Reaction paper

Due date:  Monday November 25 or before -- 1 extra credit point for every week early your paper is turned in
Length:  3-5 pages double-spaced
Topic:  Your choice!  Reaction paper to any readings assigned for classes Oct. 14 through Nov. 20

The purpose of this paper is for you to describe your reactions to an issue raised in the readings, and to integrate references to in-class and outside material in your discussion.  Describe and explain one or more of YOUR REACTIONS to the material.  You will probably find this assignment most appealing if you choose a topic that either intrigued you a lot or troubled you.  BE SURE TO GIVE YOUR OWN CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE MATERIAL -- DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE IDEAS PRESENTED IN THE READINGS OR IN CLASS.  This paper is worth 10% of your final grade.

You can say anything you want, as long as you follow the guidelines.

Guidelines:
1. In the paper, demonstrate that you have thought independently and creatively about the readings, class discussions, and other material related to the topic you've chosen.  If you're having trouble getting started, here's a couple examples: a) If several points of view were presented on the issue, which do you find most/least favorable?  Why?  or, b) Do you agree or disagree with the points made in the readings? Why?

2. Make two or more specific references to assigned readings.

3. The paper should be typed and double-spaced with 1-inch margins.  Correct spelling and grammar is expected.

4. You must use citations correctly!  This means using quotes correctly when using text word-for-word, citing your source when paraphrasing someone else's idea, and in either case, providing the author's name, year published, and if a quote, the page number.  You can use any citation style (ASA, APA, MLA), as long as you are consistent.  See below or look at the references/bibiliographies following articles in your reader for examples of acceptable ways to cite sources.
 

Examples of acceptable ways to cite sources:
If quoting a text book:
I agree with the authors of Women, Men and Society that "the development of a masculine or feminine gender identity is quite independent of either the presence of a pair of XY or XX sex chromosomes..." (Renzetti & Curran 1999, 41).

If paraphrasing:
Gender can be understood as a process, a social institution and a stratification system (Lorber 2000).

If using an article from a reader, cite the author of the ARTICLE, not the textbook:
It can be argued that there are at least five biological sexes (Fausto-Sterling 1993).

If referencing lecture/discussion in class:
Labels like "bitch" and "faggot" are used to enforce social norms about gender (class discussion, Jan. 30).
 

Then your bibliography/references would look like this:

Fausto-Sterling, Anne.  1993.  "The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female Are Not Enough."  Course reader.

Lorber, Judith.  2000.  "The Social Construction of Gender."  In Reconstructing Gender: A Multicultural Anthology, 2nd edition, E. Disch, ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Co.

Renzetti, Claire M. and Daniel J. Curran.  1999.  Women, Men, and Society, 4th Edition.  Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.