Colliding Spaces: Weak Jurisdictions National Borders
Unit Description: In this unit, we have read a variety of essays that examine how space defines our world, and the impact that borders, both physical and abstract, have on our everyday experiences.
In your essay, you will make an argument about the ways that space and borders define the world – people, culture, identity, etc. You might think about physical or concrete borders, or perhaps you will use a more abstract example. You will want to think about the role of borders, what it means to cross or not cross them, and the impact they have. Thinking about our previous units, you might consider other ways that people have defined borders, either through culture, language, physical space, national identity, etc. As we’ve discussed, you might use a specific place or moment to think about the various borders that are created. Or, perhaps you’ll start with a specific border and move outward from there.
For this essay, you will need to cite two texts from our course reading that either support or refute your argument, and one of these should be a reading from this unit. Apart from these texts, you may also bring in your own experience or other examples and research.
Writing Goals
- participate in the writing process (including drafts, in-class activities, peer response)
- make a clear argument about the ways that space defines the world
- have an identifiable thesis that clearly articulates your purpose
- use multiple sources to persuade your audience
- write for an academic audience
- proofread your essay and use MLA formatting Requirements
- Final draft must use MLA formatting, including: Header, 12 pt. Times New Roman, 1” margins, and double-spacing, page numbers, and a title. You must also include MLA in-text citations and a final works-cited page.
- Initial draft: minimum 650 words and should identify your thesis, as well as the support and evidence you plan to incorporate.
- Peer Response draft: should be about 675-700 words and will be uploaded to your group’s folder on Google Classroom by the end of class Tuesday 4/17.
- Revised draft: must be at least 1000 words, meet the paper requirements, and show global revisions based on instructor & peer feedback.
- Final draft: must be at least 1000 words, and meet the above assignment writing goals.
- **All drafts should be submitted through the Google Classroom page using the correct assignment posting. We’ll review this in class. Please create new copies for each draft, rather than editing over each one. This will allow me to review each draft as part of the process portion of your grade