Description
This 2-page double-spaced critical essay will be based on your choice of at least ONE chapter of
Bettina Love’s We Want to Do More than Survive, to demonstrate your ability to analyze the key
concepts of the course as they relate to human diversity, power, and opportunity in social
institutions. Critical essays should not be mere summaries of course readings, but an analysis,
reflection, and engagement with course experiences (e.g. class activities, discussions, videos, etc).
These essays will be evaluated based on the thoughtfulness of your ideas, the articulation of your argument, the clarity of your writing, and your ability to put multiple course concepts in conversation with one another. The following questions might help your thinking when composing
a critical essay:
- In your own words, what questions, problems, or issues does the author attempt to address or bring together? What is the main argument or organizing idea?
- What questions does the reading raise regarding the nature and purpose of schooling? What
practical implications, if any, does the reading have for today’s schools? - What serious omissions are left out of the reading? How do these omissions distort or undermine the author’s position? Critique the author’s argument.
- In what ways does the reading reinforce, extend, challenge, or oppose your own views? Be
specific.