Background
There has been a lot of conversation in public spaces about Critical Race Theory and the
“teaching” of it in public schools. Voices on both sides of this controversy make claims about
what it is and what it does. Typically, this results in shouting, finger pointing, and
misinformation being spread via news networks, print media, and social media. The controversy
regarding Critical Race Theory is just one of many social issues in the United States today (like
immigration) that have become emblematic of our cultural divides, of what separates us, and
what tears at the fabric of our social and national unity. Some see the theory as an attempt to
recognize and study the past to see how events in history affect society today or so that we learn
from the mistakes of the past while others see the aims of the theory as simply to cast blame on
White Americans, further exacerbating cultural divisions.
The Assignment
Essay 3 fulfills the student learning outcome for ENGWR 300 of learning effective college
research; synthesizing sources; assessing texts for audience, purpose, and tone; and composing
college-level essays. From your research and reading of Critical Race Theory, explain, what
Critical Race Theory is, what this theory attempts to do and not do, and why and how CRT has
become controversial. Ultimately, take a position on the “controversy” using evidenced-based
reasoning. “Taking a position” means you will need to use your new awareness of what CRT is
and what its real goals are—according to the theory’s practitioners or users—and decide whether
you believe the theory is helpful for understanding racism today in the United States or harmful.
Of course you will need to make sure you are developing an evidence-based argument, not just
stating your opinion.
Requirements
1,800+ words demonstrating critical engagement with the texts.
3) Use of at least four secondary sources (from the ARC Library’s Data Bases) to support
your argument for or against the usefulness of Critical Race Theory. MLA 8 format and documentation.
4) Write for an audience of your peers.
5) To be successful in this project, you will need to read, research, discuss in small groups, and
participate in Canvas discussion boards and Conferzoom lecture/workshops.
Use of any source(s) to illustrate a point or create background or significance of the issue
