Brainstorming Topics: Coates Essay

Now that we are about 2/3 of the way through the book, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what topic and form of analysis you'd like to do for the Coates Essay.

Review the Coates Essay Prompt, look over your annotations and notes from reading the book so far, review the quote bank that we've been compiling so far.  Then brainstorm ideas for the essay.  

Given the results of the election, there are many ways to connect what Coates is saying about "the Dream" and "the people who think they are white" to the current climate of the country.  Thus, if you have your own ideas about the essay, offer them.  The key things for me are that you perform a specific type of analysis of the book, and you do a bit of research on it.  Beyond that, I just want you to be interested in your topic.  So feel free to stray from the prompt's stated themes and lessons.

RESPOND to the prompt below by Monday, 11/21, 10 pm (200 words, minimum).

RETURN to comment on other people's responses by Tuesday 11/22, 10 pm.  Offer suggestions, steal ideas, give out compliments, ask questions.

PROMPT: What themes or lessons from Coates' book interest you for the essay, which form(s) of analysis do you think could apply to that topic, and what types of research might help you better understand the theme or lesson?  

For example, if you're interested in his ideas about race and racism (introduced early in the book), you might do a research paper, researching social constructions of race.  If you are interested in the Love/Acceptance/Diversity/Inclusion theme, you might perform an analysis of causes, that looks at the many places in the book where Coates learns something about this theme.  In connection with that analysis, you might do research into how exposure to diversity impacts us (this would probably be found in psychological or sociological studies).  These two models above are just ideas that I came up with ransoming to give you a sense of your parameters here.  If you are still unsure of your focus, or unclear on what kind of research you might do in relation to your select theme or lesson, this is the place to ask questions and solicit suggestions.

It is critical, at this point, that you can point to specific places or quotes in the book that reflect the theme or lesson.  Include some key passages in your response.  Also, you must throw out ideas for what kind of research you think might apply to or help you better understand the theme or topic.   

Rubric