Essay For Humanities

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Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic
choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source material
written by major authors. Read the selections  as identified with each topic
below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words minimum) which
analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. 

Topic Choices

  • Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV).
    Descartes begins with a  proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of
    something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of
    realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the
    Discourse on the Method located at http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/descartes1637.pdf
    (then scroll down to Part 4, pp. 14-18). This is only four or five (4 or 5)
    pages of the larger work.
  • Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize
    the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult
    and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned.
    You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A
    Modest Proposal located at http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html. 
  • Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these
    readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking
    for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp.
    840-841 in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp.
    824-825.

For the reading selection you choose:

  1. Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you
    selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there
    were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come
    at the end.
  2. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the
    validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you
    expected. 

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; citations and references must follow APA Style format.
    Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can
    find APA style materials located in the Additional Resources section of their
    Student Center within their course shell for reference)
  • 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 assignment page length.
  • Use the source(s) identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the
    main primary source of that author. You may use additional sources also if they
    are of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar websites
    do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a matching APA
    style References list at the end.  

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 from the
    Renaissance to the contemporary period. 
  • 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.