Students in this course are expected to complete a civic engagement reflection paper that demonstrates their capacity for responsible citizenship in a diverse society.

The reflection paper should be 2-3 pages (about 500 words), excluding references. Use Microsoft Word. The paper is to follow the APA format, double-spaced; size 12 Times New Roman font, and the margin 1 inch from all sides.

Please submit your paper on the last Friday of the class. If you turn in your paper late, you might lose 10% of the point value of the assignment for each late day. The paper will not be accepted after the third day of the due date.

The Paper:

Please read Chapter 13: Civil Rights (Elite Response to Mass Protest) of your textbook and reflect on the following issue of affirmative action.

There is no doubt that affirmative action programs have raised controversy around equality and discrimination. Do you think American colleges should be able to use affirmative action programs to promote diversity and to remedy past discrimination and current inequality? In your paper, be sure to analyze the significance of the 14th Amendment in relation to decisions about affirmative action policies. Defend your opinion and respond to the opposing views. In explaining your answer, refer to the recent Supreme Court decision “Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. ___ (2023)” and examine if the Supreme Court has been able to provide equality to minority groups.

Grading Rubric:

Civic Engagement and Personal Reflection (40% of 5 points):

Demonstrates an understanding of civic engagement and its role in shaping public policy.

Thoughtful and reflective opinion with well-supported reasoning.

Content and Understanding (25% of 5 points):

Depth of analysis and understanding of affirmative action and the Fourteenth Amendment.

Clarity in explaining the importance of diversity and historical context.

Argument and Evidence (25% of 5 points):

Coherent and well-structured argument defending the opinion.

Incorporation of diverse perspectives and counterarguments.

Organization and Clarity (10% of 5 points):

Clear and logical organization of the paper.