Much of our lives are devoted to conflicts, whether we are starting them, preventing them, or living in their aftermath.  World literature is loaded with references to war and the broader topic of human and personal conflict.

Use this essay as an opportunity to answer some of the questions that confuse you about war.  Furthermore, use this opportunity to research what knowledgeable people have written about human conflict, which will assist you in drawing conclusions about the realities of this topic.
 

ESSAY PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

DUE:   Tuesday 15 April 2003
WEIGHT:   15% of your semester average
PURPOSE:  To explore and reflect upon war and human conflict, with the help of world literature and outside research, and to arrive at a valid and educated answer to a series of critical questions.
LENGTH:  4-5 pages, plus an MLA Style Works Cited Page
STYLE:  MLA Style
RESEARCH:  You will need to incorporate at least 6 total sources into your essay:

3 Literature Sources (Primary Research)    
You should use the literature of the world to help you to address the issues of human conflict.  One of your three sources should be either Machiavelli’s The Prince or Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, since we have devoted class time to these titles.  Your other two sources will most likely come from our class readings, such as Gilgamesh, The Ramayana, etc.  You may also reference past titles of world literature that you have read, such as Homer’s Iliad or Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.  You certainly may research and read additional titles of world literature.  My website provides links to many full-text titles.  You may also read any literature that you find on your own.

3  Reference Sources (Secondary Research)  
A secondary source is one that supports the primary sources, usually taking the form of literary criticism, reference sources (historical, journalistic, or encyclopedic), or supporting articles (or commentary) from experts in the field.  Secondary sources help the researcher to better interpret any cultural nuances or special background knowledge that is needed to evaluate the literature or history properly.  Use these sources to verify key facts or to assist you in developing a better  understanding of this topic.
 

Selecting a Context 
You need to choose a real-life historical context to illustrate your conclusions.  My original intention for this assignment stems from the current situation with Iraq.  You may use the current crisis as a reference for your ideas.  For example, if you wish to prove that war is always preventable, then you can explain what you would do with Iraq instead of waging war.  You will want to use world literature to justify your conclusions.  You will also want to research the current situation to educate yourself on the arguments and reasons offered by all sides involved (U.S, Iraq, France, China, Russia, etc.).

Feel free to select a different context than the war with Iraq.  If you are a Civil War follower, you may want to apply that knowledge to this essay.  You may select any historical conflict, especially one that has been well documented, such as World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and Vietnam.  You may also use this assignment to demonstrate your understanding of current worldwide conflicts, such as the disputes between Israel and Palestine, India and Pakistan, China and Taiwan, etc.  On the other hand, you may want to avoid the topic of international war in favor of family, local, or regional disputes.  You may also choose to reference past or current social issues that have often divided our own country and families (such as abortion, free speech, state flags, racism, gay rights, etc.).

CAVEAT: Your opinions are most important in this essay.  You should use these situational contexts (particular wars, history, etc.) as main themes and examples in your essay.  Please avoid the temptation to merely report the facts.  You should be highlighting the literature of the world above all other research.  Use your literature selections to defend your conclusions about war and human conflict.
 

Getting Started with the Research Essay  
Since your opinions need to be placed at the forefront, begin your essay by selecting topics of interest, then by asking several critical questions that assist you in arriving at your initial conclusions (or your working thesis).

The following pages will guide you through some important questions to answer in your research essay.  To know which questions to ask, first you should narrow your focus by deciding on your topic areas of interest.

Next, research your topic areas by reading your primary literature.  Start with The Prince or The Art of War.  Then connect these messages to those found in other semester readings.  Broaden your understanding by reading about your context in appropriate secondary sources.  Learn more about the conflict with Iraq or other areas of the world.

After drawing initial conclusions, you should examine your topic more in depth by filling out your “Topic Interest” handout and arranging a conference time with Mr. Hagin in the next few weeks.  We will use this conference as a chance to craft a specific direction that meets your area of interest.  Once I know what you are interested in writing about, I can direct you to specific readings to help get you started.  After we decide on a good direction for your essay, you should devote more energy to researching your topic more thoroughly.
 

Selecting Appropriate Subtopics and Asking Critical Questions

Examining the Human Condition

One theme of this semester has been the examination of the human condition – recognizing the qualities, attributes, virtues, and shortcomings of human beings throughout time and place.  Alexander Pope expressed how mankind is both strongest and weakest; most loving, yet most hateful; smartest, yet most ignorant.  These dualities imply the complex and uncertain nature of our essence as living creatures.  What burdens seem to be placed on mankind?  How do we rise to meet these challenges?  What qualities seem to make us great … or pathetic?

Critical Questions: 
1. What is the greatest human weakness or failing?  How can we seek improvement?
2. Is selfishness an inherent quality of man?  Is it necessary? … destructive?
3. Why is “morality” difficult for people to follow?
4. What sacrifices or trade-offs do people have to make in life?  What happens when we don’t make them (or refuse to make them)?
5. How do people react to change?  Is this reaction appropriate?
6. Are people naturally good or bad?  Is Nature naturally good or bad?
7. When should we fight?  For what should we fight?  Is all fighting wrong?
8. What are the best alternatives to war?
9. How can people best achieve harmony in their personal lives and communities?
 

Understanding Islam

The attacks of September 11th and beyond have forced us Americans to contemplate the Middle East: its culture, beliefs, and intentions.  Muslim literature is often considered some of the most passionate, profound, and insightful readings in the world.  I encourage you to reflect on some of the classic stories, poetry, and scripture of Islam.  Then, compare the messages in these writings to the words and deeds of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, or Al-Qaida, to those portrayed by the American mainstream media.  Do these people and organizations speak for the entire Muslim world?  Are the messages twisted?  You may wish to read the writings of people such as Hafiz, Rumi, Sa’di, and Omar Khayyám) to supplement The Qur’an and offer a more diverse perspective on the Muslim outlook on life.  Do Americans misunderstand Islam?

Critical Questions:      
1. Do Osama bin Laden’s actions and beliefs accurately represent Islam?
2. Does Islam respect women?  Was the Taliban’s subjugation women misguided?
3. Is Islam “anti-American”?  Does the Qur’an speak out against “American” values?
4. How did the Taliban stray from the teachings of Islamic literature (such as the Qur’an)?
5. Does Islam preach hatred?  Where do these interpretations originate?
6. Is Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaida organization appropriately using the term “jihad”?
7. How do Muslim extremists use the Qur’an as propaganda?
8. Are the media portraying Islam (or the views of Muslim nations) fairly?
 

Religion and War

This semester, we have studied how religious ideals have influenced the literature of selected cultures (and vice versa).  Although religions help to instruct societies to revere all that is good in the world, many people continue to fight against others who see the world differently than they do.  Some people and cultures even use religion to justify these conflicts.  You may wish to explore the relationship between religion and war.  Choose from some common disputes in our own lives (such as the conflicts between Israel and Palestine or Pakistan and India) or other pertinent historical examples (such as the Crusades).  Explore the roots of these conflicts, and examine how the different beliefs are used and abused to justify war.

You should become more familiar with spiritual texts as well as titles written by important contributors to the culture’s philosophy.  Gandhi, for example, promoted nonviolence to his Hindu followers, allowing India to break free from British imperialistic rule with fewer lives lost than if they had taken more conventional tactics (such as a bloody war).  Still, India and Pakistan fight over Kasmir, and this battle is essentially drawn across religious lines (the Hindu Indians vs. the Muslim Pakistanis).  What does the Qur’an instruct the Muslims to do?  What does the Bhagavad-Gita tell the Hindus to do?  Where do these people get their justification for war?  Explore possible causes of this continuance of violence (religious extremism, mis-interpretation of texts, cult of personality, poverty, etc.), and offer some practical solutions that could be utilized today to reduce the frequency or severity of the fighting.

Critical Questions:     
1. Why do some people use religion to justify war?  Are their arguments valid?
2. Do the religious writings of any culture promote war, especially against other religions?
3. What would Jesus do?  Would the great spiritual leaders such as Buddha or Jesus begin, promote, or fight in a war?  Should religious people follow their examples?
4. Should people try to convert other people to their own ways of thinking?
5. Is capitalism in opposition to many religious teachings?
6. Is the current crisis in Iraq merely a continuation of the medieval Crusades?
 
 

War Tactics

The Prince and The Art of War each discuss military tactics.  If you are interested in military strategy, you may wish to critique the decisions (on both sides) that have led to the current Iraqi crisis.  Could either side have made better decisions that would allow us to avoid warfare?  Was war inevitable, given the great division between America and many Middle Eastern nations?

Critical Questions: 
1. What should George W. Bush do, based on the teachings of world literature?
2. Is “brinkmanship” the best tactic available for international negotiation?
3. Is either side using (or deviating from) proven military tactics outlined in the texts?
4. Would SunTzu or Niccoló Machiavelli have used similar strategies as the U.N. has?
 
 

Common Research Essay Concerns

Should my essay concentrate more on the facts or my own opinions?
Your opinions are more important than your facts, although you should strive for a balance between the two.  Your opinions cannot support your facts, but your facts can support your opinions.  Students who interpret and explain the literature quotes will write more impressive essays.

Should my essay be critical and persuasive?
Yes, both.  You should promote your main argument in a clearly written, opinionated thesis located on the first page of your essay.  Each new topic should begin a new paragraph, and it should begin with an opinionated topic sentence.  Since your subtopics are supposed to help you to promote your thesis (your main argument), your topic sentence should likewise express an opinion as well.

What is the difference between “primary” and “secondary” research?
Primary research implies the first place where knowledge originates.  Secondary research communicates this knowledge through another source, apart from the primary source.  For this assignment, the literature that you read will be the primary sources, since you will be quoting directly from the authors themselves.  Secondary research might take the form of literary criticism, where other people discuss what they interpret about the primary sources.

Which is more important, the literature quotes or the research quotes?
Your opinions are most important, followed by the literature quotes.  This is a literature class, so this should be your main source of inspiration.  Use the other sources to enhance your knowledge, understanding, or arguments.

How should I use my quotes?
Your quotes should serve as examples around which your discussion centers.  Be sure to synthesize your quotes into your paragraphs.  Never let a quote speak for itself or to stand alone as its own sentence.  Lead into your quotes with an opinionated statement.  Discuss the quote immediately after your use it.   Please avoid placing block quotes into your essay.  I am far more impressed by students who synthesize smaller quotes into a paragraph.  Students who rely on block quotes may devote too much space to the facts, when opinions and interpretation may be more important.

Where can I get MLA Style help?
The ultimate source that will answer all of your questions is The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition.  You can also consult my website, which contains dozens of Internet links and class handouts that I distribute to my English 1101 classes.  You can also dust off your old composition handbooks, visit the Writing Center in HU 242, or make an appointment to see me.  The KSU Writing Center can assist you with your essay structure, depth, and focus.  The tutors will not edit your drafts, but they will answer any specific questions that you bring to them about your sentence structure, diction, punctuation, documentation, etc.  It’s free!
 
 

Research Essay Conferences

Purpose of the Conferences
We will use our conference time to brainstorm together.  I will ask that you prepare your thoughts in advance on the “Topic Planner” handout.  We will use your initial ideas for the essay as the starting point for our conversation about your essay.  I will be able to understand your areas of interest, which will allow me to offer constructive suggestions and warn you of any dangers that might exist along the way.

What We Will Discuss
Specifically, I would like to discuss your proposed topic areas, including your working thesis, your subtopics, and appropriate research.  After I understand your interest areas better, I can direct you to particular readings and reference sources that should make your research process more focused and efficient.  After the conference, you will be able to feel more comfortable with your topic and how you can best meet the requirements of the assignment.

What You Should Bring
You will need to bring the following items to your conference:

1. Your completed “Topic Planner” handout
2. Your ideas for the essay’s purpose and direction (the working thesis)
3. Any questions that you have about the assignment or the course

Grades
Your conference will comprise 4% to your semester average:

· 2% for your setting and honoring your appointment time, arriving on time to the conference, and discussing your chosen research topic from a knowledgeable point of view.

· 2% for filling out the “Topic Planner” handout thoroughly and thoughtfully.

NOTE: Any students who do not show for a conference by Friday 21 March 2003 will receive a zero.  Your conference grade will not affect your research essay grade, although taking a zero for the conference will obviously reduce your overall average by 4%.  For most students, the conference grade should be an easy “A.”