Confucianism

HUM 2633: Paper Guidelines

Basic Guidelines and Grading Rubric:

Papers must be typed, double spaced, and have 1” margins. Length specifications represent the minimum expected page length. I do not penalize students if they go over that length. However, if you go under I will deduct the percentage of the paper a student did not complete from the final grade. Papers are due on or before the deadline. No late papers will be reviewed unless students have utilized a second chance extension. Papers without second change exemptions that are received after the deadline will automatically receive an F. Students who fail to submit a paper altogether will receive a zero. Thus, it is better to hand in a paper late than not hand in a paper at all. Late papers must be submitted within 48 hours of the stated deadline. After that point, unless a medical emergency or other situation warranting an extension has occurred that can be documented, no credit will be given. All papers that are received on time and meet general paper requirements (length) receive half-credit (50 points). The remainder of the assigned credit will be determined by the degree to which they meet the following grading criteria. All papers are expected to:

a. establish a clear focus through the presence of a topic statement or thesis (10 points)

b. be clear, correct, and coherent in presentation of required central content (10 points)

c. be mechanically sound (be properly formatted and free of spelling/grammatical errors) – (10 points)

d. use the required number of direct citations to substantiate exposition and/or argument (10 points)

e. cite all direct/indirect citations correctly and include a works cited (MLA format) - (10 points)

Confucianism: Paper Topics

2.) Using at least three passages from the Analects, discuss the value that the text places on respecting and learning from one’s elders; relate this to the respect for parents and grandparents (and other family members) that is commonplace in this region. Discuss why you think this practice (filial piety) was, and remains, so important. What is its value and how does it show a point of connection between Confucian thought and contemporary society?