HUM 111 – World Cultures I Assignment 1: Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries 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 great urban Mayan civilization, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the relatively abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.  Tutankhamen died young, at approximately eighteen (18) years of age. However, his cause of death has been the subject of quite varied scholarly theories and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of murder, or something else?.  Minoan Crete was a major civilization in its time, but several theories have been advanced to explain its demise, including speculations associating it with mythical Atlantis. What were the causes of Minoan Civilization's decline?  Great Zimbabwe is an enormous complex of structures in East Africa. Since the builders and occupants left no written records, several theories have developed as to the identity of its builders and the functions of the structures. Which theory makes the most sense?  The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding, yet its location and construction details were to be kept secret. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?  Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you: 1. 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. 2. After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly theories, 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. This will involve some critical reasoning skills on your part. 3. Use at least two (2) sources plus the class textbook. (Three [3] sources total as the minimum) 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 Ne ...

1. HUM 111 – World Cultures I
Assignment 1: Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries
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
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.
Mayan
civilization, but theories abound and include varied possible

2. alternatives to
explain the relatively abrupt and mysterious disappearance of
the Mayan
civilization.
years of age.
However, his cause of death has been the subject of quite varied
scholarly
theories and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of
murder, or
something else?.
theories have
been advanced to explain its demise, including speculations
associating it with
mythical Atlantis. What were the causes of Minoan
Civilization's decline?
Africa. Since the
builders and occupants left no written records, several theories
have developed
as to the identity of its builders and the functions of the
structures. Which

3. theory makes the most sense?
Shihuangdi is astounding,
yet its location and construction details were to be kept secret.
What was the
emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?
professor and supported
by the grading rubric.
Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you:
1. 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.
2. After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly theories,
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. This
will involve some critical reasoning skills on your part.

4. 3. Use at least two (2) sources plus the class textbook. (Three
[3] sources total as
the minimum) 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:
12), with one-
inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow
APA style
format. 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. (Note: Students can find APA style
materials located in
the course shell for guidance).
the student’s name,
the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover

5. page and the
reference page are not included in the required assignment page
length. For our
purposes, you may omit any abstract page.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this
assignment are:
and artistic contributions
contribute to
historical changes.
artistic expressions
within a historical context.
and socio-economic
forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
during the eras of
antiquity to the Renaissance
in the study of
world cultures.

6. writing
mechanics.
Click here to view the grading rubric.
https://blackboard.strayer.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/HUM/111
/1154/Week4/Week%204%20Assignment%201%20Grading%20
Rubric.html
Points: 100 Assignment 1: Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries
Criteria
Unacceptable
Below 60% F
Meets Minimum
Expectations
60-69% D
Fair

7. 70-79% C
Proficient
80-89% B
Exemplary
90-100% A
1. 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

8. promoter of each
theory – such as a
scientist, a historian,
a theologian, etc.
Weight: 40%
Did not submit or
incompletely stated the
“mystery”. Did not
submit or incompletely
provided a brief
summary of at least
two (2) reasonable and
scholarly theories
which could explain
the mystery. Did not
submit or
incompletely included
the source or promoter

9. of each theory – such
as a scientist, a
historian, a theologian,
etc.
Insufficiently stated the
“mystery” and
insufficiently provided
a brief summary of at
least two (2) reasonable
and scholarly theories
which could explain
the mystery.
Insufficiently included
the source or promoter
of each theory – such
as a scientist, a
historian, a theologian,
etc.

10. Partially stated the
“mystery” and
partially provided
a brief summary
of at least two (2)
reasonable and
scholarly theories
which could
explain the
mystery.
Partially included
the source or
promoter of each
theory – such as a
scientist, a
historian, a
theologian, etc.
Satisfactorily stated the

11. “mystery” and
satisfactorily provided
a brief summary of at
least two (2)
reasonable and
scholarly theories
which could explain
the mystery.
Satisfactorily included
the source or promoter
of each theory – such
as a scientist, a
historian, a theologian,
etc.
Thoroughly stated the
“mystery” and
effectively provided a
brief summary of at

12. least two (2)
reasonable and
scholarly theories
which could explain
the mystery.
Thoroughly included
the source or
promoter of each
theory – such as a
scientist, a historian,
a theologian, etc.
2. Identify one (1) of
the theories as the
most plausible and
provide at least two
(2) convincing
reasons why the
theory you have

13. chosen is the best
one to explain the
mystery.
Weight: 35%
Did not submit or
incompletely identified
one (1) of the theories
as the most plausible
and did not submit or
incompletely provided
at least two (2)
convincing reasons
why the theory you
have chosen is the best
one to explain the
mystery.
Insufficiently identified
one (1) of the theories

14. as the most plausible
and insufficiently
provided at least two
(2) convincing reasons
why the theory you
have chosen is the best
one to explain the
mystery.
Partially identified
one (1) of the
theories as the
most plausible and
partially provided
at least two (2)
convincing
reasons why the
theory you have
chosen is the best

15. one to explain the
mystery.
Satisfactorily identified
one (1) of the theories
as the most plausible
and satisfactorily
provided at least two
(2) convincing reasons
why the theory you
have chosen is the best
one to explain the
mystery.
Thoroughly identified
one (1) of the theories
as the most plausible
and thoroughly
provided at least two
(2) convincing

16. reasons why the
theory you have
chosen is the best one
to explain the
mystery.
3. Three (3)
references
minimum (including
class text) number
and quality
Weight: 5%
No references provided Does not meet the
required number of
references; all
references poor quality
choices.
Does not meet the
required number

17. of references;
some references
poor quality
choices.
Meets number of
required references; all
references high quality
choices.
Exceeds number of
required references;
all references high
quality choices.
4. Clarity, writing
mechanics,
referencing, and
APA formatting
requirements,
including a reference

18. list and matching in-
text citations.
Weight: 20%
More than 8 errors
present
7-8 errors present 5-6 errors present 3-4 errors present 0-2
errors present