Research Essay (5 pages):
The essay itself must have a clear topic, research question, and argument. You must support your argument with properly introduced and analyzed evidence from both your primary and secondary sources. You must include a separate “Works Cited” page (this doesn’t count as one of your 5 pages).
Research Essay due: April 20, 2022
Topics:
Make an argument for the way that invisibility and hypervisibility function in The Bluest Eye. Pick one or two characters (e.g. Pecola, Cholly, Claudia or Frieda) and indicate how and why they are seen or not seen, and in what circumstances. What role do racism or shame play? You may refer to the Bouson or hooks articles, or provide a secondary source of your own.
Personal aesthetics (beauty and ugliness) play a significant role in the novel. In addition, these ideas are juxtaposed to constructions of masculinity and femininity. How do constructions of gender and/or aesthetics affect the characters and why? Make an argument for the role of gender or aesthetics in the novel. Again, you can refer to any of the secondary sources provided or provide your own.
In response to either the Mullins & Preyde or the Zlomislic article, write an essay on what universities should be doing to accommodate students with disabilities, invisible or not. You may refer to any of the articles assigned on March 29, and/or conduct additional research. Other points to consider: What role do peers have in supporting students with disabilities? How far should institutions go in working with students with disabilities?
In response to Nancy Mairs’ article, “On Being a Cripple” write an essay on the language used around disability/ability. Do terms matter? Consider the varied language used historically (cripple, disabled, ableism, etc.) How does the language we use affect how we view people? What kinds of language (and specific wording) should we be using to ensure everyone’s humanity? In addition to Mairs, you will need to find additional sources for this paper.
If words matter, what words should Canadians use to describe themselves? Multicultural? Intercultural? Visible Minority? How does the power inherent in words affect how Canadians perceive themselves? Perhaps the term “visible minority” is used so that equity-seeking groups can access additional funding. In considering any of the articles referred to on April 5, write an essay on how Canadians perceive themselves and the kinds of language they use to describe themselves. You will also need to find additional sources for this paper.
