EDST 391-083
Color-Blind Nation: Worthy or Worthless Ideal?

Topic

We have read various articles discussing the legal, political, moral, social, and psychological reasons for advocating or opposing racial preferences in college admissions.

Question

In your view, should race be used as a plus factor in college admissions? (That is, should there be "bonus points" or preferences given to some races in deciding whom to admit to college?)

If YES, please explain why. Also explain which races should get a plus and how big it should be.
If NO, please explain why. Also explain how you would deal with the resulting racial imbalances in admissions.

Be sure to do the following in making your case.

• Explain and rebut the strongest arguments against your case. (Also make it clear why you think these particular arguments are the most important to rebut.)
• Support your argument with appropriate logic, examples, and (better yet) empirical evidence.

Grading criteria

• Has clear thesis.
• Has coherent, focused argument. (No "laundry lists" please.)
• Effectively identifies and rebuts the strongest counterarguments.
• Shows depth of understanding.
• Sees key distinctions among bases on which affirmative action is promoted or opposed (i.e., legal vs. social vs. psychological, etc.).
• Writes in clear, organized, and grammatical manner.
• Deals with all parts of the question.

Supplementary articles

In addition to the assigned readings, you might find some of the following articles useful in thinking through your argument.

• Commentary Magazine, March 1998. This is a set of several dozen short articles on affirmative action, some by authors we are reading for this class.
• Cohen, C. (1997, December 17). Race the criterion? The corruption that is group preference. Presentation in the panel "Would the Abolition of Race and Sex Preferences Be Good for Higher Education?" National Association of Scholars, New Orleans.
• Glazer, N. (1997, December 14). Race the criterion? For racial dispensation in admissions. Presentation in the panel "Would the Abolition of Race and Sex Preferences Be Good for Higher Education?" National Association of Scholars, New Orleans.
• King, M. Students' views on affirmative action. Seattle Times, 10/18/98.
• King, M. Diversity efforts have not been without controversy Seattle Times, 10/18/98.
• King, M. Efforts to diversify colleges get mixed results after 30 years Seattle Times, 10/18/98.