AIDS: A Global Perspective
Critical Reflection Paper
- This critical reflection paper is worth 25% of your total grade for this course.
- Select one of the three topics provided below.
- Your paper can refer to any assigned course content (required/recommended readings, references provided on slides) or additional references that you find on your own. Due to the nature of the assignment (i.e. a critique), please do not reference lecture notes.
- Your paper must be submitted: (a) on Quercus by 3pm, October 29 and (b) hard copy at the beginning of class on October 29.
Points to Consider for Critique:
- Paragraph 1: Briefly describe the topic you selected and your understanding of it. Describe your views on the topic.
- Paragraph 2-xx: Paper Critique
- Select at least 3 papers (2 primary articles). Analyze and critique the evidence that they
present in support of/against your views. Briefly describe each study and their objective or hypothesis. What was the rationale for carrying out the study? Outline/describe the core results, key observations and conclusions. Would you interpret the findings a different way?
- Highlight what you think were the most positive and negative aspects of the article with respect to your stance. Suggest improvements or modifications where necessary/possible.
- Final Paragraph(s): Reiterate your stance! Based on your discussion and arguments presented, how has this contributed to/fuelled the AIDS pandemic? What are the key steps forward?
Format:
- Single-spaced, size 12, Times New Roman font
- 800-1000 words MAX excluding name, student # & title (use an informative title)
- Cite papers in a standard format that includes the article titles (CSE is recommended). In-text citations should be included.
HAJ453H1 (AIDS: A Global Perspective) Critical Reflection Paper– Fall 2018
Topic 1:
AIDS is no more than an African disease – it has grappled poor people more than rich ones. What are the factors fuelling this inequality? Provide your thoughts.
Topic 2:
A person suffering from HIV/AIDS has moved, isolating himself and placing himself in ‘quarantine’ from his friends and family. What are the mechanisms contributing to his decision? What do you think he should have done?
Topic 3:
In a scene from the play Angels in America (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98fBiOVEcyI), a doctor diagnoses his patient with AIDS. The patient counters, “No, AIDS is what homosexuals have. I have liver cancer.” Analyze this response with consideration of gender and sexuality. Which factors have affected attitudes and practices related to sexuality and HIV/AIDS?
– Your paper will be assessed using the criteria indicated in the evaluation form below. –
Student Name: Date:
Evaluator:
Scale: poor OK good excellent exceptional
D C B A A+
- Introduction – Brief summary of topic, clear viewpoint/stance (weighted at 10%): Comments/Feedback:
- Critique – Brief summary, objectives/hypothesis/rationale and core results of at least 3 key papers, positives/negatives stated, synthesis of how it relates to viewpoint/stance (weighted at 60%):
Comments/Feedback:
- Reflection – Synthesis of discussion and arguments presented, indication of how issue has fuelled the AIDS pandemic, future directions suggested (weighted at 20%):
Comments/Feedback:
- Formatting, Reference(s), Style (writing quality, readability), word limit, title (weighted at 10%):
Comments/Feedback:
- Overall Mark:
