Critical Commentary

Use the file attached to do the work.

Anzaldúa – La conciencia de la mestiza

Format: Minimum 840 words. Any less results in grade reduction. No maximum word count. Use in text citations for all quotes and content that is not yours. (*note* Do not overuse quotations. This will negatively affect your grade. I need to assess your understanding of the work, so use quotes accurately and only when appropriate to do so in support of your argument) You will accomplish two tasks in this assignment:

Task 1: Select only ONE topic, issue, claim, quote, idea or concept to address from one of our assigned philosophical texts. This should be a narrow, focused investigation of this topic, so make sure the idea you will assess is not too large for this assignment. Demonstrate your understanding of this issue/concept/idea in your own words. This is not a summary, only include information which will be important and relevant for task 2. You are not intended to summarize the entire piece. Only give information that is necessary for your critique. At the end of the description, include your guiding philosophical question, bolded. All following philosophical questions should be italicized. (Should be ¼ of the assignment, one to two paragraphs at most.)

Task 2: Analyze the topic, issue, claim, etc. that you have selected and described in the first task. Begin by asking questions! Think through the issue. What questions arise in connection with the idea? What do we need to explore further? Treat this as a time for you to engage the material in your own direction, as it suits you. Use a concept from the text as a starting point, to provide your own analyses of the issue or idea you are addressing. Make claims in response to your questions, then test out those claims, support them, justify them with evidence and reasoning. Be sure you are taking a stance, making an evaluative claim, and defending that position. (Should be ¾ of the assignment.)
Tips: Write a sort of philosophical dialogue with yourself. Follow your own line of questioning through investigation. Ask questions, try to answer them and dig deeper to ask further questions and continue on. Use the Critical Thinking Cheatsheet in the Blackboard “Rubrics and Teams” tab.

Remember: in this assignment, you are asked to prove that you have learned something new, i.e. it is not meant for you to simply relate everything to what you already know. Philosophy relates to many other subjects, but make sure the philosophy remains the focus of the work.