Due Oct 9

Short Essay 1 of 2

1250-word (5p) essay due midnight the evening of Sat, Oct 9.

Read pp 1-2 of the “Introduction” to Patterns in the Sky. In that passage, Fabian cites the findings of archaeologists to conclude that “astronomical observations and their application in cultural suystems are often fundamental to human culture.” For this assignment, I want you to explore that insight using artifacts from Antiquity up through the Renaissance—and/or primitive cultures. (Basically, anything from the first five weeks of HW.)

Use examples from Fabian as well as art and literature referenced in recent homework assignments to puzzle out why the heavens have proven so central to primitive human civilizations. What function(s) do the heavens tend to play in these cultures? Practical? Conceptual? Rhetorical?

The best essays will frame their thesis claim as a response to some prior understanding: often in the form ‘Not just X but also Y,’ where X is something fairly important but also obvious and Y is something more subtle or intriguing than X. The best essays will not necessarily reference multiple examples, but may instead focus on a single example to provide an in-depth analysis. Those that do focus on multiple examples will choose examples carefully, not haphazardly.

Essays will be graded on:

• Interpretive insights
• Evidence presented (evocative description of visual art, choice of quotations and evocative assessment of literary texts)
• Deepening of analysis from ¶ to ¶, communicated through ¶ transitions
• Clear sense of mission, communicated in the introduction and conclusion
• Documentation of sources, using MLA citation. (Click here for MLA guidelines on citing works of art and curatorial information.)

Submit to Prof Henebry via email.