Fall 2007 BASK 1102-001
Readings: America in the News, a freshman seminar.
Instructor: Pam Cross Office: J-105
Office phone: x 4899 (609-652-4899 from off campus—24-hour voice mail)
Home phone: 609-653-1018 (on weekends or before 10:00 p.m. weeknights)
e-mail: pam.cross@stockton.edu
Essay # 2 (100 points), due Friday, October 12:
In 3 – 4 pages (500 – 750 words), please answer the following question:
How does your place in America influence your views on the subject of illegal immigration?
Are you more in favor of beefing up efforts to keep illegal immigrants out of the US, or more in
favor of easing the rules to allow more people into the country to work? Pick a side. And then
explain how you have come to feel this way? How does your relationship with America color your
view? How does where and how you grew up influence your opinions on this issue? Explain.
Here are some suggestions for organizing these essays:
Start with your answer to the above question, your thesis.
Then discuss your place in America. Were you born outside the country? Your parents? Do
you speak a language other than English at home? Do you consider yourself a hyphenated
American (African-American, Asian-American, Italian-American)? Is the immigration issue ever
discussed in your home? How are you influenced by your parents’ views? Are you from a
comfortable family, more blue collar? How would your social class influence your views? Note:
You do not have to answer all of these questions. I put them here to get you thinking about
how to assess your own place in America. Pick and choose.
Once you have explained your place in America, discuss your views on the issue of illegal
immigration.
Please make specific references to the readings and/or films we have studied in this unit.
Show you’ve been paying attention.
Give your essay a meaningful title that fits your content. You could all use this model:
My America: __________________
For example, my title might be something like this:
My America: Blue Collar Irish-American Pride
Or
My America: The View from White-bread Whippany
Or
My America: I Like My Pool and My Salads
