Short Reaction Papers

These 1 – 2 pages typed, double-spaced, discussion assignments are short reaction papers.. These will apply a critical turn or certain key concepts from our readings to a contemporary news article (see example selections below, under readings). Do not attempt to summarize the whole of a reading in your application paper. A targeted, particular analysis is sought, where one demonstrates whether or how a reading adds some depth to the news article or show how the article supports the class reading.

So, the application paper is a paper where you select an idea, critical take, concept, etc. that you find of interest to our reading and show how it is relevant to contemporary social issues (via a news article/discussion – cases or examples are given in links after the readings to consider). The key is you show how an aspect of our reading (even if you are critical of it) proved revealing/insightful when grappling with current events. In the application papers we are testing the value/worth of certain theories or conceptual thinking.

5) Reading: Virginia Held – Feminist Transformations of Moral Theory – https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/nathan.smith2/phil2306/test-reviews/virginia-held-feminist-transformations-of-moral-theory/view – a critique is formulated attempting to expose the gender bias in the theoretic models of liberal (and post-liberal) thinking. The role of emotions in relation to reason, the relation of the public and private spheres (the personal and the political), and the very conception of the subject or the “self” (and the legal stakes of such thinking) will be developed.

– Application(Choose Any): Modern Applications –

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/11/lego-to-remove-gender-bias-after-survey-shows-impact-on-children-stereotypes; OR

 https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/01/disaster-patriarchy-how-the-pandemic-has-unleashed-a-war-on-women OR {For how gender and sexual politics tie together} https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2020/09/judith-butler-culture-wars-jk-rowling-and-living-anti-intellectual-times