Required Texts: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner; The Face on Your Plate by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson; Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely; In the Pond by Ha Jin
Two 6-Page Research Papers (1,500 words): 300 each; 270-300 is A; 240-269 is B; 210-239 is C; 180-209 is D
Two 4-Page Shorter Essays (1,000): 200 each; 180-200 is A; 160-179 is B; 140-159 is C; 120-139 is D
Grand Total: 1,000 points
Essay Assignments
Essay 1: The Geography of Bliss: Due January 12th in my office PE4. I'll be there at 5 P.M. First come, first serve.
In a 1,000-word essay develop a thesis that explains the wisdom the book teaches us about happiness.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Thesis with 4 mapping components
Paragraphs 3-7: Elaborate on your mapping components
Paragraph 8: Conclusion, a dramatic restatement of your thesis
Essay 2: The Face on Your Plate: Due January 20th in my office PE4. I'll be there at 5 P.M. First come, first serve.
In a 1,500-word research paper, develop a thesis that defends or refutes Masson’s vegan ideology.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Thesis with 4 or 5 mapping components
Paragraphs 3-9: Elaborate your mapping components
Paragraph 10: Conclusion, a dramatic restatement of your thesis
Last Page: Works Cited page with no fewer than 5 sources
Essay 3: Predictably Irrational: Due January 31 in my office PE4. I'll be there at 5 P.M.
In a 5-page essay (1,500 words) use extended definition and classification to analyze Predictably Irrational. Develop a thesis that defines the term "predictably irrational" by breaking it down into 4 or 5 categories (your mapping components) that you will illustrate with examples that ARE NOT IN THE BOOK.
Paragraph One: Introduction
Paragraph Two: Thesis with 4 or 5 mapping components
Paragraphs Three-Nine: Illustrate and elaborate your mapping components
Paragraph 10: Conclusion, a restatement of your thesis
Last page: Works Cited page with no fewer than 3 sources
Essay 4: In the Pond: Due on February 7th in my office PE4. I'll be there at 5 P.M.
In a 1,000-word essay, write a psychological profile of Bin, explaining how his desires for higher self-regard, power, and happiness are sabotaged by his own irrational faculties. Successful essays will use your personal observations that compare to Bin's self-destructiveness.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Thesis with 4 mapping components
Paragraphs 3-6: Elaborate and illustrate your mapping components
Paragraph 7: Conclusion, a restatement of your thesis