Instructor Chris Jochim
(114PAP1.DOC)
Legacy of Asia Humanities 114
GUIDELINES FOR PAPER ONE
DUE DATE: March 9
LENGTH: 1,000 words
TOPIC: Comparison of selected beliefs or practices in traditional India and China
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Do not plagiarize.
For this assignment, you should document your use of sources carefully, using a standard format: e.g.,
Modern Language Assn. (MLA) or American Psychological Assn. (APA). If necessary, consult the MLA
Handbook or another style guide. Cite internet sources correctly. Useful guidelines are located at:
http://www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/citations/mla/.
2. Identify a specific issue that was of concern in both Indian and Chinese culture. State this issue in the
form of a question so that you can compare the way in which the question was answered in the two cases.
Below are some examples of relevant questions. It will be best to use a question that you create from your
own interests or concerns. Here are some examples students have used in the past:
What is beauty (in art, poetry, literature, or dance)?
What is health?
What is the “world” like (a place of suffering, a place where one can achieve full satisfaction, a place of
order, a place of chaos, etc.)?
What are the ultimate goals of life?
What are proper social roles for men, women, both?
3. You will be more successful if you identify the answer of one specific thinker, text, or school of thought for
each country, rather than try to give the “Indian” and “Chinese” views in vague terms. In other words, a narrow
focus will probably be better than a very broad one.
4. Your paper should be based on two or more outside sources (not mainly on assigned course readings). In
other words, do library research using one or more “print” (non-internet) source as well as Internet
sources if you use them. Internet research can supplement but not replace research using print sources.
5. You must identify specific similarities and differences between the Indian and Chinese views that you
cover.
6. You must have a conclusion that expresses the significance of the similarities and differences you identify.
Why are these similarities and differences important? Why do they matter?