This exam is OPEN-BOOK and you may use notes. You may come to class with an outline. You will have TWO HOURS to complete this exam. It should be no less than 600 words.
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Option A
It’s important to understand disability as part of one’s identity, much like race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality. Disability studies often focuses on things outside of the “normal” world, and intersects with gender studies, queer studies, feminism, critical race studies, and more.
Using as many texts as you can from the entire semester, think about what these readings say about the nature of identity, the concept of “normal,” and what it means to “fit it”? (Be sure to have a strong thesis and refer to different texts as evidence whenever possible. Refer to the class website for copies of the poems, play, and essays. Be sure to bring Susan Nussbaum’s book to class if you intend to use it.)
Option B
Take some time to reflect on what you thought about disability before taking this class. Look through your journal entries, think back to our readings, free writing activities, and class discussions.
In an organized, thesis-driven essay, describe how your thinking about disability has or has not changed? Was disability something you thought about before? Is there something you have changed your mind about? Is there a way that reading and listening to disabled individuals tell their own stories helped you think about disability differently?
DO NOT JUST SAY “I LEARNED ABOUT …” – actually show what you mean and explain/prove your knowledge.
Option C
Take some time to think about your writing at the beginning of the semester. Look through your notes. Consider your responses to my feedback from previous assignments. Look for places where you have improved and/or opportunities for further improvement. Then…
In an organized, thesis-driven essay, reflect on the progress you have made using the principles we have learned in class (e.g., strong paragraph openings, evidence). Note the progress you have made, the strengths, the weaknesses, and the continued struggles you observe in your writing. In addition, you can also note concepts you have learned throughout the semester.
DO NOT JUST SAY “I LEARNED ABOUT QUOTING” – actually show what you mean and explain/prove your knowledge.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE, PLEASE HAND IN A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR ESSAY AND SEND ME A COPY VIA EMAIL. YOU WILL NOT GET CREDIT IF YOU DO NOT DO BOTH OF THESE THINGS.
No matter what you choose, keep this in mind:
• This is a self-evaluative essay. You may use “I.”
• YOUR ESSAY SHOULD BE DOUBLE-SPACED.
• Use APA style.
• Avoid randomly or haphazardly listing things you have learned (e.g. “I learned that having a disability is hard” – prove it!!
• Write an organized, thesis-driven essay. Treat this as if you are trying to convince someone that you have in fact learned the things you claim to have learned.
• Use whatever evidence you have at your disposal. You can cite from your own writing. This is an open book examination.
• You must write a minimum of 600 words.
* You may use first person