Select a prompt from the list below and write a 3-4 page essay about one of the following utopias:

• More's Utopia
• Plato's The Republic
• Bacon's "The New Atlantis"

1. In either Plato's Republic or Bacon's "New Atlantis" does a particular vision of utopia arise out of a specific notion of what it means to be human? Write an essay that analyzes the assumptions about human nature operating in one of these texts and how, in turn, those assumptions affect the type of utopian society presented in that text.

2. In many ways a utopia is a thought experiment by an author about an ideal world. Choosing Plato's Republic, More's Utopia, or Bacon's "New Atlantis," write an essay analyzing how "the good" is defined in that utopia and why the author might have idealized those aspects of life in his utopia.

3. Le Guin's story "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" suggests that although utopia is meant to be a "good place," it often has a dark side. This proposition appears to be borne out by elements most would consider dystopic in each of the classic utopias. Write an essay that analyzes how one of these authors justifies the problematic presence of things like slavery, mercenaries, etc. as vital to their utopias.

Guidelines:

• Your essay should state a single thesis
• Be sure to define your terms, if necessary.
• Your argument should be based on textual analysis and evidence rather than on emotion or personal belief.
• You must use and cite specific examples from the text to illustrate and support your claims.
• Foreground your own insights and analysis of the texts beyond merely revisiting what was discussed in lectures and sections.
• Be sure to give your essay a title that conveys the essence of your argument.
• Please do not use any secondary sources for this essay.
• For quotes shorter than four lines, integrate them into your text and cite the quotation in parenthesis at the end of the sentence: "… dropped the book" (Stephenson 151). For longer quotes, indent the entire quote 1 inch and drop the quotation marks.
• Once you have finished the essay, be sure to include on the top of the page:
  • Your Name
  • IHUM 58-Section #
  • Your TF's Name
  • The Question #

In terms of format, your essay must be:

• 3-4 pages in length
• formatted with one-inch margins
• double-spaced
• printed in a standard font (i.e. 12-point Times New Roman)
• numbered on all pages
• stapled before you turn it in

Papers will be graded on the following elements:

• Strength and arguability of the thesis (i.e., the extent to which it constitutes an assertion that, far from self-evident, actually demands substantial argumentative proof), along with the persuasiveness of that argument;
• Depth and complexity of analysis, especially your use of textual evidence and your willingness, when appropriate, to incorporate and respond to textual evidence challenging your thesis;
• Organization; and
• Style, conciseness and clarity of prose.

Your essay is due at the beginning of lecture on Oct. 15th. Essays turned in after lecture starts will be considered LATE. Please also post your essay to Coursework before lecture.