For this paper, please pick one of the following topics:
Topic A: Linguistic Conflict at OberlinDescribe a time when you've observed language creating conflict at Oberlin College. What was the background of the conflict? Exactly what language set it off? How did the participants handle the situation when the conflict emerged? How did the language they used at that point affect the outcome of the conflict? Could they have handled it differently, for better or worse? If so how? If not, why not?
Topic B: Plagiarism and the Oberlin Honor Code
Assess the current effectiveness of the Oberlin Honor Code, especially its statements about plagiarism. Interview at least three members of the campus community (preferably representing different points of view--for example a mix of faculty/staff and students, or students of different class years, majors, and/or home nationalities) to find out what they know about the rules we have to discourage plagiarism and their sense of the effectiveness of those rules. Describe both what you learn from the interviews and your subsequent sense of how well our Honor Code is working. Suggest any changes you feel might improve the situation if you find it unsatisfactory.
Topic C: Civility in the Oberlin Environment
Using the Howell-Kornblith exchange distributed to the class or another campus event you have witnessed (for example an exchange in a campus publication or in a class or at a public lecture or panel presentation), discuss your assessment of the level of civility in the language used. What efforts, if any, did the participants make to be sure mutual respect and understanding were promoted? What effect did such efforts have on the exchange and the quality of thought that resulted from it?
Topic D: Substitute a Paper You're Currently Writing for Another Class
If you're currently working on a paper (not an exam essay) at least 4 pages long for another course that involves some form of incorporating the ideas or words of others, you may substitute that paper for this assignment. If you choose this topic, however, you should ask the instructor for the other course whether she or he minds if you also work on the paper for this class.
I would imagine it will take you at least 4 pages of typed, double-spaced writing to do this assignment well. Email a first draft of it as a Word Rich Text Format file to me by 6 pm on Tuesday, April 25.
Keep in mind that one purpose I have for this assignment is giving you the opportunity to develop your skills of documentation. Therefore, we will be working on carefully noting when you quote or allude to others in your writing.