In my Ethnic Studies course, I’m interested in students thinking back over the content of each recently-concluded unit and reflecting on how it might have changed them. This is a recurring assignment with the exact same write-up each time:
Remember the purpose of this class: our goal is making the world less racist. In a single, well-developed paragraph, respond to the following prompt:
How has content from this unit served to eliminate racism?
Synthesize your response from the specific articles that you’ve read, videos you’ve seen, class activities completed, conversations had, and lectures received.
Note: You are not graded on the content of your reflection or what you think; you are only graded on the quality of your writing for this assignment. I want you to feel free to write your honest thoughts (remember also to leave your name off your submission, please)
It is the “Note” at the bottom of the assignment that I’m thinking about most. I want students to feel free to be honest; I do not want them saying things that are not true for fear of how it will impact their grade. I hope the note will elicit an honest reflection, but I’ll have to A/B test the phrasing and give a survey after they’ve submitted their papers. (And, if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!)