Assignment 2: Project Paper – Comparative Essay http://homeworktimes.com/downloads/assignment-2-project-paper-comparative-essay/

1. Assignment 2: Project Paper – Comparative Essay
http://homeworktimes.com/downloads/assignment-2-project-paper-comparative-essay/
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:Wikipediaand other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

2. 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 theEpic 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 ofThe
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(athttp://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html ) and
Aristotle’sNicomachean 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.

3.  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.htmand http://www.humanistictexts.org/wang
chung.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.

4. 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.

5. 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