World Cultures Assignment 2

The Project Paper focuses on a suggested
topic related to art, architecture, history, music, or literature. The project
will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is
designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities to be the creative,
innovative, and critical thinker you already are! 

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 responds to each of the items described in the
topic.

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. Support your ideas with specific,
   illustrative examples. If there are questions or points associated with your
   chosen topic, be sure to answer all of the listed questions and address all of
   the items in that topic. If your topic requires you to do several things related
   to the topic, be sure to do each of the things listed.
2. While some of the topics tend to lend
   themselves toward particular writing genres, you are not restricted to the
   specific format suggested for the individual topic. For example, you may do an
   “interview,” a “proposal,” a “letter,” a “short story,” a “blog,” an “essay,” an
   “article,” or any other written genre for almost any of the topics. The project
   is intended to be fun as well as informative, so feel free to be creative with
   the delivery of your information.
3. 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 quality as academic
   resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top
   of your Blackboard page.

Topic choices (pick 1):

• Self-Portraits. Journal. The
  Renaissance artists Titian, Rembrandt, and Durer have each painted
  self-portraits. Imagine yourself as one of these artists (or another artist of
  your choice that has painted a self-portrait) and write a journal expressing
  your thoughts on “your” art (in other words, the journal entries the artist
  would probably write.) (1) Explain “your” primary reason for painting a
  self-portrait. (2) Describe “your” artistic choices in composition: use of
  color, space, etc. (3) Explain what the portrait represents about “you” (as the
  artist.) (4) Explain “your” choices of subject with regard to at least three
  other specific pieces “you” have painted.
• Ladies & Gentlemen. Survey
  & Report. Some may believe that being “gentleman” or a “lady” in
  today’s society is an outdated notion, but others may disagree. (1) Briefly
  summarize the main characteristics of a well-rounded person, “l’uomo universal,”
  referring to specific sections within the excerpt from The Courtier
  which identifies these characteristics. (2) Create a “survey” based on the
  identified characteristics and “poll” at least ten people to find out whether or
  not the characteristics are relevant for a “gentleman” or “lady” of today. (3)
  Tabulate and discuss the responses in terms of gender, age, vocation, etc. of
  your survey participants, making note of any interesting or surprising results
  which show up in your poll answers. (4) Finally, explain whether or not you
  agree with the characteristics expressed by Castiglione in The
  Courtier.
• BayeuxTapestry Experience. Letter. Imagine
  yourself as one of the figures in the battle depicted in the Bayeux
  Tapestry; in a letter home, you describe your experience to your family.
  (1) Write a first-person account of this historical event from the perspective
  of one of the figures in tapestry. (2) Use your senses to describe your
  impression of the event. (3) Describe specific elements of the scene such as
  uniforms, weaponry, fighting styles, etc. (4) Explain why you believe your side
  was justified in participating in the battle and how you would like the battle
  to be remembered.
• Ancient Emperors. Deathbed
  Memoir. Pretend you are one of the emperors we have
  studied, such as Shihuangdi, Constantine, Ashoka, or Charlemagne. You are on
  your deathbed and want to write a brief account of your life. As you look back
  over your life, what do you consider your greatest accomplishments in 1)
  politics, 2) art / architecture, and 3) religion, philosophy or intellectual
  life? Finally (4), describe and explain anything you have done for which you
  fear history will judge you harshly, or present the proudest aspects of your
  legacy.
• Other topic choice recommended 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.
2. The extent to which all four (4) parts in
   the topic were addressed.
3. The adequacy of information, examples, and
   details which support the general claim or main idea.
4. The relevance of the explanations and
   descriptions.
5. The inclusion of three (3) required
   references (two additional sources besides your textbook) documented using APA
   style.
6. Adherence to standard rules of grammar,
   punctuation, and mechanics.

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; 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 reference)
• Include a cover page containing the tile 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.

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.