Make-Up Assignments for HUM 120/PHL 230 Papers

 

Please note that if you failed to hand in paper #10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, we will still accept a paper written on the original topic. 

 

1. View the film Troy and develop an interesting thesis comparing the theme of the film or the characterizations in the film to those in the Iliad. (Suitable for replacing 1 or 3)
   
    
2. Is Socrates putting forth different positions on pleasure and the good in the Protagorus and in the Gorgias?  Why might someone argue this is the case?  Defend your view on this question. (Suitable for replacing 2 or 4)
   
    
3. In what ways is Boethius a Platonist?  In what ways is he not a Platonist?  Consider both ethical and epistemological/metaphysical questions.  Make explicit reference to relevant dialogues of Plato. (Suitable for replacing 2 or 4)
   
    
4. How are the values that are implicitly advocated in the Aeneid different from those in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad.  Develop and defend a thesis. (Suitable for replacing 1, 3, 5, or 8)
   
    
5. Develop an interesting comparison of Prometheus and Job. (Suitable for replacing 3 or 9)
   
    
6. Your humanities text tells us that “the West adopted the cultural ideal of interweaving Christianity and Classical humanism.”  (169)  Are there any reasons to believe that this interweaving might be very difficult?  Develop an interesting thesis in which you present one or more difficulties.  If you believe it is possible to overcome the difficulties that you have described, you may want to go on to explain this as well. (Suitable for replacing 5 or 9)
   
    
7. Aristotle claims that human are political by nature.  Explain how nature functions as both a limit concept and an evaluative concept in Aristotle’s discussion of the political nature of humans and the naturalness of the polis.  If you disagree with Aristotle, develop a criticism that slows a flaw in his argumentation.  If you agree with Aristotle, develop what you would view as an interesting criticism, and answer this criticism. (Suitable for replacing 6)
   
    
8. Explain why the education of youth is a necessary function of the polis for Aristotle, and what the content and purpose of this education is supposed to be. In particular, consider why Aristotle insists that music is an essential element in a complete education. (Suitable for replacing 6)
   
    
9. Using the story of Cupid and Psyche told in The Golden Ass, compare and evaluate the “ethic” implicit in Apuleius’ tale with the ethics developed by Epicurus.  Make sure you determine at least three strong points of similarity or difference. (Suitable for replacing 7 or 8)
   
   If you have a proposal about another make-up topic, see us for approval before you write it.