English final paper essay

Due Date:__________________

“A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive.” –Albert Einstein, 1954 (p.405)

A core theme of our freshman seminar has been the meaning of social justice in relationship to an ethical vision of self and society. Consider and discuss what social justice means to you. What is one injustice that you consider to be a problem in this country? Who is affected by this social justice issue? Choose three readings/documentaries that we have focused on in class that address this injustice. Out of your three choices, at least one must be a reading from the First-Year Reader or the common read book. You can choose to incorporate outside sources if you wish. Discuss how each reading/documentary believes we can create a more just, free, and sustainable world regarding this issue.

Keeping your ideas and the readings/documentaries in mind, how do you feel about this injustice? What ways can we help create a more ethical society for people affected by this injustice? How can access to resources (education, healthcare, jobs, housing, etc.) improve their plight? What do you think are the most effective methods for positive social change regarding this issue? How can young people get involved?

Your essay should be four to six pages, double spaced, with one-inch margins. Your essay will be based on at least one selection from the First-Year Reader or the common read book. Make sure that you use the readings/documentaries as supporting evidence for your claims about the social justice issue that you choose. That is, do not simply summarize the texts/documentaries you use but also demonstrate to your reader how they strengthen your own beliefs. Citations need not be formal but should include the author and page number. Plagiarism is not acceptable and will guarantee failure for the assignment. In any case, you should be proud of your own ideas, voice, and hard work.

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Social justice (according to our class discussion and the Internet):

· a process which seeks fair (re)distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities

· challenges the roots of oppression and injustice

· belief that all people should have equal access to wealth, health, wellbeing, justice, and opportunity

· embraces values such as equal worth of all citizens and their equal right to meet their basic needs

*see p.405-407: “Working Toward Community” for more!

Media

--Killing Us Softly 4

--Where to Invade Next

--Inequality for All

--Farmingville

--John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight: “Sex Education”