Topic: the transition from high school or community college; dealing with diversity, classes, and extracurriculars.

Order Description
One theme running through our discussions and reading has been the intersectionality of race, class, gender, sexuality, and physical ability. We are all a complex combination of all of these elements (and more!) This influences our identity and sense of self and how we “present” ourselves in different situations, what we want or don’t want others to think or know about us, and how this plays into the power dynamics of classroom life.
For the second paper, write a letter to a (fictional) new professor or GSI:
1) educating her or him about the concepts of intersectionality and stereotype threat (use Steele here). [The external characteristics of the instructor might also influence what you try to convey and assume about her/him. Since this is a fictional person, you can weave these expectations into the letter.]
2) suggesting ways in which the class (readings, lectures, discussions, assignments) can be sensitive and attuned to diversity among students, including the individual combinations of race, class, gender, sexuality and any other things that come to mind.
3) offer concrete examples of your own experience with challenges relating to this and how you overcame them (or not). If you have not had such challenges, make something up or relate those of someone you know (no names please!) Bring in how extracurricular activities have worked with other experiences as a student (classes, living situation, job) that you think the instructor should be aware of.