To critically analyze and respond to the class readings in how they construct and present issues of identity;
To develop mastery of effective and correct source-incorporation strategies.
Write an analytical essay on one of the following prompts:
1) Critically explore the place of one of the following markers—race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class (commonly known as the major [sociological] markers), family, religion, language, nationality or education (commonly known as cultural markers)—in the creation/development of individual identity in contemporary America.
As you begin to think about your analytical approach to the topic, work to unify your analysis around a central aspect of the issue/texts (in other words, avoid an analytical strategy that raises point after point with no recognizable relationship among them).
To help you conduct your analysis (to set up, promote, defend, etc. your points), you are required to cite ideas/themes/passages from two of the following texts: Richard Rodriguez’ “The Chinese in All of Us,” W.E.B. Du Bois’ “Of Our Spiritual Strivings,” Manuel Muñoz’s “Leave Your Name at the Border,” Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue,” and Jhumpa Lahiri’s “My Two Lives.”
Remember to establish your points clearly and sharply and to deliberately cover and fully support each and every claim you raise. Finally, work to build your essay around a tight, unified analytical focus.
2) Write an analytical essay that investigates the way(s) in which a major marker of identity (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class) is constructed or reinforced or undermined or ignored or something else (you decide) by the forces (textual productions, such as fashion, advertising, social media, etc.) of popular culture.
As you begin to think about your analytical approach to the topic, work to unify your analysis around a central aspect of the issue/texts (in other words, avoid an analytical strategy that raises point after point with no recognizable relationship among them).
To help you conduct your analysis (to set up, promote, defend, etc. your points), you are required to cite ideas/themes/passages from two texts from this unit: Richard Rodriguez’ “The Chinese in All of Us,” W.E.B. Du Bois’ “Of Our Spiritual Strivings,” Manuel Muñoz’s “Leave Your Name at the Border,” Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue,” Jhumpa Lahiri’s “My Two Lives,” Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave,” Clay Shirky’s “Gin, Television, and Social Surplus,” Sarah Zhang’s “Your DNA Is Not Your Culture,” James Franco’s “The Meanings of the Selfie,” Caitlin Dewey’s “Confused by Facebook’s New Gender Options? Here’s What They Mean,” Stuart Wolpert’s “Crafting Your Image for Your 1,000 Friends on Facebook,” Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s, “Don’t Let Facebook Make You Miserable,” Douglas Rushkoff’s “A Brand by Any Other Name,” Phoebe Maltz Bovy’s “Luxury Brands Are Status Symbols Only if You Can’t Afford Them,” and Kalle Lasn’s “The Cult You’re In.” Remember to establish your points clearly and sharply and to deliberately cover and fully support each and every claim you raise. Finally, work to build your essay around a tight, unified analytical focus.
