the french revolution

Major Research Essay
Length: 2000 words; MLA format;
Research Requirement: Your paper will include information from at least two (2) scholarly
articles from refereed/peer-reviewed journals.
Instructions: Select one (1) of the following topics and write a clear and organized response
that is supported by evidence from course resources and that sustains a connection with the
overarching course theme: analysing the ideologies, movements and theories that shape and
define the modern age and our understanding of ‘modernity’.
Please note that there is no “correct” response. Your task is to construct an enabling thesis
which is then illustrated and supported by compelling, course-based argumentation in the body
of your paper.
Topics: CHOOSE THE FOLLOWING TOPIC
2. Ezra Pound proclaims “the artist is the antennae of the age”. Select a specific artwork from
our course resources (this can be a painting, sculpture, play, poem or novel/la) and subject it to
rigorous analysis. Your task will be to explain, with specific connections to at least three (3)
course readings, how the artist predicts, exemplifies and/or clarifies something foundational
about modernity and the modern age.
The purpose of this assignment is to:
1. evaluate your ability to identify and to use effectively the key course concepts, theoretical
paradigms and definitions that you have learned.
2. provide suggestions on how to improve critical analysis and argumentation.
3. identify areas of your academic writing that would benefit from some remedial attention.
Please note that:
1. a superior paper will contain an enabling thesis with a concrete connection to defining and
analysing ‘modernity’ and ‘the modern age’; an original idea that requires a sustained and
advanced level of engagement with course and research materials. The body of such a paper
will provide persuasive evidence in support of its overarching thesis in language that is clear
and free of structural/grammatical errors. Last, the conclusion of an outstanding paper will bring
your essay to a close based upon the work that appears in its preceding paragraphs—it does
not restate your thesis or arguments at length, clarify your work or draw hasty connections to
course themes.
2. no credit will be given for description/summary of primary or secondary sources, lecture
material or tutorial discussion.
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