Assignment 1: Essay Due Week 4 and worth 100 points Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen. Topic Choices: There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated.  No one can say for certain what happened to the Mayan people, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization. Tutankhamen died young, at around 18 years of age. However, his cause of death has not been confirmed. Did he die of an injury, of illness, or was he murdered? Considered the “Mummy’s Curse,” a series of unexplainable, unfortunate, or tragic events that happened to the people who were present at the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb.  There has always been debate about the identity of the poet Homer, the presumed author of The Illiad and The Odyssey . Was he a real person or not? The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding. It is believed that the workers were forced to remain inside the tomb when it was walled shut so they would not reveal the secrets of its construction. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate burial place? Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric Write a 3-4 paragraph paper in which you: Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc. Identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook. 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. 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 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 assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated w.

1. Assignment 1: Essay
Due Week 4 and worth 100 points
Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four
(3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which
adequately address the topic you have chosen.
Topic Choices:
There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at
Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were
constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these
ancient people constructed monuments of such great size
without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being
debated.
No one can say for certain what happened to the Mayan people,
but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to
explain the abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan
civilization.
Tutankhamen died young, at around 18 years of age. However,
his cause of death has not been confirmed. Did he die of an
injury, of illness, or was he murdered?
Considered the “Mummy’s Curse,” a series of unexplainable,
unfortunate, or tragic events that happened to the people who
were present at the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb.
There has always been debate about the identity of the poet
Homer, the presumed author of
The Illiad
and
The Odyssey
. Was he a real person or not?
The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of
Shihuangdi is astounding. It is believed that the workers were

2. forced to remain inside the tomb when it was walled shut so
they would not reveal the secrets of its construction. What was
the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate burial place?
Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor
and supported by the grading rubric
Write a 3-4 paragraph paper in which you:
Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at
least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could
explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-
fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as
a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
Identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and
provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you
have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.
Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook.
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.
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 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 assignment page length.

3. 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.