Jewish Paper
Critical Paper, Rel/JS 802
4 double spaced pages/ approx. 800 words
DUE: IN CLASS Sept 26th
Please answer one of the following chunky questions in the form of an essay. Be sure to include a roadmap in the opening paragraph that states clearly the organization of the paper (following the logic of the multipart question). See grading criteria below.
1. “Jews are like Barbie aren’t they?” Using Janet Jakobsen’s analysis of how analogies function or don’t, please assess this analogy. To answer this question, carefully explain how analogies work and then apply this logic to the ways that the film “The Tribe” constructs Barbie as the quintessential Jew? How are Jews like and not like Barbie? Given the challenges of analogy, please assess the case the film makes, its strengths and weaknesses. Do you think it works?
2. Please describe Jakobsen’s argument about Barbra Streisand’s nose and her decision not to change it. What does it mean to “do Jewish” or to queer one’s identity in practice, making queer and Jewish into verbs? How does Barbra do both? Be specific. Cite key passages to make your case. How does this account relate to how Lavater understands the nose as a key to his theory of physiognomy or how is Streisand different from Sander Gilman’s account of “The Jewish Nose”? Be sure to explain either of these contrasting cases (choose ONLY 1), again with reference to either, Ewen and Ewen or Gilman’s text to make your case.
4. How do Ewen and Ewen frame their goals in writing Typecasting in their Prologue? How do they tie up their argument in their Coda using Alan Ginsberg’s poem “America”? Offer an example of how this works in terms of analogy. How might Jakobsen respond to this use of analogies? Be specific. How well do you think their use of analogy works in this case?
Grading Criteria
1. Content 60%
-how well does the student understand the question(s)? 15%
-how well does the student understand the materials used to answer the question” 15%
-how well does the student make their case? 30%
Organization, road map, transitions, conclusion 10%
Quality of the evidence provided and explained 10% Quality of the writing, clear sentences, direct speech 10%
2. Form 40%
-staying with the guidelines of the assignment
-correct citation and bibliography
-answer fully the question/s asked
-Gets assignment in on time (will vary by lateness!! Key factor in staying in the guidelines of the paper!)
Papers for Rel/JS 802
Helpful Hints
How to think about writing a paper!
1. Introduction, please include a road map, tell the reader what you are going to do in the paper in what order (note this helps you remember too!). For example: In this paper, I will look closely at the first paragraph on page 82 of Janet Jakobsen’s essay(Give full citation in bibliography/works cited at the end or in a note!). Then place the paragraph in the context of the article. For example: “This is in the first section of Jakobsen’s article where she lays out her crucial argument.” Then, after citing the text, explain its key arguments with careful reference to the text.
2. Transition, next paragraph, the quote. Once you have written it down, unpack the quote, line by line, be sure to explain key terms. You can say, I will focus on the first part or the middle or whatever but then say it and do it. This may be another paragraph or so.
3. Conclusion, what have you learned from this close reading?
In the longer papers you will be given a series of questions. In the first paragraph of those papers and exam essays, please again:
ALWAYS offer a road map that says that these are the questions posed and the order in which you will answer them.
ALWAYS include works cited/bibliography at the end of the paper.
Always places any quote in the context of the author’s larger argument.
For Large quotes, indent use block, single-spaced. If in this format do not use quotation marks except for quotations within the large quotation! IF NOT using block format, USE QUOTATION MARKS!
Always give precise page numbers for citation.
Always unpack any and all quotations from the text! Do not assume that these are self-evident.
DO NOT MAKE OVERLY LARGE GENERALIZATIONS! Be specific and always be sure to back up what you say with evidence from class readings!
Do not cherry pick, watch taking a line out of context be sure that what you are arguing is indeed what the author is saying not a brief interlude that includes, for example the opposite argument only to refute it.
Refer to all authors by their LAST names.
Watch PASSIVE VOICE, name the person who says or does x. Not, as in ”Things happen” Who made what happen? Name the actor!