Topic: Explain, analyze, and evaluate Lucretius’ theory of the mind.

Order Description
PRIMARY SOURCES/ REFERENCES:
Lucretius. On the Nature of the Universe

Demonstrate significant engagement with the assigned texts for this course.
· Cite all your sources.
· Thesis. Your essay must be governed by a thesis that (a) responds directly to the essay topic, (b) is arguable, and (c) is stated at the end of the first paragraph having clearly defined all the central terms.
· Textual Support. Your thesis must be supported by major interpretive claims (topic sentences) that are supported by at least one appropriate quote per body paragraph. Your ability to select, interpret, and apply the appropriate textual evidence is key to doing well with the essay.
· Reasoning. You must consistently use and apply logical reasoning in developing your thesis.
· Writing. Your essay must be written well. There should be no awkward sentences, rough transitions between paragraphs, incoherent paragraphs, extraneous information/unnecessary sentences, typos, or stylistic errors.

This paper evaluates your comprehension of course assignments, themes, and methods. It should represent your very best work. You should not wait to the last minute. You should revise, revise, revise in order to present the most articulate, well-reasoned, well-organized, and appropriately-supported argument. This is not a research paper. You are expected to generate your own argument based on the assigned texts, lectures, and films for this course. You do not need to do any outside research (but if you do, you MUST cite all the sources, including those you don’t quote, but whose ideas, perspectives, and interpretations you use).