Core Humanities Seminar, fall 2001

Alternative paper assignment

What happened yesterday, September 11, 2001, is unbelievable—beyond belief—and unspeakable—beyond words. For those whose lives have been personally affected, who have lost family and friends, or who are waiting in agony for news, and for those who can only look on helplessly, yesterday will be an open wound for a long time to come.

At individual, national, and international levels, the effects of the brutal violence in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania are already felt as world-changing events. Colleges, and classes like this one, are not separate from these events; we are all affected, and we must each try to understand what happened—to make sense of it for ourselves, with each other, and for each other.

This is an alternative paper assignment that gives you an opportunity to begin to reflect on what is happening this week. The form and the topics of it are finally up to you. But there is one requirement. I would like each of you to engage at least three reflective pieces on this tragedy, either editorials or op-ed pieces from at least two different major newspapers (for instance, New York Times, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, Wall Street Journal—all of which have on-line editions). Beyond that, here are some suggestions. Incorporate at least three of the following approaches:

-- Your personal testimony: your own experience of this day of horror.

-- Compare notes with those around you, interviewing friends, family, or others about
what they saw, felt, and thought.

-- News reports, from TV, radio, newspapers, magazines.

-- Published commentary (this is the required part).

-- Other things that help you understand, or just help: songs, poems, prayers, artwork.

-- Offer something to the victims and their families: song, poem, prayer, artwork.

Papers should be 3-4 pages. Due in class on Monday.