This document outlines an assignment for a comparative essay on topics discussed in a HUM 111 class. Students must write a 3-4 page paper comparing two topics of their choice, using at least three academic sources. The paper should follow a point-by-point comparison structure, draw conclusions about the cultural differences of the topics, and suggest lessons for the modern world. The assignment provides detailed guidelines and is due in Week 8.

1. Assignment 2: Project Paper – Comparative Essay
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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

2. 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. 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/gilg
amesh/; 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

3. 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.
 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.humani
stictexts.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.

4. 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.

5.  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.