Process of Self-Defense

Assessment Criteria

Instructions: The Midterm paper is expected to be a 1,500 word essay, while the Final Paper is expected to be a 3000 word essay, exploring one theme from the class readings and how the chosen can be developed into an argument to challenge our current understandings of anti-Black racism, male marginalization, male targeting, gender, etc. The student is encouraged to email the professor a title and the first paragraph of the introduction for his evaluation of the topic.
This mid-term paper allows the student to pick a topic from any of the areas covered in class up to week five in the course. The Final paper allows the student to pick any topic engaged over the entirety of the course. The student will be expected to explain how a particular topic, for example, the demonization of the Black radical tradition, and how this history and contemporary reality challenges our understanding of racism, white supremacy, Black consciousness, or Black Power. Similarly, the student may choose a topic in the looking at specific authors such as Kwame Ture, Bobby Seale, or Robert F. Williams as the basis of describing or analysing a particular problem.
The paper will be evaluated based on three primary areas. First, the author will be evaluated on their development of a clear introductory paragraph and thesis sentence. The first paragraph of the paper should include references and engagement with previous literature that does not account for the understanding the student is introducing. For example, if I were to write a paper on murder of Black men during the civil rights movement or the need to move beyond non-violence, my first paragraph would argue that current philosophical literature does not analyse the effect that Additionally, I would expect a clear thesis sentence: “Previous research into Black political philosophy has erroneously asserted that non-violence and integrationism was the dominant political ethos of the civil rights era and beyond, this paper argues that a closer examination of the primary texts written by Black radicals and revolutionaries utilized armed self-defense and self-determinist political programs over integrationist strategies.”
The second area of evaluation is citation and quotes. Unlike many philosophy courses, I expect facts to back up your interpretation and statements about the world. If you are going to argue that gender needs to be reformulate because the history of sexual violence has been narrow, you have to prove to me that previous literature and theories in fact make the field narrow. Your theory should be based in how you repair or amend this narrow literature. You must analyse the problem and how you think about the solutions given the evidence and interpretations you have of the problem.
Lastly, the student will be evaluated based on the argument put forth throughout the paper. This is not a book report or a summary of what you have read. The student will be expected to write an essay that argues for a different understanding of how we think about and interpret the respective concept throughout the course. Given the previous example of Black Power, the student might focus on how new categories and definitions are needed to understand Black self-determination, or racism, or how the concept of Black militancy has been used to demonize Black liberation struggles that do not cede control to white power structures or political groups. The concluding paragraph of the essay will be evaluated for evidence that the student is thinking about and interpreting evidence towards a specific argument and end.
Choosing a Topic: The purpose of a final paper is to test the ability of the student to think creatively about the problems and topics found WITHIN the readings over the course of the semester. Topics should be chosen based on problems or areas of interest the student believes they can contribute.
For example, a student who found Robert F. Williams’ discussion of armed self-defense interesting might take up the question:
Is Williams’ argument for armed self-defense provide a more useful theory of Black Liberation than non-violence or peaceful protest?
or ask: Given the overwhelming evidence of racialized male targeting by the state and whie supremacists the gender concept allow for a useful analysis of Black militancy?

Notice how these topics are internal to the texts we encountered throughout the class. The topics ask questions concerning the authors and developments of the theories introduced. These questions are not formulated based on concerns external to the text.
The paper is to be written in Chicago 17th edition with footnotes. Times New Roman, single spaced. Footnotes (for bibliographic reference) do not count towards the word limit of the paper. Only the text of the actual essay will be evaluated.
Philosophy’s department general guidelines:

General guidelines
Clarity

• Is the writing clear?
  • Is the grammar and spelling correct?
  • Is the language used appropriate?
  Structure
  • Is a clear thesis or position stated?
  • Is an argument, or arguments, offered in support of the thesis?
  • Does each part of the essay/exam have a clearly indicated purpose?
  Understanding
  • Is a sound understanding of relevant issues demonstrated?
  • Is the exposition of others’ views accurate?
  • Are technical terms adequately defined?
  Originality
  • Is there evidence of independent thought?
  • Is there critical engagement with the material?
  Argument
  • Is the argument convincing?
  • Are the inferences valid?
  • Are obvious objections anticipated?