Response to Proposals

Students:

In general I have seen a lot of great comments and ideas flowing in your proposals and outlines. My first overall comment is that many of you need to be more systematic in your treatment of the essay, and you can do this in a number of ways. What I mean by systematic is that you need to deal with Durkheim's theory--which has multiple concepts that relate to each other--in an effective manner.
The most straightforward way to do this is to answer each question in order. This is absolutely acceptable. If you do this, remember that you still need to offer an OVERALL thesis up front. I've seen many of you put this in your outlines, which is good to see.

Alternatively, as you look over your notes and develop your answers, I encourage you to think about dealing with the totality of Durkheim's theory [as presented in readings and in lecture] and present your answers to part 1 without going through each question in order. This will be more complicated, but I think you have the tools to do so. For example, the first 5 essay questions themselves are designed to prompt you to think through all of the elements of Durkheim's ideas.

Either way, what I'm looking for is an introductory paragraph with an original, strong thesis in regards to the overall prompt. DO NOT REPEAT THE QUOTE IN YOUR ESSAYS:

“In the United States, the totem emblem is the flag.” -- Marvin and Ingle, Course Reader, p. 71.
Your job is to explain what this claim means and to select evidence that you think best illustrates how the flag functions like a totem.

Following this is where I expect you to have 2 or 3 sections. First, deal with the first 5 questions which are exclusively about Durkheim. Following this you need to deal with the final 2 questions, which you can do in 1 or 2 sections. This will probably depend on your thesis.


Now, in terms of specific issues, here are some comments that apply to many of the proposals I received.
Part 1

• "Practical causes" are really society--don't confuse the two
• What are the differences between the spiritual and material dimensions of a totem? Why must they have both elements?
  
• Why must totems/symbols be external? How is that externality related to the totem's status as a group object?
  
• Remember that Durkheim's theory is dynamic. So in addition to thinking how totems emerge in society, think about two other processes:
  
• Why must totems be reinvigorated, and how is this done?
• How do symbols continue to affect societies/clans after they are chosen?
  

Part 2
Keep in mind the following issues:

• What are potential differences--or similarities--between the clan vs. nation, and totem vs. flag? Are these groups equivalent, analagous, etc--or are they significantly different? Either way you answer this affects the flag's role as a totem. Many of you offer your personal opinions without defending them with examples and evidence.
  
• For example, many of you listed ways in which the flag is respected/revered in American society. You need to go further and show how these examples relate to the flag as totem, not just tell me how the flag is displayed or cared for.
  
• Many of you called the U.S. a religious community or patriotism as a religion. If you make this argument, you need to offer evidence of why this is true. Just as if you disagree with this, you need to offer evidence of why its' not true.
  

In both sections I've seen evidence that you've started to work through Durkheim's theory, and have good ideas about the flag/nation, but now more work needs to be done to make your arguments more specific.