Global studies 1000-1200 words
Please read the instruction file very carefully.
Prompt:
In this class we touch on topics such as thinking globally about history, colonialism, inequality,
human rights, and social movements; all of which are relevant today. Recent protests are
forcing the US to reckon with its ugly past of racial inequality. Recent works by author
Isabel Wilkerson ask, Does the US have a “caste system” today? Can caste systems
operate at the transnational level as well? Could the divide between the first world and
third world be described as a global caste system?
Some possible resources:
Americas Enduring Caste System (2020)
It’s More Than Racism: Isabel Wilkerson Explains America’s ‘Caste’ System (2020)
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898574852/its-more-than-racism-isabel-wilkerson-explains-
america-s-caste-system
America’s ‘untouchables’: the silent power of the caste system (2020)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/28/untouchables-caste-system-us-race-martin-
luther-king-india?CMP=share_btn_link
Does America have a caste system? (2018)
https://theconversation.com/does-america-have-a-caste-system-89118
Racial and caste oppression have many similarities (2015)
https://theconversation.com/racial-and-caste-oppression-have-many-similarities-37710
Directions:
Use concepts and examples from the assigned course readings and course lectures to
respond to the prompt. We are not asking you to summarize the readings/lectures/news
sources or answer all the questions above. We are not asking for your unsupported
opinions. We are asking you to make your own coherent and well-supported argument
about the topic. Cite specific concepts, short quotes, and examples from the assigned readings
and lectures as evidence to support your own argument. Your paper needs to include a thesis
statement that outlines your argument.
Your paper should be 1000-1200 words or about 3-4 double spaced pages. Please pay careful
attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Remember that citations are required for both
paraphrasing and direct quotes from either the text or lecture. Feel free to cite other books and
articles as needed. Include a full list of works cited at the end (APA, Chicago, or other citation
standard be consistent!).
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898574852/its-more-than-racism-isabel-wilkerson-explains-america-s-caste-system
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898574852/its-more-than-racism-isabel-wilkerson-explains-america-s-caste-system
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/28/untouchables-caste-system-us-race-martin-luther-king-india?CMP=share_btn_link
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/28/untouchables-caste-system-us-race-martin-luther-king-india?CMP=share_btn_link
https://theconversation.com/does-america-have-a-caste-system-89118
https://theconversation.com/racial-and-caste-oppression-have-many-similarities-37710
