In our course, we have covered the origins of systemic oppression that marginalized groups face in the United States. We've also gone through a unit on social justice and resistance. Now, it is up to you to create a media project and a reflection paper that integrates these core concepts! For this assignment, you will research and create a media project about a historical or contemporary figure who addresses systemic inequities in their community, and write a single-spaced one-page reflection tying in materials from the course in connection to this individual’s actions. It is of utmost importance that in addition to outside research, you also integrate evidence from the course into both your media project and the reflection paper.
***Please ensure you complete both portions of the assignment to get a complete grade (media project AND reflection)***
See the directions and rubric for more details!
Instructions
Research and create a media project about a historical or contemporary figure who addresses systemic inequities in their community, and write a single-spaced one-page reflection tying in materials from the course in connection to this individual’s actions. This figure could be local to San Diego, national, or global, and their story should illuminate key themes such as social justice and intersectionality. You should directly engage with how this individual counters specific forms of systemic oppression in their communities with evidence from class materials. You will have to decide how to collect information relevant to your profile (e.g., interviews, research, etc.). Your final project can take the form of a podcast, informational video, Prezi presentation, collage art piece, etc. - the creative freedom is yours!
Guidelines for the Assignment:
1. Content Quality (30%)
- Selects a clear, relevant historical or contemporary figure connected to systemic inequities.
- Provides thorough research and accurate details about the figure's background, community, actions, and impact.
- Clearly identifies and explains the specific systemic oppression(s) the figure addresses.
- Integrates evidence from the course to support the analysis
2. Use of Course Materials (20%)
- Directly integrates at least two key concepts from class (e.g., social justice, intersectionality, resistance, allyship, colonialism, etc.).
- Shows a thoughtful connection between the course theories/readings and the figure’s activism or work.
- Properly cites any referenced course material (even if informally, e.g., "as discussed by [author/topic] in class").
3. Media Project Creativity and Execution (20%)
- Final product is polished, engaging, and creative (podcast, video, Prezi, collage, etc.).
- Demonstrates clear effort and attention to design, storytelling, and audience engagement.
- Media project includes attribution of sources (can be a credits slide, audio mention, or citation panel, depending on the medium).
4. Reflection Paper (20%)
- Single-spaced, one full page (~500 words).
- Provides a personal reflection connecting the figure’s story to broader course themes with evidence from the course materials.
- Discusses insights gained and personal reactions, not just a summary.
- Thoughtful analysis showing depth of understanding — not surface-level commentary.
5. Research and Sources (10%)
- Draws on a variety of sources: credible news articles, academic sources, interviews (if possible), etc.
- At least three outside sources are used thoughtfully in addition to three class references
- Information is accurate, current (if contemporary), and appropriately contextualized.
Grading & Feedback
Here are the grading and feedback expectations for this assignment:
- I will grade and comment on your assignment within 1 week
- The criteria for completion is outlined in the rubric below
- The feedback you can expect from me will mostly offer questions to help push your thinking even further about these topics. I do not give feedback on grammar, sentence structure, etc. - if you would like help with writing specifically, please come to my student hours on Zoom for direct help (I actually teach writing in addition to Ethnic Studies!)
- With my feedback, please consider the questions I pose to you, although you do not need to respon