Guide to Writing a Co-Curricular Activity Reflection Paper (2 x 5%)
The main goal of our course is to improve your application of knowledge to understanding the world around you by examining your own beliefs and ideas—your stances and feelings about things happening in the world. In that spirit, you will write two reflection papers this semester on two events that you attend from the approved list of CULF co-curricular activities or other relevant events with the instructor’s approval. (Weekly lists are in “Files” on our Canvas page).
Your reflection papers should be between 1100 and 1250 words and combine a brief description or summary of the event (one solid paragraph) with your own analytical thinking about it along with connections to larger themes, such as economic theories we discuss, perspectives on globalization, attitudes toward governance and ideology, etc. That is, use our readings from Controversies In Globalization, Battle for the Arab Spring, Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution or our classroom lectures and discussions to develop a frame in which to analyze the event.
Your reflection papers are due within one week of the film or event. You must complete the first of them by March 11 and the second by May 1.
In general, think of these papers as expressing an idea or thesis along the lines of: “When I attended event X and thought about Y, I became more/less convinced of Z” or “After learning X, I began to rethink Y in terms of Z.” In short, these reflection papers should expose the changes in your understanding of globalization, the Middle East, etc.
In composing your reflections, follow this rubric:
A papers make compelling personal reflections on the event or film, using some alternative perspective from readings or lectures in comparison to personal stances and feelings; they articulate insights into global interdependence and power relations; they address ethical problems from multiple standpoints; and relate these standpoints to the student’s knowledge and experience. These papers obey a focused, coherent purpose and are written in perfect academic style with no errors in grammar or spelling.
B papers make coherent points about the event or film and how it connects with some of the author’s personal stances and feelings and/or the perspectives represented in readings and lectures. These papers are well focused with a recognizable thesis statement, and are generally well proofread and edited for academic style.
C papers make a number of disconnected points about the film or event, with an unsupportive application of readings or lectures. These papers tend to describe more than they react or analyze. They demonstrate approximately correct proofreading and editing for academic style.
D papers make disconnected and incoherent points, or are overridden by descriptive summarization with no reaction or analysis. D-level papers are substantially shorter than 1100 words and show poor proofreading and editing for style.