Write an essay (of roughly 5-6 pp. or 1500-1800 words) that explores an issue relevant to something you’ve read in this course. You should do three things

and, in doing these, you should

Previous assignments have included things like the elements (i)-(iii) above and the additional requirements (a) and (b), but I can say a little more about how these fit together in the case of this assignment. As on the last ungraded assignment, your explanation of the issue—i.e., element (i)—should include a discussion of its relevance to the topics we’ve discussed in the course. The position whose defense you present—i.e., element (ii)—may be one you hold, but it need not be. Finally, the exposition of the passage required in (a) may serve you in any of several ways—e.g., to help set up the issue you will discuss, to present the defense of a position on it, or to provide an objection to this position.

This paper places its main emphasis on your thinking about an issue, and you should plan what you write accordingly. That is, while your presentation of a position and its defense may involve an exposition of material you have read, the paper should not be focused on the description of others’ views. It will be easiest to think about the paper as concerning the issue (rather than the description of someone’s views) if either the position you present or the objection to it represents your own views; but it is certainly possible to present views on two sides of a dispute, neither of which are your own, without having the description of the views of a particular person as your main aim.

Perhaps I should emphasize two things I consider in evaluating papers that are more likely to be an issue on this paper than on previous ones. First, a variety of considerations in favor of the position you defend will count for less than a deeper consideration of a few or even just one. Also, be careful to give a fair and accurate account of the passage you consider even if it stands opposed to the position you defend.

Various sorts of requirements and advice given for previous assignments apply here, too (and remember that those assignments are still available on the website). For example, your exposition of a passage—i.e., requirement (a)—should be a description of the passage designed to suit the topic you are addressing and the space you have available. Also, be sure to give a full reference for this passage and any other specific locations in the text, or other sources, that you discuss; you can expect me to refuse to accept your paper until you do that.

While I’d be happy to accept this paper in hard copy, it is more convenient for me to receive work electronically; and, since I haven’t set up the course Canvas site for assignments, that means using e-mail—my address is helmang@wabash.edu.:

helmang@wabash.edu