The CEE offers a contest for students to write an essay, or create an art piece, that identifies and addresses a social justice issue that stems from the USD Just Read! book of the year. Winning essays/artwork will be awarded a monetary prize (1st place - $400, 2nd place - $200, 3rd place - $100) and will be featured on the CEE website and in USD publications.
Essay Guidelines
Essay Topic
With a specific argument, consider a current social justice issue with direct relationship and connection to issues raised by the content and/or context of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America. As part of your argument, the book should be discussed and cited directly. You may also cite outside sources, but it is not a requirement. Submissions may be individually or group authored (if group authored, authors will split prize amount).
Essay Rules
- Suggested essay length is around 1300 words (1500 words max).
- Entries due: Friday, May 7th, 2021.
- Entries will be judged by select faculty and administrators involved with USD Just Read!
Judging Criteria
Essays that meet the Submission Requirement will be scored on the four criteria listed below.
- Significance: Identify and address a social justice issue that is of significant concern stemming from your reading of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America.
- Social Justice Principles: Explicitly identify the principles that are relevant and important to your considering at the issue(s).
- Strength of Argument: Provide supportive evidence (e.g., personal narrative, scholarly sources) for your argument in a clear and organized manner
- Connection to Book: Connect and integrate your argument with ideas from the book in a complex and deep manner.
Submission Process: Please email your essay file (.doc, .pdf, etc.) to cee@sandiego.edu.
Mixed Media Guidelines
Artwork Theme
Artwork can be in any mixed media format (i.e. painting, poem, podcast, video, etc.). With a specific message in mind, consider a current social justice issue with direct relationship and connection to issues raised by the content and/or context of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America. Submissions may be individually or group authored (if group authored, authors will split prize amount).
Artwork Rules
- Artwork must be complemented by a short description of how/why the artwork represents a social justice issue stemming from your reading of the book.
- Entries due: Friday, May 7th, 2021.
- Entries will be judged by select faculty and administrators involved with USD Just Read!
Judging Criteria
Artwork that meets the Submission Requirement will be scored on the four criteria listed below.
- Significance: Relay the significance of the social issue you choose stemming from your reading of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America.
- Social Justice Principles: Creatively incorporate social justice principles that are relevant and important to your argument/message.
- Strength of Argument: In your artwork description provide supportive evidence (e.g., personal narrative, scholarly sources) for your argument in a clear and organized manner.
- Connection to Book: Connect and integrate your argument/message with ideas from the book in a complex and deep manner.
Submission Process: Please email your essay file (.doc, .pdf, etc.) to cee@sandiego.edu.