The Language of Politics

The project I would like students to complete for this class is an analysis of the language that surrounds one particular issue that is currently being debated. In particular, I'd like multiple analyses, one from each perspective that has been expressed on the issue. For example, someone could examine the issue of bilingualism in the US. At a minimum, I would expect a project on this issue to include an assessment from the point of view assimilationsists (those who feel that immigrants should learn English), as well as from the point of view of pluralists (those who feel that society should support a multi-lingual environment and the preservation of traditional cultures). Each analysis should include an in-depth description of the identity politics that are in play for each faction.

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