Minimum 800 words in the body of the paper (excluding title and the reference list)
Choose a product from the U.S. and analyze how this product’s life cycle has affected equality, structural inequality, and diversity in the U.S. (or the world), and reflect on your own positions within these processes. You may consider any product: a product with a physical form (such as clothes, cars, etc.) or without a physical form (such as financial or cultural products, or government policies). You can focus on one or multiple steps in the products life cycle. You must discuss the impact on all three aspects (equality, structural inequality, and diversity), and reflect on your own positions/experiences in relation to the product’s impacts on these aspects. Please integrate course material (concepts, theories, discussions, and lectures). Cite at least one course reading and one appropriate source from outside class. All course reading materials are posted on the course HOME page.
Submission requirement: No AI generated text is allowed in your submission. If you use AI tools in an appropriate manner as discussed in class (such as for brainstorming, generating ideas, etc.), you must include an AI use statement at the end of your paper to specify which AI tool you use and how you use it. You must engage with your sources in your paper to provide evidence for your argument, and include links to all outside sources in your references, and/or upload the PDF files of your main sources.
Instruction: 1. You must focus on a human-made “product,” either a social/political/cultural product or a physical product. 2. Your paper should have a clear structure, including a thesis, body paragraphs with clear topic sentences and focused discussions, and a conclusion. 3. The paper should be detailed in analysis and your argument should be based on specific evidence. Make sure to choose a focus (such as a particular brand, or a particular policy/practice) that allows you to provide specific examples, statistics or any other kinds of factual details or data in your paper. 4. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence linked with one of the four topics in the prompt (use the key terms). The paragraph should then explain your ideas (defining the main concept is very helpful!) and cite evidence to support your claim. Then the paragraph should analyze your evidence and link your analysis with the main topic of your paragraph. 5. You may use the first person in your self reflection. 6. You can use APA or MLA citation format, and should include intext citations and a reference list for either citation format. APA citations of all reading materials are listed in the document “APA citations for course reading materials” posted in the first module of the home page and also at the end of the course syllabus. Please put the course material in your references in bold. 7. Please review the rubrics before you start writing the paper.
Format: double space (indent the beginning of each paragraph; no extra space between paragraphs), 12 font size
Rubric
Reflection Paper #1 Rubric
Reflection Paper #1 Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting competence/Essay organization/Mechanics
10 pts
Thesis is clearly stated in the introduction. Main points are fully supported with valid evidence. Logical closing paragraph. Writing (via sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation) is properly streamlined.
8 pts
Thesis is stated but not clearly focused. Main points are mostly supported with valid evidence. Writing (via sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation) has some errors.
6 pts
Thesis is briefly hinted/mentioned in the introduction. Main points are lacking in support. Evidence is lacking or needs more credibility for support. Concluding paragraph is present but does not offer a recap of main points or implications for consideration. Writing (via sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation) needs improvement.
4 pts
Thesis is not stated or identified in the introduction or body of the essay. There is no logical conclusion. Main points are present but without a clear thesis the orgaznization and support is uncertain. Writing (via sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation) needs major improvement and proofreading.
0 pts
The essay has too many structural and grammatical problems and needs to be rewritten.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Criteria: Student is able to analyze historical, economic, political, or social processes that shape diversity, equality, and structured inequalities in the U.S. and reflect on ones own identities and positions within these structures.
30 pts
Discussion is clearly related to the main topic.
Includes clear ideas and consistent supporting details and/or examples. Discusses how a product’s life cycle has affected diversity, equality, and structured inequalities in the United States or in the world and reflect on one’s position within these structures with insightful analysis and specific details throughout the paper.
25 pts
Discussion is clearly related to the main topic.
Discusses all the topics in the prompt with clear analysis and specific details in most of the paper, or only discusses three of the four main topics with thorough analysis (discuss the impact on diversity, equality, and structural inequality, and reflect on one’s position within these structures).
20 pts
Information is clearly related to the main topic; provides some supporting details and/or examples.
Includes adequate but not consistent supporting details and/or examples. Parts of the paper are too general or unclear, or the paper only addresses two of the four topics with thorough analysis (discuss impact on diversity, equality, and structural inequality, and reflect on one’s position within these structures).
15 pts
Essay relates to the topic but is too general.
The student does not give any specific examples that relate to the topic. Or the paper only discusses one of the four topics with thorough analysis. Or the paper discusses social impacts of the product but does not link the discussion with diversity, equality, and structural inequality, and does not reflect on one’s position withint these structures.
8 pts
Information is marginally related to the main topic, and no details or examples are provided.
0 pts
The essay does not address the topic directly.
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEssay length and format
3 pts
Essay meets minimum length requirements, uses 12 point font, and is double spaced.
2 pts
Essay is within 10% of meeting minimum length requirements. Essay assignment format is partially satisfied.
1 pts
Essay does not follow the assignment format guidelines. Essay did not meet minimum length requirements.
0 pts
Essay has fewer than 450 words and needs to be rewritten.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCites two relevant sources. Student includes two citations from course readings or one citation from the course readings and a citation from other credible sources.
7 pts
The essay includes two citations from course readings or one citation from the course readings and a citation from other credible sources. The essay uses proper citation format in the text and in the reference list.
5 pts
The essay includes at least two citations from the course (or one from the course and one from other credible sources); includes in-text citations and a reference list, but has errors in either the in-text citations or the reference list.
3 pts
The essay includes two citations but does not cite the source properly. Or the essay includes only one citation.
0 pts
The essay does not include any citation.
7 pts
Total Points: 50
