Arab Open University Difference Blind Liberalism & Cultural Identity Report Format and Word Count: The student’s work should be presented in an ESSAY of a

Arab Open University Difference Blind Liberalism & Cultural Identity Report Format and Word Count:

The student’s work should be presented in an ESSAY of around 1200 words.

Referencing:

The essay should include a list of references (print and electronic) at the end in addition to in-

text referencing as per the requirements of the Harvard Referencing System. Proper referencing

is a serious academic requirement and skill and will be rewarded accordingly.

Writing and Discussion Topic:

Difference-blind liberalism implies that justice is a matter of treating everyone equally,

regardless of their cultural identity. But the rule and exemption approach involves treating

members of cultural minorities differently. Hence, a difference-blind liberal will object that the

rule and exemption approach is unjust.

The arts Past and Present Book 3 Cultural Encounters p. 106

Western countries that are professedly “liberal” have been grappling with finding the “fairest”

way to deal with minorities, refugees and underrepresented groups. With the intensification of

global human movement and resettlement, the issue of safeguarding rights to all groups within

society has become pressing. Finding the “right” approach is not easy and implementing

policies that reflect the approach deemed “fairest” is even more difficult. How does liberalism

approach the issue of refugees/migrants/underrepresented groups and their

reception/integration within “liberal” societies?

In the process of answering the TMA, you should make sure to include the below five-seven sub

questions:

1) How does liberalism view human rights? Are these rights “universal”?

2) How does liberalism justify “discrimination”? On what grounds?

3) How does the “rule and exemption approach” approach the issue?

4) How does the “autonomy argument” approach the issue?

5) How does the “unequal impact argument” approach the issue?

6) How does the “argument by analogy” approach the issue?

7) How does the argument by Margalit and Raz approach the issue?

Guidance on Addressing the Topic:

Before you embark on writing the essay, you need to read carefully Book 3 Cultural Encounters

in order to familiarize yourself with the topic at large and make use of the skills presented in the

book when writing your essay. You are strongly advised to consult sources on the topic and

widen your knowledge of the topic under consideration, but it is of the utmost importance to

document any words or ideas that are not your own. Once you have the material ready, it is

advisable that you follow the steps (1-8) indicated in the section above to avoid omitting sub-

questions. Although the topic is most relevant to Unit 3, you should demonstrate your

knowledge of the complexity of the concept of cultural encounters as presented in the all the

units to draw lessons and examples from them if need be, and not model your treatment solely

after a particular treatment appearing in a single unit.

Note on the PT3 Form:

The tutor’s comments that appear here on the PT3 form and on the script of the student’s TMA

should be taken seriously by the student as mentioned in the Course Guide.