ASSIGNMENTS
Class Leadership
Your task is to discuss the readings of the evening as a group. Indicate what you think the common theme(s) of the papers are. Give your personal reaction to the readings. Were they informative? How did the readings differ rom each other? What was the general orientation or thesis of each reading? Creativity is desired. The discussion should take 15-20 minutes.
Write a 5 page essay using a minimum of FIVE articles from the required reading list. Use a standard citation approach, including references and footnotes and/or a bibliography.
(1) DESCRIBE ARTICLE
I have already read the articles! Do not go into detail. Just tell me the most important THEMES and TRENDS.
(2) DEFINE AND USE TERMS
If there are special terminology that is used in the article, or that you learned in class that describes something about the article - USE THEM!
(3) SHOW CONNECTION TO ONE OR MORE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PARADIGMS
A) Identify a theoretical or philosophical orientation
B) Outline the major dimensions of the orientation and in what way this orientation is presently best for you.
C) Compare that orientation with at least one other theoretical orientation and explain why it is not so satisfying for your present purposes.
D) Mention people in the field (both from the reading list and from outside readings), who have written from each theoretical paradigm.
(4) INTERRELATE ARTICLES
Don't just say: Article # 1 . . . # 2 . . . # . . . end.
Say: article # 1 has similarities/differences when compared with other articles. . .
OR
I am exploring X theme: this theme is found in article # 1 and # 3 but not in # 2.
OR
What information or ideas discussed in one article is/are also discussed in other articles? Are the discussions similar or different?
(5) PERSONALIZE
Show how you relate (or do not relate) to the articles. This can be done via the use of personal examples, case studies, etc.
(6) CRITICAL ANALYSIS
MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT! BE CRITICAL! Analyze what you are reading. Do you approve/disapprove? like/dislike? ALWAYS ASK WHY ! Why did this happen? Why did the author mention this? List examples of bias or faulty reasoning.
Position paper should be no more than 10 pages in length, including references, and is due on the final day of the semester. No late papers will be accepted. Students can choose any theme they want, but must discuss that theme in an international setting, i.e. via a country other than the United States. Use the following guidelines:
1) Short description of country: its cultural, economic and political make-up;
2) Description of educational issue in that country as it relates to your specific theme;
3) Use two different paradigms to analyze that issue
3) Connections of your educational issue to other countries (if applicable) and the U. S.
4) Show how education in Southern California can benefit from international/ multicultural knowledge.