EDST 391: H. sapiens: What does it mean to be “human”?
Days 8 and 9
Reading assignment for both days
You decide. Jot down where you looked for material and what
- I will be in California on Day 8 so that class will be student-led, as
- Days 8 and 9 will be devoted to collecting, analyzing, and
describing to the class examples of how artists have depicted
what it means to be human (or not).
For Day 8
- Search for good examples. Look anywhere you think you can find
them: in literature, poetry,
drama, film, dance,
song, and so on.
- You might focus on just one or two of these categories.
- Bring a total of 2-3 good examples to class in the form of
photos, notes, etc. that you can use to illustrate what you
- During class, form teams of ~3-5
to compare, analyze, and
similarities and differences in what you found. For example, did anything
Which criteria for humanness did each example seem to emphasize
(physical, emotional, moral, etc.)? Did they fall into a pattern?
- Decide whether your team needs to do further research and analysis
before Day 9
Student co-captains for Day 8 will:
- Pass around an attendance sheet
- Briefly survey the class so everyone learns what
kinds of examples other students found (so they can form sensible groups)
- Make sure that students quickly form themselves into
small working groups
For Day 9
- Meet with your team as necessary, before Day 9, to coordinate a
concise, informative presentation of your examples and conclusions.
- Write and turn in your own personal analysis
will do their own). Include (from Day 8) the places you searched,
and any difficulties you had in finding or analyzing examples.
Keep it short and to-the-point.
- Make your joint (team) presentation in class
This assignment is meant to help you prepare for
which is due October 6. You should therefore read the Paper 1 assignment
you do the assignment for Days 8 and 9.