Letter to a Theorist Assignment

OVERVIEW:
We can understand the Academy as a site in which scholars converse with each other
through publications. This assignment embodies the spirit of dialogue that has been
essential to the development of contemporary social theory.
The goal of this assignment is to imagine yourself in direct dialogue with one of the
theorists from the course. Choose from Serano, Walters, Oliver, Ladd, Nibert, Hardy,
Palmater, or Tuck and Yang.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1) Describe your interest in the author’s work. What specifically interests you or
strikes you about their ideas? Imagine that you are writing directly to the theorist. Refer
back to the chapter or article to ground your comments. (Use in-text citations as you
would for any academic assignment.)
2) Ask the author at least three questions related to their work. This is a chance to
demonstrate a keen understanding of the author’s ideas and pose questions that the work
raises for you. What would you ask the scholar, if you had the opportunity?
3) Introduce the theorist to one other author featured in SOCI 3P01 from previous
weeks whom you have not already discussed in an assignment. (In other words, do not
write about Ristić and Marinković, Davis and Mendieta, or Zoellick.) Elaborate on how
you understand their work as related, and why you feel the theorist might be interested in
their ideas.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Write the assignment in letter format. 5 pages (5 pages minimum, 6 pages maximum),
12 pt font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced. APA or ASA citation style. No references list
is required unless outside sources are used. No cover page required. (Put title, name,
student number, and date on the first page, top left corner). Include page numbers. The
prose should be coherent and cohesive throughout. As with all assignments, marks will
be lost for incorrect spelling and grammar. OVERVIEW:
We can understand the Academy as a site in which scholars converse with each other
through publications. This assignment embodies the spirit of dialogue that has been
essential to the development of contemporary social theory.
The goal of this assignment is to imagine yourself in direct dialogue with one of the
theorists from the course. Choose from Serano, Walters, Oliver, Ladd, Nibert, Hardy,
Palmater, or Tuck and Yang.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1) Describe your interest in the author’s work. What specifically interests you or
strikes you about their ideas? Imagine that you are writing directly to the theorist. Refer
back to the chapter or article to ground your comments. (Use in-text citations as you
would for any academic assignment.)
2) Ask the author at least three questions related to their work. This is a chance to
demonstrate a keen understanding of the author’s ideas and pose questions that the work
raises for you. What would you ask the scholar, if you had the opportunity?
3) Introduce the theorist to one other author featured in SOCI 3P01 from previous
weeks whom you have not already discussed in an assignment. (In other words, do not
write about Ristić and Marinković, Davis and Mendieta, or Zoellick.) Elaborate on how
you understand their work as related, and why you feel the theorist might be interested in
their ideas.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Write the assignment in letter format. 5 pages (5 pages minimum, 6 pages maximum),
12 pt font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced. APA or ASA citation style. No references list
is required unless outside sources are used. No cover page required. (Put title, name,
student number, and date on the first page, top left corner). Include page numbers. The
prose should be coherent and cohesive throughout. As with all assignments, marks will
be lost for incorrect spelling and grammar.

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