Augustus Caesar

istory is a vast mosaic of stories. Some pieces stand out, but all the pieces are important in producing the whole effect.

You will select a topic and write a brief essay describing and explaining something or someone that illustrates or represents one of the world cultural systems covered in the class. This can include discussion of sacred texts (the Bhagavad Gita or the Quran), national sagas (El Cid or the Mahabharata) or political leaders (Augustus Caesar or Qin Shi-huang-ti or Ashoka) or some other kind of object (the Islamic minaret or the Mayan calendar) or an institution (the Shogunate of Japan) or a particular site (Great Zimbabwe, Macchu Pichu, or the Great Pyramid of Giza). These are just some suggestions of topics, but you are free to follow your own interests in selecting one. I am happy to discuss the options and help narrow things down. Your paper should be both descriptive and analytical – that is, you should be answering a question or explaining an event or development. A good research paper always has a clear thesis statement and then presents the information that makes the case. We will spend some time in class talking about the writing process.
The paper should be four pages in length. It should be typed, double spaced, with standard one-inch margins all around. There is no need for a title page—just put your name and date in the top right corner of the first page.

If you quote material from a book (or any other source for that matter) you will need to supply a footnote. To do so is no reflection on your creativity as a writer. It is good academic manners to acknowledge both the direct sources of quotations as well as the less direct, less visible sources that inform one’s thinking about a subject. But it is more than just good manners; failure to properly cite one’s sources opens one to suspicions of plagiarism, a serious academic offense and one which would compel your instructor to fail you. At the very least, an undocumented paper will be penalized in the grading. I will be happy to answer any questions about correct footnote citations.

Grading Rubric:
A: main ideas well represented with solid detail as evidence. A grade in the “A ” range will be given to efforts that exhibit the basic ideas or information asked for plus demonstrate a recognition of any exceptions plus an understanding of the details. They must also be well-organized and well-written: the thesis and the evidence clearly presented and documented.
B: main ideas asked for covered, but with less detail in evidence or detail simply recited without analysis. Essay still must be well organized and well-written in order to receive a “B”.
C: main ideas asked for shown, but with less substantial detail in evidence. Fair organization of material and fair writing will get a grade of “C.”.
D: main ideas or information missing or vaguely stated. Lack of evidence, poor organization and cut & paste writing will result in a grade of “D.”

F: main ideas missing, lack of detail, poor writing and organization. Also, any paper lacking proper citations of sources – suggesting plagiarism – may receive a grade of F.