This assignment entails writing an essay responding to material that challenges our traditional understanding of the Constitution and democracy as its practiced here in the United States.

The Constitution and democracy

Response or reaction essay. Paper details: For this assignment you will compose an essay responding/reacting to material that challenges our traditional understanding of the Constitution and democracy as its practiced here in the United States. A response/reaction essay asks the reader (you) to examine, explain, and defend his/her reaction to a reading/theme/film/lecture, etc. You will be asked to explore what and why you like or dislike about certain reading(s)/theme(s)/film(s)/lecture(s), etc., explain whether you agree or disagree with the author/material, identify the materials purpose, and critique it/them.

The Constitution and democracy

There is no right or wrong answer/format to a response/reaction essay. Nonetheless, it is important that you demonstrate an engagement and understanding of the materials and clearly explain and support your reactions. Don’t be dismissive though; these are rarely intended to be free flowing, last minute scrawls on the back of a napkin. Be prepared to address a question and support why you think that way about it. Generally, response/reaction essays asks the following questions: What does the text/material have to do with you, personally, and with your life (past, present or future)?

The Constitution and democracy

It is not acceptable to write that the text/material has NOTHING to do with you, since just about everything humans can write has to do in some way with every other human. How much does the text/material agree or clash with your view of the world, and what you consider right and wrong? Use quotes as examples of how it agrees with and supports what you think about the world, about right and wrong, and about what you think it is to be human. Use quotes and examples to discuss how the text disagrees with what you think about the world and about right and wrong.

How much were your views and opinions challenged or changed by this text/material, if at all?

The Constitution and democracy

Did the text/material communicate with you? Why or why not? Give examples of how your views might have changed or been strengthened (or perhaps, of why the text/material failed to convince you, the way it is). Please do not write “I agree with everything the author wrote,” since everybody disagrees about something, even if it is a tiny point. Use quotes to illustrate your points of challenge, or where you were persuaded, or where it left you cold. How well does it address things that you, personally, care about and consider important to the world?

The Constitution and democracy

How does it address things that are important to your family, your community, your ethnic group, to people of your economic or social class or background, or your faith tradition? If not, who does or did the text serve? Did it pass the “Who cares?” test? Use quotes to illustrate. Reading and writing “critically” does not mean the same thing as “criticizing,” in everyday language (complaining or griping, fault-finding, nit-picking). Your “critique” can and should be positive and praise the text/material if possible, as well as pointing out problems, disagreements and shortcomings. How well did you enjoy the material (or not) as entertainment or as a work of art? https://youtu.be/QecJrH1FTCc

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