Reflection Paper In 2 pages double-spaced, you must address the following:

In 2 pages double-spaced, you must address the following:

Part I: Self-Reflection & Assessment (please include this heading and the one bolded below to organize your paper)

· Why are you taking this class?

· What has been your prior/current experience and exposure to women’s literature?

· What or who would you credit for being the major influencers/sources of information when it comes to a general understanding of gender relations? (Media, family members, personal experiences?) Be sure to elaborate on this.

· What is your personal assessment of American women’s lives today?

· What do you think the role of literature (past and present) plays in articulating or advancing issues that relate to women?

TIPS: *This is a reflection paper so first person use of “I” is permitted. Also, don’t try to impress me with flowery statements that you think I want to read; the strongest papers are honest and forthcoming. Your revised version will undoubtedly benefit from your candor in this first version.

Part II: Textual Artifact

· Definition/background: The term “textual artifact” is deliberately vague and can cover a wide variety of materials and media. The textual artifact may be a news event; a website, a movie, a song, album or musical artist; a comic or cartoon; a video clip or TV show; an advertisement; or some other manifestation of literature, media, art, or popular culture. For the purpose of this assignment, your artifact must be from no later than 5 years old (email me if you want to discuss date parameters further).

· Copy/paste or include a link to a news event, image or example of media that you think captures general perceptions (accurate, fair or otherwise) about women TODAY

· Briefly include information about the artifact (source, date, genre)

· Write a paragraph with your commentary and analysis of it:

· What drew you to this particular artifact?

· What are your immediate, unfiltered impressions of it?

· What do you find particularly powerful, intriguing or questionable about it?

Grading Criteria

· Quality and depth of commentary in addressing all required components

· Grammar, style, mechanics