Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of
topic choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source
material written by major authors. Read the selections  as identified
with each topic below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250
words minimum) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading
selection. 

Topic Choices

• Reading selection from
  Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a
   proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much
  grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not
  the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the
  Discourse on the Method located at http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/descartes1637.pdf (then scroll down to Part 4, pp. 14-18). This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work.
   
• Reading
  selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize
  the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should
  consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options
  are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization.
  Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html. 
• Two
  (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these
  readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are
  looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be
  found on pp. 840-841 in the textbook. In addition, consult the class
  text at pp. 824-825.

For the reading selection you choose:

1. Clearly
   state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you
   selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized
   that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of
   the surprises come at the end.
2. Evaluate how successful the
   author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise
   ending” that was different from what you expected. 

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be
  typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with
  one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA
  Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the Additional
  Resources section of their Student Center within their course shell for
  reference)
• Include a cover page containing the title of the
  assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title,
  and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in
  the required assignment page length.
• Use the source(s)
  identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the main primary
  source of that author. You may use additional sources also if they are
  of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar
  websites do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a
  matching APA style References list at the end.  

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context. 
• Examine
  the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and
  socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions. 
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures from the Renaissance to the contemporary period. 
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.