PHI 104, Fall 2019

The Ideal of Democracy

5th Micro-Essay Assignment

Choose one philosophical concept from the texts in the unit. Then, find a
case study of your choice that you think this philosophical concept will help
to make sense of. A case study can be a specific event from the news, social
media, or your life. Or it can be a general phenomenon (such as street
harassment or ableist language.). Choose a case study that the author of the
text you’ve chosen did not already explore in detail.

Your paper should have a topic sentence and three paragraphs. In the first
paragraph, concisely explain the case study for a reader who knows nothing
about it. Don’t let this section take up too much space. In the second
paragraph, carefully explain the face of oppression. Go into detail here. This
is the backbone of your paper and needs to be explained carefully and
precisely. Do not just give a definition. Explain it. In the final paragraph,
explain how this form of oppression applies to this case study. This section
is likely obvious to you – spell it out, step by step, for a reader.

Assignment details:

1. The paper must be between 400-600 words. Focus on being clear and
concise. Avoid unnecessary words, phrases, and extraneous details.

2. Follow the paper template. This is part of the assignment.

3. Your paper should be typed in size 12 font, double-spaced, and carefully

proofread for spelling, grammar, clarity, and style.

4. You must include a works cited list and in-text citations, with page
numbers, for both direct quotes and paraphrases of specific ideas from the
text. Citations need to come after each new idea, not simply at the end of a
paragraph.

5. Put your UID on the paper, but do not put your name on it. Your UID is
an 9-digit number.

6. Submit your paper as a word document to ReggieNet by 11:55pm on

Friday, November 22nd.

Unit texts:
Saul - Dogwhistles
Fricker – Epistemic Injustice
Maitra – Subordinating Speech