Eng 1A / Zappa / Spring „12
ESSAY TWO: Democracy Matters
This paper, again, is a reading-based assignment. Using primarily evidence (avoiding summary)
from Democracy Matters and optionally, ONE article of your choosing from one of the Chabot
library databases, you will present an argument as these sources apply to the “here and now.” (Note
that “based on” means four direct quotes as well as two other paraphrased examples from West.)
Your thesis will arise from one of the following:
1) Choose any one of West‟s chapters as a focal point and analyze it for veracity as well as its
potential application to “living” democracy among us, now.
~OR~
2) Read one of the writers West discusses in Chapter Three—Emerson, Melville, Baldwin,
Morrison—and further develop or refute his claims regarding their contributions to the “deep
democratic tradition” as we experience it here and now. (Do not summarize either source.)
~OR~
3) Write about religious tradition (preferably, with a focus on ONE religion) and its role in the
democratic experiment as well as social justice; take a balanced, secular approach as West does in
Chapters 4 and 5.
~OR~
4) Research the “Take Back the American Dream” movement, as headed by Van Jones and Robert
Reich, and analyze the relevance and connections between West‟s argument(s) and this movement.
~OR~
5) Some other topic or line of argument you may have in mind, based on the text, but please clear it
with me first.
For this assignment, you will present an argument: identify a problem, take a position on it, and use
the reading to support you. You will not summarize, and you must make sure the problem you
identify is one that is a social concern (i.e., that affects a large group of the population, as opposed to
something that affects you personally, which equates to narrow opinion). Your argument will state
(and develop) what should (or should not) happen to address the problem. Remember the value of
the “so what?” question.
*Many possibilities! Many options! What NOT to do: do not summarize West; do not take the easy
way out; do not write about the obvious or over-generalize his arguments, but rather, think, think,
think! IF you choose to discuss the “Occupy America” movement, your information should be up-todate, from more than one source, and reflect some of the complexities of that movement.
Draft (minimum, FOUR FULL PAGES, TYPED): Due at BEGINNING of class, Thurs. Mar 22
(20 points)
Final paper (minimum, four FULL pages): Due Thurs. March 29 (80 points)
NOTE: Any paper at all short of four pages will be returned to you, unread.