sex trafficking critique of mainstream journalistic representation alternative possibilities of writing about the issue
Total
6 pages
as follows:
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Critical essay: 4 pages
double spaced
addressing Part 1 + Part 2 as described
below.
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Feature-style investigative news report: 1 page
single-spaced
+ 1-2 paragraph
explanation addressing Part 3 as described below.
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DUE by Sunday, Nov. 24, latest by midnight (i.e. before Monday, Nov. 25).
Part 1
.
Critical Essay.
Explain the biases, assumptions and stereotypes prevalent in
investigative humanitarian journalism about sex trafficking. Why are they problematic?
Provide examples of aspects of writing or filming that reflect the problems with this form
of representation of sex workers in the global South.
Sources:
From Course Material:
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Refer to the academic article by Carrie Baker OR Roxana Galusca (Pick ONE).
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Refer to at least ONE of Nicholas Kristof’s
NYT
columns posted on Canvas and
discussed in class.
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Discuss least ONE MORE example of problematic journalistic, activist, or policy
representation of sex trafficking as explained by the author you picked (Baker or
Galusca) OR as covered in lecture.
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Lectures: Refer to AT LEAST ONE: Nov 14 and 19. Draw upon the
lecture/s
to
provide an overview of why the dominant media representations of trafficking are
problematic AND draw upon the lecture/discussion of
Ramachandran’s articles
to explain why rescues are an appealing, but overly simplistic solution to sex
trafficking.
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You
can additionally use
the lectures, videos etc. to provide any background
information and/or illustrative examples that would be useful for your essay. This will
strengthen your paper, but is not a requirement. Just be sure to cite your source. If it’s
the lecture, cite the lecture.
Part 2
.
Critical Essay (contd.).
Drawing upon Sine Plambech’s work, what are some
alternative ways of researching and representing sex trafficking? How are they different
Global Gender and Sexuality/ Upper Division Writing
Fall 2019
2
from Kristof’s? How do they help to minimize bias when writing about gender and
sexuality in the Global South when based in the Global North?
Sources:
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Refer to the academic article by Sine Plambech.
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Refer to EITHER ONE of the films by Sine Plambech: “Traffickingâ€
https://vimeo.com/241138732 OR “Becky’s Journeyâ€
https://vimeo.com/241139440.
Part 3.
Feature-style investigative news report
1. Rewrite Kristof’s stories about sex trafficking in Cambodia in a
single feature-
style investigative news report
, using alternative writing strategies that
minimize the problems of representation discussed in Part 1.
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You will not refer to any sources here, but will draw upon the possibilities
you discussed in Part 2, and your own ideas on how to do this differently
from Kristof and Co.
2. After the news report, provide a
1-2 paragraph explanation
of how you wrote
this report differently from Kristof’s reports/ other problematic depictions we have
critiqued.
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You can, but don’t have to, refer to any sources here. The idea is to
explain the writing choices you made for the news report – your thought
process and reflections.
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Note:
The syllabus mentions an additional article apart from the genre example. I
have simplified this assignment, so you can ignore that.
Genre example for Parts 1 and 2 (Critical essay)
https://thefeministwire.com/2013/03/op-ed-nicholas-kristof-and-the-politics-of-writing-about-
womens-oppression-in-darker-nations/
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This is an example of a critical essay. However,
note
that it is an op-ed/ blog post, so
it is written in the first person and sometimes uses “I.†Avoid this use of first person in
your essay.
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The genre example primarily critiques Kristof, but your essay needs to have a
broader scope
. You will write about Kristof, but situate his work more broadly within
patterns of problematic journalistic, activist, and policy representation.
Genre example for Part 3 (feature-style news report)
Ben Taub’s report, “The Desperate Journey of a Trafficked Girlâ€:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/10/the-…
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This is a very long report. Yours will only be
one single spaced page
.
Global Gender and Sexuality/ Upper Division Writing
Fall 2019
3
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Skim through the genre example to get an idea of the tone and style of writing.
Purpose of this assignment
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Demonstrate the ability to write in two important genres: A critical essay and a
sensitive, reflective, and nuanced journalistic report.
CRITICAL ESSAY
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Demonstrate that you have paid attention in class and understood the course
material.
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Summarize and Synthesize the assigned reading, lecture and discussion to write
a concise and strong critique with supporting examples.
JOURNALISTIC REPORT
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Demonstrate that you have understood why the forms of representation of sex
trafficking we are critiquing are problematic.
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Demonstrate the ability to write a complex, nuanced, yet interesting account
without committing these mistakes/ resorting to these stereotypes.
Writing Strategies and Tips
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For Parts 1 and 2:
o
Please continue to follow all of the Writing Tips and Strategies we have
covered in class so far, from the assigned writing text “Writing in Collegeâ€
(Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), the “Writing Tips†document posted on Canvas, and
the Introduction and Conclusion writing tips.
o
Implement the writing strategies emphasized in lecture and sections.
o
Improve on the writing strategies you have used for previous assignments.
o
Pay attention to the
instructions on how to modify the genre example
.
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For Part 3:
o
Your intro and conclusion do not have to be as comprehensive as they
would for Assignments 1, 2, and 3, or for Parts 1+2 of this assignment.
o
You can write them creatively, with “punch,†along the lines of the report
provided as genre example for Part 3.
o
Just remember not to commit the same mistakes as Kristof or resort to
sensationalism!
Any questions?
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Ask your TAs or the Instructor. We are here to help!
