Essay 3: Policy Paper – New Jim Crow, Mass Incarceration, War on Drugs(100 points)
Essay prompt:
what principles should guide US policy with regard to how we treat criminality and criminals, and how to decrease the racial bias that appears to exist despite colorblindness of current laws?

You must cite both The Warmth of Other Suns (Stirrings of Discontent) and the New Jim Crow

Use outline to guide your writing.

Organization: This paper should include three main elements: 1) Historical background/context; 2) Analysis and explanation of current situation; 3) Policy recommendation that addresses current and historical aspects of problem.

Evidence from Sources
35 / Historical Content and Context
40 / Organization
10 / Conventions
15 / Total
/100
Cite specific evidence, ideas and concepts from both Warmth of Other Suns and New Jim Crow.
Author’s intention is accurately described.
Facts from texts are analyzed and directly connected to a claim or argument .
Both sources are cited, both in-text and in a works cited.
(Last, First M. Title of book, edition. City of Publication: Publisher, Year Published. Print)
Minimum of Five in-text citations. From both authors.
(Last name page #) / Clear, in depth response to all parts of the prompt. Answers each question in outline.
Clearly, accurately and thoroughly presents and analyzes information.
Policy recommendation is directly and logically connected to information presented.
Demonstrates a high level of knowledge, a deep understanding of material from class and understanding of content and historical context.
Minimum 3 pages, MLA format (see MLA Style Guide on website) / Ideas are organized and presented in a logical way and organized around a thesis or question.
Each paragraph is organized around one central claim.
Essay provides context, clear claims & supporting evidence.
Smooth, logical transitions are made between topics.
Follows basic structure provided in outline. / Grammar, mechanics, orthographic conventions, in-text citations, spelling, word choice and punctuation are used well with few or no mistakes.
MLA format
B (28-31) / (32-35) / (8) / (12-13) (5-7 mistakes)
C (25-27) / (28-31) / (7) / (11) (8-10 mistakes)
D (23-25) / (26-28) / (6) / (10) (11 mistakes)

Portfolio Contents

Response to Stirrings of Discontent

Response to New Jim Crow (various sections)

Response to New Jim Crow (pages 126-139)

Outline

In Class

In-class response to Warmth of Other Suns

Notes from peers on New Jim Crow and in-class response

Essay 3 Outline: New Jim Crow Policy Paper

Introduction:This essay will be aimed at making a policy statement about what principles should guide US policy with regard to how we treat criminality and criminals, and how to decrease the racial bias that appears to exist despite colorblindness of current laws.

Organization: This paper should include three main elements: 1) Historical background/context; 2) Analysis and explanation of current situation; 3) Policy recommendation that addresses current and historical aspects of problem.

1). Historical Background: What was Jim Crow? How was Jim Crow used as a form of social control? Use specific examples from The Warmth of Other Suns (Stirrings of Discontent) by Isabel Wilkerson.

2). Analysis and Explanation of Current Situation: What changes in laws and Supreme Court cases help explain the emergence of Mass Incarceration? What policies and decisions help to explain why African Americans have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs? Cite specific examples from The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.

3). Policy Recommendation:

a) Based on your analysis, what principles should guide US policy with regard to how we treat criminality and criminals? If mass incarceration is a problem, how can it be solved?

b) Based on your analysis, what changes in law or policy would be most effective in addressing historical causes and reducing current racial bias in the criminal justice system?