Final Paper

Write a five to six-page essay on the following topic: What are the humanities and how are they relevant to our lives?  Illustrate your discussion with reference to one specific ancient/medieval text assigned in this class and explain its relevance to modern society. Explain the text using one of the frameworks we explored in this class (i.e., myth, philosophy, religion, or literature). You should refer to at least two secondary sources, but note that this is not a research paper. You should be able to complete the paper drawing only from the required and recommended resources included in this course. (See the Week One Resources tab for information on how to cite sources in this class.)

Your paper should be outlined as follows:

In your introduction include a clear definition of the humanities and a concise summary of their relevance for our lives. (No more than one page)
In your next paragraph, explain the methodology you will use to illustrate your claim about the humanities. State which text you will use and which humanities framework you will use to analyze your chosen text. Give a very brief summary of that framework, making sure to explain why it is considered part of the humanities, what distinguishes it from other humanities disciplines, and why it is a good framework for interpreting your chosen text. (No more than one page)
Give an interpretation of your chosen text using the specific framework you selected, focusing primarily on the aspects of the text that are relevant to life in modern society. You may need to summarize some aspects of your chosen text before trying to explain its relevance, but your discussion should be primarily analysis rather than mere summary. In other words, explain the meaning of the text from your framework’s point of view, not just what the text says or what happens in the plot. (No more than three pages)
In conclusion, summarize how your chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities you stated in your introduction and also how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as you summarized it in your introduction. (No more than one page)

The Final Paper

Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must use at least two scholarly sources in addition to the primary text you are analyzing.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.