Writers Den

Assignment 2: Project Paper –Comparative
Essay

Due Week
8 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 (seehttp://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 (seehttp://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 (athttp://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html )
and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (athttp://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 athttp://www.humanistictexts.org/lucretius.htm andhttp://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.

Clickhere to view the
grading rubric.

Description:HUM111 Week 8 Assignment 2: Project Paper – Comparative Essay

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List View

	Unacceptable 0- 59% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	Fair 70-79% C	Proficient 80-89% B	Exemplary 90-100% A
HUM111-A2-1 1. The level to which the instructions were followed.	Points Range:0(0%) – 17.7(8.85%) Did not submit or incompletely followed instructions.	Points Range:18(9%) – 20.7(10.35%) Insufficiently followed instructions.	Points Range:21(10.5%) – 23.7(11.85%) Partially followed instructions.	Points Range:24(12%) – 26.7(13.35%) Satisfactorily followed instructions.	Points Range:27(13.5%) – 30(15%) Thoroughly followed instructions.
HUM111-A2-2 2. The establishment of a clear thesis and the extent to which all parts in the topic were addressed.	Points Range:0(0%) – 23.6(11.8%) Did not submit or incompletely established a thesis or address all parts in the topic.	Points Range:24(12%) – 27.6(13.8%) Insufficiently established a thesis or addressed all parts in the topic.	Points Range:28(14%) – 31.6(15.8%) Partially established a thesis and addressed all parts in the topic.	Points Range:32(16%) – 35.6(17.8%) Satisfactorily established a clear thesis and addressed all parts in the topic.	Points Range:36(18%) – 40(20%) Thoroughly established a clear thesis and addressed all parts in the topic.
HUM111-A2-3 3. The adequacy of information, specific examples, and details which support the general thesis.	Points Range:0(0%) – 23.6(11.8%) Did not submit or incompletely provided adequate information, specific examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Points Range:24(12%) – 27.6(13.8%) Insufficiently provided adequate information, specific examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Points Range:28(14%) – 31.6(15.8%) Partially provided adequate information, specific examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Points Range:32(16%) – 35.6(17.8%) Satisfactorily provided information, specific examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Points Range:36(18%) – 40(20%) Thoroughly provided information, specific examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.
HUM111-A2-4 4. The coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with relevant content and persuasive presentation.	Points Range:0(0%) – 23.6(11.8%) Did not submit or incompletely provided coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with relevant content and persuasive presentation.	Points Range:24(12%) – 27.6(13.8%) Insufficiently provided coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with relevant content and persuasive presentation.	Points Range:28(14%) – 31.6(15.8%) Partially provided coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with relevant content and persuasive presentation.	Points Range:32(16%) – 35.6(17.8%) Satisfactorily provided coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with relevant content and persuasive presentation.	Points Range:36(18%) – 40(20%) Thoroughly provided coherent organization of the points of comparison and the paper overall, with very relevant content and persuasive presentation.
HUM111-A2-5 5. 3 references minimum number and quality	Points Range:0(0%) – 5.9(2.95%) No references provided	Points Range:6(3%) – 6.9(3.45%) Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.	Points Range:7(3.5%) – 7.9(3.95%) Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.	Points Range:8(4%) – 8.9(4.45%) Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.	Points Range:9(4.5%) – 10(5%) Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.
HUM111-A2-6 6. Clarity, writing mechanics, referencing, and APA formatting requirements, including a reference list and matching in-text citations.	Points Range:0(0%) – 23.6(11.8%) More than 8 errors present and problems of clarity and mechanics and proper APA formatting.	Points Range:24(12%) – 27.6(13.8%) 7-8 errors present and some problems of clarity and mechanics and proper APA formatting.	Points Range:28(14%) – 31.6(15.8%) 5-6 errors present and few problems of clarity and mechanics and proper APA formatting.	Points Range:32(16%) – 35.6(17.8%) 3-4 errors present but generally good clarity and good mechanics and APA formatting.	Points Range:36(18%) – 40(20%) 0-2 errors present and excellent clarity and mechanics and APA formatting.