Humanities Reflection Essay 1: "Orientalism"
The purpose of reflection essays is to prompt you to think critically about subjects related to humanities and culture. Your first reflection essay is about history, terminology, and the "Orient." Your book uses the term "Oriental" on page 391. This term is controversial; for this essay, you will think about this word, read two different perspectives on its use, and then write about your own perspective.
Step 1: Prewriting
In your journal, define the term "Oriental," first by using a dictionary and then by writing in your own words what the word means to you. Do you use this word? Have you heard other people use it? What comes to mind when you hear this term?
Step 2: Gathering information
Read two short Web essays on the term "Oriental"
• "The term ‘Oriental' is outdated, but is it racist?" by Jayne Tsuchiyama https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-tsuchiyama-oriental-insult-20160601-snap- story.html
• "My ‘Oriental' Father: On The Words We Use To Describe Ourselves" by Kat Chow https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/05/25/478097902/my-oriental-father-on- the-words-we-use-to-describe-ourselves
Step 3: Writing
Write a short reflection essay (4-5 paragraphs; 1-2 pages) about the term "Oriental." What does it mean? Should people stop using this word? Why or why not?
To be successful, you must:
- Follow the assignment formatting requirements.
- Write a minimum of one full page
- Write a clear and coherent essay, with an introduction, a conclusion, and several body paragraphs (the exact number of body paragraphs is up to you)
- Proofread your work for grammar and spelling errors
- Address the whole prompt, thoroughly and thoughtfully
- Save your essay as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) and upload it to the correct spot on Canvas (find this under Assignments > Reflection Essays) before the due date and time.