Heritage II

Spring 2004

Professor: Jeremy Gottlieb
Office: Lentz Hall 232-E
Phone: x5943

In my Heritage II sections, we are going to focus primarily on the relationship between the individual and society. Being that it is primary season in the United States, this year we are going to do this with a particular focus on democratic society - how it has evolved, and the rights and responsibilities individuals have within it.

Compare/Contrast paper

- due 3/12/04 at noon

The compare/contrast paper should evaluate at least three of the following readings with regards to one another. It should probably be at least 7-10 pages. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less depending on your writing style.

The best way to get a good grade on a paper like this is going to involve providing a critical analysis of the relative merits of the arguments made in the works being compared. In particular, this analysis should include an understanding of the fundamental points being made, an evaluation of why the author is making the point he is making, and a comparison of the relative value of these points based on the historical and personal contexts of the authors. A good strategy is to imagine that you are one of the authors reading the other author's essay. For example, if you are comparing Socrates to MLK, imagine you are Socrates reading "Letter From Birmingham Jail" and how you would react.

The readings were:

  • Jefferson - "Declaration of Independence"
  • Lincoln - "Gettysburg Address"
  • Aristotle - "Definition of Justice"
  • Plato - Crito
  • Plato - "The Apology"
  • Thoreau - "Civil Disobedience"
  • Sophocles - Antigone
  • King - "Letter From Birmingham Jail"
  • Marx - "Communist Manifesto"
  • Reich - "Why the Rich Are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer"
  • Friedmans - "Created Equal"

    Important Information

    Grading criteria

    Course Policies

    2003-04 Heritage Guide

    Last Modified: 2/5/04, 10:40am CST