Assignment week 7

Assignment 2: Project Paper – Comparative Essay

Due Week 7 and worth 200 points

This
“Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on
topics encountered in our HUM 111 class. The project will be based on
research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the
topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your
abilities as an organized, innovative, and critical thinker. If
approached properly, it should also be fun!

Choose one (1) of the
topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully.
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows
instructions and covers each part of the topic. (The title page and
References list do not get included in this word count).

Note: Your instructor may require you to submit your topic choice for approval before the end of Week 5.

For the topic you choose:

1. Establish
   a clear thesis about your topic as part of the introductory paragraph
   (often the thesis is the last thing one determines after doing the basic
   research and outline; however it will be placed in the first paragraph
   of your paper).
2. This is a comparative essay. Comparison
   approached properly will require some critical thinking on your part.
   Use a point-by-point approach for the essay. That means, if comparing
   subject A with subject B, don’t do the first half of the essay on
   subject A and then the second half on subject B–that will seem like two
   (2) separate essays and comparisons will tend to get lost. Instead, you
   should be mentioning both subjects in most of your paragraphs as you
   compare them throughout the essay. Comparisons will identify
   similarities as well as contrasts.
3. Do not try to do everything
   on your two (2) subjects. You should end up narrowing your focus to a
   few insights and issues about the subjects being compared. And, from
   those fairly specific points of comparison, you will develop a thesis
   and glean some lessons.
4. Follow closely the instructions below for your specific topic.
5. Include
   a concluding paragraph at the end. This paragraph will, in some way,
   refer back to the thesis established in your first paragraph, since now
   you have demonstrated and supported it. It may be here that you also
   include your observations relating your study to the modern workplace or
   society (see your topic). Try to finish with flair!
6. Use at least three (3) good quality academic sources, with one (1) source being the class text. Note: Wikipedia
   and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You
   are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your
   Blackboard page.

Topic Choices – Choose just one (1) of the topics below:

• Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus.
  Write an essay comparing these two (2) heroic figures from ancient
  epics of different cultures, especially focusing your analysis on the
  sources about their encounters with monsters: Gilgamesh encounters the
  monster guarding the forest, Humbaba, in Tablets 3-5 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (see http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/;
  scroll down to the Tablet links; think of “Tablet” numbers like chapter
  numbers).” Odysseus encounters Polyphemus the Cyclops in Book 9 of The Odyssey (see http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey9.html; from line 105 to the end). Your paper should:

a)
Compare Gilgamesh and Odysseus as to their heroic qualities, noting
similarities and differences, using specific examples from the epics.

b)
Summarize what this indicates about differences between ancient
Mesopotamian and Greek cultures in their ideals and expectations.

c)
From this comparison, suggest ways that current cultural ideals and
expectations shape modern notions about role models and heroes.

• Confucius and Aristotle on Virtue.
  Write an essay comparing these two (2) ancient thinkers on the concept
  of virtue or good ethical character and conduct. Stay focused on the
  issue; keep any biographical or other information short or limited. As
  much as possible, analyze their writings (in translation, of course),
  using Confucius’ Analects (at http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html ) and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (at http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html ). Your paper should:

a)
Compare the teachings of Confucius and Aristotle on what constitutes
virtue or good ethical character and conduct, noting similarities and
differences in specific ideas or emphasis.

b) Consider what your findings suggest about differences between ancient Chinese and ancient Greek culture.

c) From this comparison, suggest ideas of virtue that can apply to ethics in a modern setting, such as a diverse workplace.

• Comparing Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece.
  Write an essay comparing the way gods and humans were depicted in
  sculpture in ancient India and Greece, and identify the cultural values
  and ideals that these art works reflect in each case. Your paper should:

a) Using specific
examples, compare the way gods and people were depicted in the
sculptures of ancient India and Greece, noting similarities and
differences.

b) Identify the cultural values and ideals that these art works reflect for each society.

c)
From this comparison, suggest a modern situation of artistic expression
and the ways it reflects or counters prevailing cultural values.

• Comparing Ancient Skeptics.
  Write an essay comparing Lucretius and Wang Chong (=Wang Ch’ung),
  skeptical philosophers of ancient Rome and China. They were skeptical
  about popular religious and spiritual beliefs and widely-held
  superstitions. Lucretius was an Epicurean philosopher of Roman culture
  (Chapter 6). Wang Ch’ung was a thinker in ancient Chinese culture
  (Chapter 7). Focus your comparison on their writings as found at http://www.humanistictexts.org/lucretius.htm and http://www.humanistictexts.org/wangchung.htm#On Not Flying to Heaven. Your paper should:

a)
Using examples from their writings, compare these two (2) thinkers on
their views about specific subjects and on their approach in explaining
and expressing their skepticism.

b) From this comparison, identify popular beliefs in each culture that seem similar and those that seem different.

c)
From this comparison, suggest any modern situation in which materialist
skeptics confront spiritual and religious beliefs, and comment on the
considerations of free expression and cultural respect.

• Comparing Ancient Male Rulers.
  Take any two (2) of these rulers and write an essay comparing them:
  Ramses II, Shihuangdi, Constantine, Ashoka, Pericles, or Charlemagne.
  Select rulers from different cultures. You may also propose (for
  approval or not) a ruler not listed. Avoid lengthy quoting or lengthy
  close paraphrasing from biographical sources. Make it YOUR comparative
  analysis. Your paper should:

a)
Compare the two (2) rulers in terms of their situation and methods of
rule and their apparent ideals and practices, noting similarities and
differences. Use specific examples.

b)
Consider what your study suggests about the cultures over which they
ruled, identifying any similarities and differences between the
cultures.

c) From this comparison,
suggest lessons about different types of effective leadership in the
world of modern business and / or modern politics.

• Comparing Ancient Female Rulers.
  Compare the Tang Empress Wu Zetian (also known as Empress Wu or as Wu
  Zhao; ruled China around 690-705 AD) with either the Pharaoh Cleopatra
  (ruled Egypt around 51-31 BC) or the Pharaoh Hatshepsut (ruled Egypt
  around 1478-1458 BC). You may also propose (for approval or not) a
  female ruler not listed. Avoid lengthy quoting or lengthy close
  paraphrasing from biographical sources. Make it YOUR comparative
  analysis. Your paper should:

a)
Compare the two (2) rulers in terms of their situation and ascent to
power, their methods of rule, and their achievements and
resourcefulness, noting similarities and differences. Use specific
examples.

b) Consider what your study
suggests about the cultures over which they ruled, identifying any
similarities and differences between the cultures.

c)
From this comparison, suggest lessons about different types of
effective leadership by a female in the world of modern business and /
or modern politics.

• Other topic choice using a
  comparative approach (proposed by student or instructor) and approved by
  the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

The Project Paper will be graded on:

1. The level to which the instructions were followed for the paper generally and for the specific topic.
2. The establishment of a clear thesis about your topic.
3. The adequacy and relevance of information, examples, and details which support the general thesis.
4. Covering
   each part of the topic as instructed, including the comparisons, the
   consideration of ancient cultural differences, and the reflection on
   lessons for modern society or the modern workplace.
5. The quality of your research and your persuasiveness using critical reasoning.
6. The
   use and acknowledgement of a minimum of three (3) required references
   (the class textbook plus at least two (2) other quality academic
   sources) documented using the APA style –including both the use of a
   proper References list and the use of proper in-text citations.
7. Adherence to standard rules of grammar, punctuation, paragraphing, and mechanics, and general clarity of presentation.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be
  typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with
  one-inch margins on all sides. Both in-text citations and a References
  list are required. Citations and references must follow APA style
  format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions
  specific to the selected topic. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance).
• Include
  a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s
  name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover
  page and the reference page are not included in the required page
  length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine
  the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and
  socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

Click here to view the grading rubric.

Outlines and Sample Papers

Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus. Write
an essay comparing these two (2) heroic figures from ancient epics of
different cultures, especially focusing your analysis on the sources
about their encounters with monsters: Gilgamesh encounters the monster
guarding the forest, Humbaba, in Tablets 3-5 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (see http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/;
scroll down to the Tablet links; think of “Tablet” numbers like chapter
numbers).” Odysseus encounters Polyphemus the Cyclops in Book 9 of The Odyssey(see http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey9.html; from line 105 to the end).

Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus.

Introduction

The purpose of this essay is to compare Gilgamesh and Odysseus.

The story of Gilgamesh was written The story of Odysseus was written

The reason I am writing about them is

Question 1

a-Compare
Gilgamesh and Odysseus as to their heroic qualities, noting
similarities and differences, using specific examples from the epics.
(at least two similarities and differences.

Two ways Gilgamesh and Odysseus are similar: (four to five sentences)

Two ways they are different: four to five sentence)

Question 2

b)
Summarize what this indicates about differences between ancient
Mesopotamian and Greek cultures in their ideals and expectations.

In the Ancient Mesopotamian culture they believe (two or three sentences)

In the Ancient Greek culture they believe : (two or three sentences)

Question 3

c)
From this comparison, suggest ways that current cultural ideals and
expectations shape modern notions about role models and heroes.

A example of a modern day Gilgamesh we learn: two or three sentences

An example of a modern day Odysseus we learn: two or three sentences

Conclusion

Two things I learned while writing this paper:

References

3 or more

1 Sayre, H. M. (2015). The humanities culture, continuity & change. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.