In this short paper (minimum 600 words, submitted via email as a .doc or similar attachment), you should reflect on an issue that is important to you and your relationship to it. This paper will provide a foundation for our work throughout the semester, as we will take up different aspects of the issue in various assignments.
Our understanding of “issues” can go in a number of directions. Following our class readings on gender discrimination in workplace, you can take up a broader social issue with ethical, political, historical, economic, environmental, etc., implications. If you want to make your work this semester directly relevant to your academic and professional interests, you are welcome to choose an issue that relates to your major or future profession. You are also welcome to take up a less “serious” issue, focusing on something more cultural: sports, music, film, fashion, etc. Keep in mind that you will need to be able to do research on your issue, finding people making different arguments and offering different perspectives on the issue in writing.
Your topic proposal should address the following prompts and questions:
- What is the issue? How would you frame it as a question? You don’t need to do research yet, but what is your understanding of the origins and history of this issue?
- Who is invested in this issue? What sorts of people, communities, organizations, or professions does the issue affect?
- What is your sense for the different perspectives people have in response to this issue? What sorts of arguments might people make regarding the issue?
- What is your relationship to the issue? What makes you interested in it?
Matt King 