HIST15 Indicators of civilizational development

Humanities

Task: Choose one of the following options and answer it with a formal essay of about three (no more than four) double-spaced pages. Be sure that your essay has a thesis statement and effective topic sentences starting each body paragraph – you should think of these as sub theses. You must use examples to support your ideas.

This assignment will help you develop the skill of using evidence from the past to answer questions that the authors of the available sources did not directly answer.

DO NOT pursue any outside research or try to Google an answer.

Option 1: Find and analyze at least one act of agency from one primary source reading from week 2 (Robert Marks is not a primary source) and at least one act of agency from a primary source reading from week3. Describe the key preconditions and conjunctures that you can find evidence for in the reading that the act of agency was contingent upon (this might include constraints to the agency). Use these examples as case studies to create an overall argument about historical contingency.

Option 2: Using one of the primary source readings from week 2 (Robert Marks is not a primary source) and one of the primary source readings from week 3, what does each author see as the most important markers (indicators) of civilizational development? How do their markers differ, and what does that tell you about their own perspectives? Be sure to answer all parts of the question and create an overall argument comparing your findings for both sources.

Citing: You must refer directly to the readings, use page numbers for ALL evidence and quotations, provide a reference list (if using parenthetical referencing) or footnotes.

PLAGIARISM INCLUDES PARAPHRASING (putting other people’s ideas or information into your own words without citations). Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and your case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Your TA will work with you on how to cite properly. Learning how to cite properly is an important part of this course. Citations provide prove that you are not making up, misusing, or stealing material from your sources. Citations there by give your voice authority–citations make you look smarter, not dumber.

Helpful Hints: Keep in mind that this is not a test of right and wrong answers. Be creative and concise. Revise, revise, revise and proofread carefully.

SubmittingYourWork: Follow the formatting requirements on the syllabus. Be sure to include you TA’s name and your section. Submit your paper in hard copy in lecture AND via the iLearn website Safe Assignment function for your section.