Teaching and Critical Pedagogy

SCHOOL AND SOCIETY
ES 3950
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Research-Based Essay #1: "White Privilege."

In a FOUR PAGE RESEARCH-BASED ESSAY, you are to formulate a presuasive response to the forthcoming prompt.

Among other things, overall presentation, thesis, depth, support, and organization , will be considered during assessment. The paper is to be typed/word processed, double-spaced, 12 pt font. You may use you book/notes, and you do not have to hand in a rough draft. Again, support is key. Make sure to use examples from experience, the readings, and or material found in "Resources" websites.

Also, make sure you understand that although you may find yourself using "I" occasionally in your paper, this should not turn into a narrative, journal-type response. This should be a research-based persuasive piece, a formal piece of writing that relies on good organization, logic, and scholarly support and/or example. So organize and present accordingly.

Also, you are to assume that your audience is an educated audience, one with some familiarity with issues surrounding the topic.

QUESTION #1:

If one were to take a look at this society, a case could be made for what some theorists call "white privilege." If you recall, Spring raises the issue in Chapter 2.

In general, white privilege is defined as "the idea that whites and their culture are considered the norm or the mainstream and that being white carries special privileges" (Provenzo, 252).
In the U.S., being white is considered to be the norm; some argue that special privileges come with being white. Eugene Provenzo Jr., for one, asserts that this white privilege is invisible, reflecting what he refers to as an "invisible privilege" – a mechanism of hegemony and domination that exists in U.S. society; a collection of special privileges afforded a "cultural group that are so taken for granted that the privileged group has little or no awareness that they exist" (253).

Drawing on Peggy McIntosh's essay "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" as your primary resource, for this paper I want you to consider this theory of invisible, white privilege in a FOUR paper, and whether you feel this idea has any connection to American education.

Specifically, look to answer the following: Is whiteness and the idea of invisible privilege something that American teachers should be concerned with and/or should consider?

Before and as you write, you could also keep the following in mind: Can you identify examples in your own life or at school of invisible or white privilege? Is asking what it means to be white a valid question for people who plan to teach? Why/why not? How could an understanding or awareness of this theory - this theory on white privilege - affect teaching, classrooms, and/or schools?

In the end, you really need to make sure to the reader whether you feel white privilege is anything that educators should be mindful of..

To remind, you are to draw on McIntosh's article as a primary source for this paper. In addition, you will have to look for support from at least TWO other outside resources. Joel Spring, for instance, could certainly add insight regarding race, schools, and society. With this type of writing, you are to support your points/work with resources from coursepack and/or outside research.

Without scholarly support, the paper's grade will greatly be affected.

In the end, make sure you have a clearly defined thesis, and when writing make sure you use examples to support your assertion – you MUST make connections to issues, ideas, etc. raised in the reading to support whether you agree or disagree with the question.

Persuasive by nature, your paper will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• To what extent is the paper clearly written, well-organized & cohesively focused on a central topic? A well-written paper will have a central argument or purpose, & will proceed in a logical and coherent way allowing the reader to follow the argument and make sense of it.
• To what extent does the writer ground his/her argument in relevant course readings? The paper should provide examples & make connections to issues, ideas, etc. raised in the reading/classroom to support your assertion.
• To what extent does the paper follow the conventions of spelling. Grammar & punctuation? The paper should exhibit careful proofreading before being submitted.
• To what extent does the writer provide accurate & appropriate citations and references when necessary? When quoting source material, make sure to give page number and author, i.e. "Homeless people continue to be marginalized by society" (Smith 172). For a paper of this length, consider at LEAST THREE RESOURCES/CITATIONS FROM READINGS/RESOURCES.

If you need to have an idea of "length," I expect each paper to be UP T0 FOUR FULL PAGES, typed/word-processed, double-spaced, and at least THREE outside sources (M.L.A., please). You must also have a "Works Cited" page. Without proper citation, your grade can be affected (i.e. When you quote source material, make sure to give page number and author i.e. "This is known as ‘social reproduction'." (Spring 89)).

THERE IS NO MAKE-UP FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.

Research-Based Persuasive Paper Rubric

An "outstanding, excellent, extraordinary" paper worthy of an "A" would likely "look" something like this:

As a whole, the writing is extremely well written; the content flows without problem by being well organized; attention to categorization of ideas obvious; the writer exhibits a sophisticated control of language, diction, voice/tone; the writing is exceptionally engaging, clear, and focused / The writer clearly illustrates critical thinking about the topic/issue by using relevant facts and information; the main ideas/opinions are stated clearly and is convincing; supporting information is abundant; appropriate and main ideas are accurate; as a whole, the writing is logical/rational; and, the writer makes specific references to source material and/or examples / Attention to presentation obvious, little to no problems at all with mechanics or grammar and conventions contribute to the effect of the presentation.

A "very good/high pass" grade of "B" means that the writer might meet the requirements, but still lacks in some of the more critical areas reflective of "A" quality work; an "adequate/satisfactory" paper receiving a "C" likely meets some of the criteria/requirements, but leaves too many questions regarding planning, content, approach, etc.; a "D" grade likely reflects considerable problems and/or poor quality of work, support, organization, planning, etc; an "E" reflects severe problems with the assignment.

For a more detailed rubric on the asssignment, click here.

For some additional help and/or to review the criteria when it comes to persuasive essays/writing, click here , here, or here.

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