1  Is Affirmative Action reverse discrimination?

“Opposition to Affirmative Action Among Whites is Racist”  Stanley Fish
“Ten Myths about Affirmative Action”     Scott Plous
“Color Code”      Paul Roberts and Lawrence Stratton

Issue 2 Is race a meaningful concept in understanding human behavior?

“Race, History and Culture” Claude Levi-Strauss
“Science and Race” Jonathan Marks

Issue 3  What is American Identity?
“What does it Mean to be an American? Michael Walzer
“E Pluribus Unum?” Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

Click on the links above to get the article.

The assignment is due:TBA

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