Aristotelian sample essay

Petition to Waive the University Mathematics Requirement

By Gordon Adams, Arizona State University Student

Standards Committee Members,

[1] I am a 43-year-old member of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and a very

nontraditional student currently pursuing Justice Studies at the Arizona State

University (ASU) College of Public Programs. I entered college as the first step toward

completion of my goal becoming legal counsel for my tribe, and statesman.

[2] I come before this committee in good faith to request that ASU suspend, in my

special case, its mathematics requirement for undergraduate degree completion so I

may enter the ASU College of Law during Fall 1993. The point I wish to make to this

committee is this: I do not need algebraic skills; I will never use algebra in my intended

profession; and, if forced to comply with ASU’s algebra requirement, I will be

needlessly preventing from graduating in time to enter law school next fall and face an

idle academic year before my next opportunity in 1994. I will address each of these

points in turn, but a few words concerning my academic credentials are in order first.

[3] Two years ago, I made a vow of moral commitment to seek out and confront

injustice. In September of 1990, I enrolled in college. Although I had only the benefit of a

ninth grade education, I took the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination and

placed in the top ten percent of those, nationwide, who took the test. On the basis of this

score I was accepted into Scottsdale Community College (SCC). This step made me the

first in my entire family, and practically in my tribe, to enter college. During my first

year at SCC I maintained a 4.0 GPA, I was placed on the President’s list twice, was

active in the Honors Program, received the Honors Award of Merit in English

Humanities, and was conferred an Honors Scholarship (see attached) for the Academic

year of 1991-1992 which I declined, opting to enroll in ASU instead.

[4] At the beginning of the 1991 summer semester, I transferred to ASU. I chose to

graduate from ASU because of the courses offered in American Indian studies, an

important field ignored by most other Universities but necessary to my commitment. At

ASU I currently maintain a 3.6 GPA, although my cumulative GPA is closer to 3.9. I am

a member of the Honors and Justice Colleges, was appointed to the Dean’s List, and

awarded ASU’s prestigious Maroon and Gold Scholarship twice. My academic standing

is impeccable. I will enter the ASU College of Law to study Indian and criminal law

during the Fall of 1993 if this petition is approved. Upon successful completion of my

juris doctorate I will return to Oklahoma to become active in the administration of

Pawnee tribal affairs as tribal attorney and advisor, and vigorously prosecute our right

to sovereignty before the Congress of the United States.

[5] When I began my “college experience,” I set a rigid time schedule for the

completion of my goal. By the terms of that self-imposed schedule, founded in my belief

that I have already wasted many productive years, I allowed myself thirty-five months

in which to achieve my Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies, for indeed justice

is my concern, and another thirty-six months in which to earn my juris doctorate

summa cum laude. Consistent with my approach to all endeavors, I fell upon this task

with zeal. I have willingly assumed the burden of carrying substantial academic loads

during fall, spring and summer semesters. My problem now lies in the fact that in order

to satisfy the University’s math requirement to graduate I must still take MAT-106 and

MAT-117. I submit that these mathematics courses are irrelevant to my goals, and

present a barrier to my fall matriculation into law school.

[6] Upon consideration of my dilemma, the questions emerged: Why do I need

college algebra (MAT-117)? Is college algebra necessary for studying American Indian

law? Will I use college algebra in my chosen field? What will the University gain or

lose, from my taking college algebra or not? I decided I should resolve these questions.

[7] I began my inquiry with the question: “Why do I need college algebra (MAT-

117)?” I consulted Mr. Jim ____ of the Justice College and presented this question to

him. He referred to the current ASU catalog and delineated the following answer: I

need college algebra (1) for a minimum level of math competency in my chosen field,

and (2) to satisfy the university math requirement in order to graduate. My reply to the

first answer is this: I already possess ample math skills, both practical and academic;

and, I have no need for algebra in my chosen field. How do I know this? During the

spring 1992 semester at ASU I successfully completed introductory algebra (MAT-077),

scoring the highest class grade on one test (see attached transcript and test). More

noteworthy is the fact that I was a machine and welding contractor for fifteen years. I

used geometry and algebra commonly in the design of many welded structures. I am

proficient in the use of Computer Assisted Design (CAD) programs, designing and

drawing all my own blueprints for jobs. My blueprints and designs are always

approved by city planning departments. For example, my most recent job consisted of

the manufacture, transportation and installation of one linear mile of anodized,

aluminum hand-railing at a luxury resort condo on Maui, Hawaii. I applied extensive

use of math to calculate the amount of raw materials to order, the logistics of mass

production and transportation for both men and materials from Mesa to Maui, the job

site installation itself, and cash flow. I have successfully completed many jobs of this

nature all without a mathematical hitch. As to the application of math competency in

my chosen field, I can guarantee this committee that there will not be a time in my

practice of Indian law that I will need algebra. If an occasion ever occurs that I need

algebra, I will hire a mathematician, just as I would engineer if I need engineering, or a

surgeon if I need an operation.

[8] I then contacted Dr. _____ of the ASU Mathematics Department and presented

him with the same question: “Why do I need college algebra?” He replied: (1) for a

wellrounded education; (2) to develop creative thinking; and (3) to satisfy the university

math requirement in order to graduate. Responding to the first answer I have a “wellrounded

education.” My need is for a specific education in justice and American Indian

law. In fact, I do not really need the degree to practice Indian law as representative of

my tribe, just the knowledge. Regarding the second, I do not need to develop my

creative thinking. It has been honed to a keen edge for many years. For example, as a

steel contractor, I commonly create huge, beautiful and intricate structures from raw

materials. Contracting is not my only experience in creative thinking. For twenty-five

years I have also enjoyed the status of being one of this country’s foremost designers

and builders of race bikes. Machines I have designed and brought into existence from

my imagination have topped some of Japan and Europe’s best engineering efforts. To

illustrate this point, in 1984 I rode a bike of my own design to an international victory

over Honda, Suzuki, Laverda, BMW and Yamaha. I have excelled at creative thinking

my entire life. I called it survival.

[9] Expanding on the question of why I need college algebra, I contacted a few

friends who are practicing attorneys. All responded to my question in similar manner.

One, Mr. Billy _____, Esq., whose law firm is in Tempe, answered my two questions as

follows: “When you attended law school, were there any courses you took which

required algebra?” His response was “no.” “Have you ever needed algebra during the

many years of your practice?” Again, his response was “no.” All agreed there was not a

single occasion when they had need for algebra in their professional careers.

[10] Just to make sure of my position, I contacted the ASU College of Law, and

among others, spoke to Ms. Sierra _____. I submitted the question “What law school

courses will I encounter in which I will need algebra?” The unanimous reply was, they

know of none.

[11] I am not proposing that the number of credit hours I need for graduation be

lowered. In fact, I am more than willing to substitute another course or two in its place.

I am not trying to get out of anything hard or distasteful, for that is certainly not my

style. I am seeking only to dispose of an unnecessary item in my studies, one which will

prevent me from entering law school this fall breaking my stride. So little holds up so

much.

[12] I agree that a young adult directly out of high school may not know that he

needs algebraic skills. Understandably, he does not know what his future holds but I

am not that young adult. I claim the advantage. I know precisely what my future holds

and that future holds no possibility of my needing college algebra.

[13] Physically confronting injustice is my end. On reservations where government

apathy allows rapacious pedophiles to pose as teachers; in a country where a million

and a half American Indians are held hostage as second-rate human beings whose

despair results in a suicide, alcohol and drug abuse rate second to no other people; in

prisons where helpless inmates are beaten like dogs by sadistic guards who should be

the inmates this is the realm of my chosen field the disenfranchised. In this

netherworld, algebra and justice exist independently of one another.

[14] In summary, I am convinced that I do not need college algebra for a minimum

level of math competency in my chosen field. I do not need college algebra for a well

rounded education, nor to develop my creative thinking. I do not need algebra to take

the LSAT. I do not need algebra for any courses in law school, nor will I for any purpose

in the practice of American Indian law. It remains only that I need college algebra in

order to graduate.

[15] I promise this committee that ASU’s integrity will not be compromised in any

way by approving this waiver. Moreover, I assure this committee that despite not

having a formal accreditation in algebra, I will prove to be nothing less than an asset to

this University and its Indian community, both to which I belong, and I will continue to

set a standard for integrity, excellence and perseverance for all who follow. Therefore, I

ask this committee, for all the reasons described above, to approve and initiate the

waiver of my University mathematics requirement.

[signed]

Gordon Adams