Humanities 110

Paper Topics | Spring 2014 | Paper 1

Due Saturday, February 15th 5 p.m., in your conference leader's Eliot Hall mailbox.
Length: 1,500-1,750 words

Choose one of the following questions:

1. Compare two of the following texts as forms of social, cultural, or political critique: Medea, The Clouds, The Trial and Death of Socrates. Base your comparison primarily on an assessment of the works' critical tactics but also include reflection on their effectiveness as critique.

2. Socrates instructs his listeners "to pay no attention to my manner of speech—be it better or worse—but to concentrate your attention on whether what I say is just or not, for the excellence of a judge lies in this, as that of a speaker lies in telling the truth" (21). Analyze the preoccupation with Sophistic rhetoric in two texts we have read this term. How do these texts distinguish truth from lies?  Is honesty necessarily better? 

3. In The Republic, Socrates defines justice as something that is both valued for itself and for its consequences.  Consider whether these two conditions are at odds with one another by:
   a. explaining why they could be thought incompatible
   b. elaborating a detailed response showing how Plato would counter this accusation
   c. explaining why you think Plato's response is satisfactory or unsatisfactory

4. Write your own essay topic.  If you choose this option, it is necessary to have your conference leader approve your topic before you start working on it.

In addition to consulting with your conference leader, you can get help with all stages of the writing process from peer tutors at the Writing Center. You can find links to the Writing Center hours on the Drop-in Tutoring Schedule website. Extra tutoring help will be available in the week leading up to paper due dates.