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ESSAY 1----- DUE 03/10/23

TOPIC: - When does life begin?

Post are comprised of three elements:

1. Your own original post (OP), responding to the topic as described

1. 450-500 words 2 pages

2. Your OP should be written in APA format (see the “APA Style Guide” under the

INFORMATION tab).

3. Sources must be cited. PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

4. Write in a professional way. Do not employ text shorthand, emojis, or the like.

FOLLOWING MATERIAL FOR ESSAY 1

After reading the brief in full, refer to the section titled "Emerging Issues". There are four categories- "Physician Aided Dying", "Palliative Care", "Permanent Vegetative State", and "Denial of Treatment". Choose one of these categories as the theme of your OP. IF YOU SUBMITTED A PAPER ON PHYSICIAN AIDED DYING, DO NOT CHOOSE THAT TOPIC FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

You are encouraged to go beyond this briefing paper to other resources. Be sure to cite your references "in text" and list them at the end of your post.

LINKS

https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/2009/03/19/does-it-matter-when-life-begins/

Since it is common for an individual's views and feelings on this question to be strongly felt, we must all be especially careful to be respectful and professional in our writing. No aggressive comments will be tolerated.

There are many views on when life, or "human personhood", begins. Is it at fertilization? Implantation in the uterus (~5 days)? Gastrulation (~2 weeks)? At the end of the 1st or 2nd trimester? At the point the fetus is viable outside the uterus (~24 weeks)? At delivery? Or at some other time or event?

To be sure we're all using the same terminology, here are some definitions:

Fertilization: the fusion of the sperm and oocyte (egg). The result is a "zygote".

Implantation: Fertilization usually occurs in the Fallopian Tube that connects the ovary and the uterus. The zygote then travels down the Fallopian Tube to the uterus, where it attaches and sinks into the inner wall of the uterus.

Embryo: the term that describes the developing tissue during the first 8 weeks.

Fetus: the term used from week 8 through delivery.

Gastrulation: an early stage of embryonic development when cells begin to differentiate into layers from which different types of tissue will arise.

Viability: the point at which the fetus is sufficiently developed that it can survive outside the uterus. It assumes medical intervention to assist survival.

ESSAY 2

The Elements of Fiction --  Coming of Age! (500 words) 2 pages DUE tomorrow MIDNIGHT 03/08/23

OBJECTIVES

Students will read several "Coming of Age" stories and begin to explore the elements that comprise this type of story.   They will compare and contrast two short stories in preparation for their next essay. 

1) Read “The Guide to Being a Groupie” by Lisa Gabriele and “A & P” by John Updike.

2) In preparation for your essay, download and read “Moral versus Theme.” For this essay, compare and contrast the lessons the two protagonists learn in each story.

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In a coming of age story, also known as a "Bildungsroman," the protagonist is often initiated into adulthood through knowledge, experience, or both, often by a process of disillusionment. The protagonist typically arrives at an “adult” understanding of self and/or the world through a destruction of a false sense of security, or in some way, the loss of innocence.

This kind of story is memorable because the character undergoes adventures and/or inner turmoil in her growth and development as a human being.  Some characters come to grips with the recognition of cruelty and abuse of power in the world—through war, violence, death, racism, and hatred—while others deal with family, friends, or community issues--through witnessing abuse of power or sacrifice. 

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Artists tell stories, in prose, in poetry, in film, in art and in music to show a young person as he or she "comes of age.  In each story, he or she is trying to make sense of society and the demands it makes of her.  Each protagonist is trying to figure out where he or she fits in, especially in the face of a problem or situation that  

“Coming of age” may mean accepting ambiguity—that there are no clear-cut answers in the face of inequity or something harmful--or of reacting to that ambiguity in a manner that may not be expected or acceptable to society.  These reactions typically illustrate the protagonist's growth. 

What are the issues of “coming of age” faced by the teen protagonists in "A&P" and "Guide to Being a Groupie?"  What problems do they face?  How are they related?  How are they different?  What moral issue does each character finally recognize and address in their stories? 

Essay 3 750 words (3 pages) DUE FRI 03/10/23

Now that you have identified the conflict in each story, consider the conflicts you have encountered as you "come of age." 

What issues have you faced that showed you a harsher view of the world?  Maybe you learned something about people and the ways in which they can abuse power, or maybe someone you trusted showed you that they were not worthy of your trust.  Perhaps the conflict gave you a new view of religion or politics or gave you a new perspective on where you stand in the world as someone of a specific gender or race.  Whatever the issue, tell me about a "coming of age" story, large or small, that you experienced and felt enlightened by, no matter how disillusioned or misguided you felt in the end.

Alternate journal entry:  Tell me about a coming-of-age story or film that meant a great deal to you.  For instance, many high school students cite "Catcher in the Rye" as a novel that had a significant impact on them and changed their world views.  I want to know how this novel, or any story or film, affected you and how it made you change.  Remember, you must write the correct length for this journal entry, so do not spend time summarizing the story or film.  Assume that I have seen or read the story you select.  I want to know more about your reaction to the story, rather than you summarizing its plot. 

--Read “Common Themes in Literature” to help you with this assignment.