Read and annotate this scholarly article about Crime and Dante's Inferno. Write a thesis statement that clearly articulates a plan to debunk the underlying assumption of this article.
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We are entering Hell this week, so it is time to reflect upon life choices . . .
Over the next couple of weeks, we will follow Dante and the Roman poet Virgil into the depths of the Inferno: Hell. We will meet some of the denizens of Hell and will come to understand what sins Dante (and the Church) considered most vile. However, before we get there, I want to know what sin you think to be most vile. Here are some of the sins/sinners that Dante enumerates, but you may consider other "sin" if his do not seem vile enough for you: being a good person but a non-Christian, lust/adultery, gluttony (self-indulgence), greed, pride, wrath (anger/violence) and heresy (angry at God), destruction of property, suicide and spendthrift (violence against self), blasphemy (violence against God), sodomites, the fraudulent (pimps, seducers, fortune-tellers, politicians, thieves, liars, and cheats), and finally treachery (traitors against family, country, guests, lords and benefactors, etc.). You should explain the sin you think to be the most vile, provide an example of the sin, and explain why you think it is the worst thing a person could do (or not do). If no sin is graver than another, how do you reconcile how humans mete their moral judgement? (An example of this is that we are generally morally forgiving of minor transgressions, "White lies," but take much more seriously sins such as murder, lust, etc.). Is there any "universal truth"? Support your answer to this question through quoted passages from each of the different philosophical texts we have used thus far. If you are saying there is a universal truth, you must identify it and find passages from each philosophy/religion that affirm your position. If you reject a universal truth, you must show discrepancy between each philosophy (using quotes, as well). Remember: This is a conversation. Make your initial post by Wednesday at midnight. Respond to two others' posts by Friday at midnight. In what ways do the writings of Hafez meet or defy your expectations of Islamic thought? What elements strike you as consistent or inconsistent with your own understanding of Islam? Use specific quoted passages from the Rubaiyat of Hafez and from the article that contains passages from the Quran to illustrate your answers. Remember that your response should be a minimum of 200 (meaningful and intellectually stimulating discursive) words. Submissions are due by Friday at midnight, and no posts made after that time will be considered.
Please post your group's evaluation of the play. Each person must individually comment on the other group's post.
One does not need to believe in a faith in order to find good messages within its tomes. What messages from Taoism would you commit to pursue or follow in your own life, regardless of your own spiritual beliefs? If there are no ideas from the Tao that appeal to you, why not?
1. What is Gilgamesh’s greatest achievement? 2. What does this story say about the connection between love and friendship? 3. In what ways, if any, does Gilgamesh mature in this story? 4. What role or roles in the story do the women characters play? 5. What does Gilgamesh learn from Utnapishtim?
Your midterm (or first semester, second quarter, by high school nomenclature) paper demands you analyze a play. You may select any play that we have watched or read this year. Your paper needs to be in MLA format and should be 1,500-2,000 words. Although you do not have to use sources to support your paper, you may. Be very careful not to write a summary, and instead write an analysis.
I will post some tips regarding writing this paper under the "Useful Links" tab. Due January 21, 2016 Willie Loman, consumed with his own lackluster success, sets high expectations for his sons but offers conflicting advice to them. In what ways can we see, so far, that Willie has set his sons up for failure in life? Think about his criticism of Bernard and his insistence on the importance of being "well-liked."
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InstructionsPlease respond to the weekly question in a comment. Your response must be thorough (200 or so words), and it must show significant intellectual engagement. You also must respond to at least two of your cohorts by the closing date posted. Archives
April 2016
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