PositionPaper:70pointsInstructionsIn this paper, you will assert a position about oneterm associated with the topic of gender identities. You will select this termfrom alimited list that appears before the grading rubric.Yourclearly stated positionwill besupported by examplesfrom your personal observationsand experiencesin addition to material fromrelevant courselectures,textbookreadings, and external scholarly sources.**
1.State yourposition with respectto the term.Expressyour thesisclearlyina one concise sentence, and locateyourposition statement in the introduction of your essay. For example, you might choose “cisgender” as your term and then state the followingposition: Cisgendered identities are privileged in workplace contexts.
2.Explain your understanding of the term. Define and explain the term, supporting your understanding of it withproperly cited sources. Thisexplanation provides the history, background,and use of the term, and it does not need to be connected to the position you are taking.For example, you could explain when and how cisgender became a term used to describegender identities and how it is linked to the sex-gender binary.
3.Developyour position. Include threesupporting statements for your position and developthese arguments with examples and evidence. For example, your position on gender identities could be supported by a statement about leave policies in organizations that are exclusively granted to “mothers and fathers.” You would then provide an explanation of how you connect this policy to cisgender privilege. Again, all sources (course related or otherwise) must be cited properly.Your discussionwill bemore persuasive if supported by authoritative evidence rather than opinion.
4.Address any obvious orsubtle criticisms ofyour position.Think about why someone would disagree with your position.Academic publishing thrives on debate and disagreements among scholars on almost any given topic. If you can find research that critiques your position, cite it. Again, this will make your discussion more substantive and persuasive. Presentat least twocounterarguments, and explainhow your position can refute these.For example, someone may argue that laws protect workers who face discrimination based on gender. How can your position on cisgender explain thatprivilege for this group stillexists despite laws and policies regarding gender? You may not write that there are “no criticisms” ofyour position.This will result in a 0 for this section of the paper.
**You must citea minimum oftwo peer-reviewed academic journal articles(not in the textbook)in addition toa minimum of two references toarticles in thetextbook.These sources offer more in-depth information about yourtopicand support for your arguments. The ASU library is the best place to begin your research for sources. Although you may also use books, non-academic articles, popular press magazines,websites and blogs, noneof these will count towardthe aboverequired sources.Please watch the short video tutorials on our Canvas site foran overview of how to search for peer-reviewed articlesand avoid plagiarism. Format
•Developyourtopicin1500–2000words.
•Giveyourpaperameaningfultitle:“PositionPaper”isagenericassignmentname,notanappropriatetitle.
•FollowtheGeneralPaperGuidelinespostedonCanvas,includingAPAcitationstyleandformat.
•Do notuse theparticularcisgender example provided here as your position. Suggestions
•Think carefully before stating your position.You want to take a position that can be clearly supported by compelling evidence.
•Make sure your argument primarily and predominantlyasserts your position rather than attacking another’s position.
•Choose persuasiveand credible academic sources to supportyour ideas.The topics below—from which you will select oneterm—are taken from Module 1 lectures and readings.Topicstransgender intersexuality femininity masculinity heteronormativity heterosexualitytranssexuality queer cisgender
