Assignment #2: Op-ed on Slavery and America’s Colleges and Universities

For this assignment, you are to write an op-ed (750-1000 words) on history of slavery on America’s colleges and universities, reparations, and building names at historically white institutions. This might lead to an op-ed about the history of slavery on American colleges and universities or a specific school; this might lead to an op-ed that lays out specific remedies/reparations needed.  Or maybe, it is an op-ed about the ways that universities should or shouldn’t memorialize these histories. Whatever the focus, you are to write an op-ed that builds course materials (all while doing outside research), offers a clear argument/perspective, provide details, and advances the conversation in important ways.  5-step guide

Find a focus
Offer a clear argument and perspective
Provide examples and details that substantiate your perspective
Provide education that might encourage a person to learn about the issue surrounding the history of slavery on America’s colleges and universities, reparations, and monuments
Provide additional resources that advances the conversation on history of slavery on America’s colleges and universities, reparations, and monuments

Grading breakdown is as follows:

7 points – Makes clear argument, focus, and presentation 
4 points – Incorporation of specifics from course materials and other sources
3 points – Evidence of critical thinking (this isn’t simply a summary of the readings/research)
3 points – Advancement of conversation; points to resources; demonstrates outside research 

for a possible total of seventeen (17) points.