SSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: This assignment is one of the major components of this course. Students will write one (1) Critical Reflection Essay (CRE) that addresses specific information about the student. The CRE is a pivotal step in which students examine their cultural self and examine issues from a personal perspective guided by a reflective question and writing prompts.
Your difference is influenced by where you grew up, as well as your socioeconomic background, religious beliefs, age, individual lived experiences, and other factors, which influence how you view people and read their world, providing you with a unique perspective. In this assignment, you are being asked to examine these experiences that contribute to your own worldview, which includes assumptions and perceptions of others who are fundamentally different from you.
Exploring self should begin with an introspective approach. When you take an authentic look at yourself, you begin to understand issues of diversity and become amenable to other points of view. This assignment asks a fundamental question to guide your understanding of your cultural self in order to develop self-knowledge and awareness of your “social positioning” – that is your own power and privilege in relation to others.
ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Reflection Question
In a narrative (using paragraph structures), respond to the following reflection questions and writing prompts, using the grading rubric as a guide:
In your response to the reflection question, explore/analyze the social, political, education, beliefs, values, biases, and/or cultural contexts and assumptions, which influence you. You may look at the questions through the lens of race, ethnicity, stereotypes, SES, gender, etc., to help you better articulate your essay’s purpose. You may also elect to include (combine) more than one topic.
Writing Prompts:
The following writing prompts are provided for you by topics: You may select writing prompts from one topic or a combination of topics. Determine which question(s) under each topic will help in your self-awareness and encourages self-assessment as you think critically in expressing who you are, where you are from, and your feelings, beliefs, and attitudes in relation to the reflection question. Support your personal opinion and relevant information with evidence from the textbook, outside readings, other experiences (service learning, class presentation/lectures), and/or information learned from other courses, as you deem appropriate and necessary. Your selection should be based on the title and purpose of your essay. You do not have to use all prompts from each topical area or combination of topics. Select the question(s) which help in directing the purpose of your essay and helps you to address the reflection question.
- Racial/Ethnic Background: Please describe your racial/ethnic background. (African, Asian, Black, Caribbean, European, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, White…). Where did you grow up in the United States (if applicable) or in what country were you raised? Did you have many other people of the same background around you in your neighborhoods and schools? How did this experience affect you and why? What did you learn about the people of your heritage in school, on TV, in the movies, and from your parents and/or other family members? What beliefs do you hold about how society works in relation to your race/culture?;
- Stereotypes: Did you ever hold any stereotypical or negative beliefs about different racial/cultural groups when you were growing up? Where did you learn these beliefs? How have these beliefs affected/shaped your relationships with people of these backgrounds)? What challenges have these beliefs presented in relating to people of these backgrounds? If these beliefs have changed, what caused the change? How will your beliefs effect how you treat students of these and other racial/cultural groups in your classroom?
- Socioeconomic Status (SES): In what socioeconomic status (SES) were you raised? Did your SES change during the course of your life due to family prosperity or crisis? How? What are the expectations held by those in your SES? What strengths have you obtained due to being in your SES? What challenges did you face because of your SES? What beliefs do you hold about people who are in both higher SESs and lower SES than yours? How will these beliefs impact your treatment of students in various socioeconomic statuses? and/or
- Gender: What sex are you? Discuss how you are typical or atypical of your gender. What were you taught about both genders when you were growing up by parents, teachers, classmates, and other influential people in your life? What stereotypes are attributed to your gender? Do you agree with, feel neutral, or disagree with them? How do the media portray each gender (Give examples)? What strengths have you obtained due to being in your gender? Why? What challenges did you face because of your gender? Why? How will these beliefs impact your treatment of girls and boys in your classroom?
CRE Format, Rubric, and Content
The CRE should be double-spaced, typewritten, Times New Roman 12 pt. font with 1” margins on all sides. Students are expected to submit a typed essay that demonstrate mastery of basic rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Assignment does not require a separate title page but does require proper labeling in the top left corner with your name, name of course, date, title of assignment, and word count (450-600 words). Points will be deducted if this information is omitted. Essays are due on the date designated on canvas. late papers will be deducted 10% points per day late. After the five days papers will not be accepted. All papers must be submitted via the assignment link on Canvas.
The CRE must include the following four sections (headings for final essay):
- Introduction (25 points): This is where you would include what you are about to discuss in the body of your paper, relating it back to the writing prompts and discussion points, which should address the main focus of your essay. Include the title and significance of your essay.
- Body (40 points): The body of your paper should discuss your experience/interaction with diverse individual/group(s) You are expected to address each writing prompt as you explore your personal beliefs relevant experiences. You may include relevant learning from this course or other courses. At least two Personal experiences (positive/negative) that influenced you and helped shape your beliefs and attitudes could be included to help bridge your growth and development as you think about each writing prompt; however, it should not be the only source of information you include in your essay.
Make sure you support your personal opinion and relevant information with evidence from the textbook chapters and/or other experiences (class presentation, lectures, movie analysis, reading from other courses), as you deem appropriate and necessary. Be sure to use proper APA (7th Edition) style in your in-text citation and any resources cited should be listed in a reference list. Reference list should not be included in your total word count.
- Conclusion (15 points): Summarize your thoughts
- Reference Page (If Applicable): All source(s) cited should be referenced using the appropriate APA style format (7th Edition) in the body of your paper, as well as the reference list. The reference list should not be included in your total word count. You may reference (in-text) information taken from chapter presentations, journal reflections, course exit cards, as well as information from other courses. You must cite this information in text—any material cited in text should be referenced and listed in your reference page. If the information is not cited in text, it should not be listed as a reference in the reference page.
- Format/Labeling (20 Points): Assignment does not require a separate title page but does require proper labeling in the top left corner with your name, name of course, date, title of assignment, and word count (450-600 words).
ASSIGNMENT EVALUATION
How will your reflective essay be evaluated? After all, there are no right or wrong answers when asked to reveal your thoughts and opinions. But your effort and the quality of your product can certainly vary. Aside from just doing the assignment, I am mostly looking for evidence of deep reflective thought dictated by the reflection question and writing prompts selected. More specifically, you will be evaluated on your success in articulating how the course material and your learning is intersecting with your background, lived experiences, as well as how these come together to inform your future actions in engaging and interacting with diverse groups of individuals. To a lesser extent, you will also be evaluated on your writing skills.