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Assignment 1: Essay
Due Week 4 and worth 100 points

Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen.

Topic Choices:

• There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated. 
• No one can say for certain what happened to the Mayan people, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
• Tutankhamen died young, at around 18 years of age. However, his cause of death has not been confirmed. Did he die of an injury, of illness, or was he murdered?
• Considered the “Mummy’s Curse,” a series of unexplainable, unfortunate, or tragic events that happened to the people who were present at the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb. 
• There has always been debate about the identity of the poet Homer, the presumed author of The Illiad and The Odyssey. Was he a real person or not?
• The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding. It is believed that the workers were forced to remain inside the tomb when it was walled shut so they would not reveal the secrets of its construction. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate burial place?
• Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

Write a 3-4 paragraph paper in which you:

1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
2. Identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.
3. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook. Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference)
• Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

• Points: 100	Assignment 1: Essay
  Criteria	  Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	  Fair 70-79% C	  Proficient 80-89% B	  Exemplary 90-100% A
  1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc. Weight: 40%	Did not submit or incompletely stated the “mystery”. Did not submit or incompletely provided a brief summary of at least two reasonable and scholarly (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Did not submit or incompletely  included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Insufficiently stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two reasonable and scholarly (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Insufficiently  included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Partially stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two reasonable and scholarly (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Partially  included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Satisfactorily stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two reasonable and scholarly (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Satisfactorily  included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Thoroughly stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two reasonable and scholarly (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Thoroughly  included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
  2. Identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausibleand provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. Weight: 35%	Did not submit or incompletely identified one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and did not submit or incompletely provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Insufficiently identified one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and insufficiently provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Partially identified one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and partially provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Satisfactorily identified one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and satisfactorily provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Thoroughly identified one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and thoroughly provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.
  3.  2 references minimum  (besides class text)– number and quality Weight: 5%	No references provided	Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.	Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.	Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.	Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.
  4. Clarity, writing mechanics, referencing, and APA formatting requirements, including a reference list and matching in-text citations  Weight: 20%	More than 8 errors present	7-8 errors present	5-6 errors present	3-4 errors present	0-2 errors present