Critical Thinking Papers

Submit assignment.

This semester you will complete two short analytic papers. Using at least 2 readings assigned in class, and any additional research that is needed, these papers ask students to analyze a particular movement or feature of a movement or to look across movements and across weeks of readings in thinking critically about a specific topic.

NOTE: You may of course use more than 2 course readings; but make sure you are going deeper into the readings, not just reiterating what the author discusses or what is discussed in class. I want to know what YOU think.

Style Guide:

  • These papers should be longer than 1 page, but shorter than 3 pages (750-1500 words approx.). 
  • An additional page should be included that lists the citations of the readings you used. 
  • You should use proper internal citations when you refer to the readings in your paper. 
  • You should avoid using phrases like “I think..” or references to yourself because the entire paper if what you think and how you are putting the material and topic together. In addition to telling me what you think, you should feel free to raise additional questions that you have that you might pursue if this was a longer form paper. 
  • Papers should be given a unique title that pertains to your thinking as exhibited in the paper. You paper will be marked down if you title it as I’ve titled the assignment descriptions below.

Due Date:

Specific due dates are included below. That said these papers are due the Monday or Wednesday before the central topic is discussed. A revised version of the paper may be turned in Friday or Sunday. Revisions may be based on class conversations and any evolution of your thinking.

Grading:

Papers that are not received on the initial submission date (Friday or Sunday) will be marked down.
You grade will be based on the paper I have by Friday at midnight.

See assignment rubrics here.

I maintain the right to extend this list to include additional topics or questions, as they come up during the semester. 


Options – Choose 2 of 7

Sussing the Housing Debate

Due Monday 9/16/19 @ 12am / Revisions due by Friday 9/20/19 at 12am

  • Situate the housing debate discussed in the readings this week in relation to readings from the prior week discussing the relationship between urban development, capitalism, and class struggle (Harvey, 2002; Harvey, 2008; and Mayer, 2009).

Sussing Contemporary Feminism

Due WEDNESDAY 10/9/19 at 12am / Revisions due by SUNDAY 10/13/19 at 12am

  • Use the readings discussed 9/24/19, 9/26/19, 10/3/19, and 10/10/19 to critically assess EITHER the #MeToo or the Women’s March. Use the links below as well as your own research to review additional reading related to these two phenomena. You may and should also rely on your own experience, if applicable. 
  • If there is another facet of event of contemporary feminism you would like to use course readings to dissect, you may email me privately. Please outline your intention in your initial email.

#MeToo References

Women’s March References

Both: 

#MeToo, Black Lives Matter & Women’s March Leaders With Sunny Hostin


Sussing the Meaning of Historical Recollection through the Women’s March

Due Monday 10/28/19 at 12am / Revisions due by Friday 11/1/19 at 12am

  • Following the 1st Women’s March in 2017, three museums collected signs and curated exhibitions related to the marches. Though you can’t visit them now, you can read more about them using the readings below and your own additional online research. Using the reading from 10/22/19 and 10/29/19, reflect on this process of collection, and what it means for the Women’s March and this point in feminist history – now and in the future.

References: 


Applying Historical Recalibration and Indigenous People’s Day

Due Monday 10/28/19 at 12am / Revisions due by Friday 11/1/19 at 12am

  • In the last few years, Columbus Day has increasingly been recognized as Indigenous People’s Day. What is Indigenous People’s Day, how did this transition begin, by whom was it initiated, what actions have taken place to encourage this transition, why/how does it matter, and what are its shortcomings (i.e. identify avenues for future growth)? In addition to educating yourself about the “new” holiday, use readings from 10/22/19 and 10/29/19 (at least, though other weeks may apply) in supporting your response. 

Sussing #Activism

Due WEDNESDAY 10/30/19 at 12am / Revisions due by SUNDAY 11/3/19 @ 12am

Discuss the impact of social media activism through a specific hashtag campaign. What larger movement and actions is it attached to, what is its aims, what are its other strategies? What, if anything, Is useful about this mechanism? Is it helping to grow the movement in meaningful ways? In explaining what you think, you should also describe what you think is meaningful (or not) since that is ambiguous.

Some hashtag movement suggestions, though you can use others!

  • #CiteBlackWomen
  • #SayHerName
  • #MeToo

Assessing the Green New Deal

Due Monday 11/11/19 at 12am / Revisions due by Friday 11/15/19 @ 12am

  • Queens and Bronx Congresswoman AOC has put forth a new policy package titled The Green New Deal. Explain and assess this policy platform. What is useful and “good” about it (and why), and what needs to be improved? Whose voices are missing; what needs to be added; how could it be expanded? 

Analysis of Metropolitan Detention Center Protests

Due WEDNESDAY 11/20/19 at 12am / Revisions due by SUNDAY 11/24/19 @ 12am

  • Analyze the protests of conditions at MDC in February 2019. Who were the protestors, what were they protesting against, what were they protesting for, how was the event covered by the media, and how did the arrangement of space influence the trajectory of events? Class readings from 11/12/19; 11/14/19; 11/19/19; and 11/21/19 should be used to support your response.

Media Perspectives