Your critical essay should analyze a chosen issue related to race, ethnic or Aboriginal relations in Canada. The essay should have 8-10 pages (12 point Times New Roman font and double spaced), 5-10 references, and must contain an introduction, the body of the text and a conclusion. Note that Fleras is a mandatory reference!
You should apply at least one theoretical perspective and/or two theoretical concepts from Augie Fleras textbook to your selected topic/issue and provide a critical insight or analysis. An excellent paper will have clear links between theory and practice, introduce some critical and original ideas, and demonstrate a good understanding of the issue.
Theoretical perspectives and concepts:
You can use any of the in class mentioned theoretical perspectives (eg, functionalism, marxism, feminism, symbolic interactionism, intersectionality, critical race theory). In your analysis, you should apply at least TWO major theoretical concepts, for example, white privilege, racialization, racial profiling, the Rashomon effect, nationalism, multiculturalism, genocide, assimilation, integration, segregation, reasonable accommodation, and so on see in Fleras for more. Ideally you should have both (one theoretical perspective and two concepts). The minimal requirement, however, is two major theoretical concepts.
CHOOSING YOUR CASE OF INTEREST:
If you are having difficulty selecting an issue, the textbook provides many options found in the Debates or in various discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter. You can also select cases from the media, from topics discussed in class.
Examples of potential topics: Quebec nationalism; Aboriginal rights, land claims, and citizenship; racialized inequality and social injustice; police racial profiling and the Rashomon effect; Canadian multiculturalism policy and practice; racialization of a particular group in the media/film/television; the limits of reasonable accommodation, systemic racism in policing, employment, housing, etc.
TIPS FOR A STRONG PAPER:
Since you will be primarily marked according to your ability to demonstrate clear links between theoretical concepts and practical issues, you should introduce your topic by explaining which theoretical perspective or concepts you will use in your analysis.
It is also important that you set up clear boundaries; that is, what is excluded from the analysis and why (you cannot look at everything, just explain your focus and whats excluded this will make your paper stronger).
Always define terms and concepts used by the chosen or followed authors. Make clear links between authors ideas/arguments and provide evidence/examples that support their claims.
Make sure you back up your arguments with examples and references. Your examples can be from your own life, from your family or friends, from newspapers, magazines, and academic articles, from films shown in the class, or from the textbook. Note that the more examples you provide, the stronger the paper could be.
Your paper MUST contain:
1) Definitions of key terms and concepts used
2) Clear examples for each claim you make
3) A plausible explanation of the connections between the theory, your chosen issue and your claims
FORMAT:
The assignment must be written in essay form any citation style is acceptable (APA, MLA, etc), but you must provide a full reference in the text (ie, name of the author, year of publishing and page number) and include a bibliography at the end of the paper.
A Paragraph cannot exceed one page.
A Quote can be maximum 4 lines long; if longer, then use indent and single space. If your quotes are not explicit, you must explain their meaning or provide a clear example that illustrates their meaning.
Links between theoretical concepts and practical-empirical examples (or research data) should be as clear as possible.
Grading Criteria:
You must use theoretical concepts and academic references to support your arguments:
1) Critical thinking and analytical skills;
2) Organization of thoughts and materials;
3) Clear expression of ideas and arguments;
4) Academic writing skills (appropriate format, spelling, grammar, consistent citation style, etc).
DUE DATE: April 14 by 11:59 pm
Late papers will be penalized and not accepted after three days (see the
