Animals and Humanss;

Drawing on independent research, class readings, and viewings, write a 4-5-page essay
answering one of the following questions. Essays must be typed and double-spaced. They should
be typed in a standard font (12-point, Times New Roman) with standard margins (1 inch on the
top and bottom, 1.25 or 1 inch on the sides). The assignment is due on February 27th by
midnight by email. Assignments that are handed in after February 27th will be considered late.
Late work is accepted after the deadline for a reduction of one grade for each day the essay is
late. For example, if the deadline is Wednesday, the highest grade a paper handed in on Thursday
can receive is an 14/15 , Friday a 13/15, and so forth. With the exception of those essays handed
in late, all essays may be re-written for a higher grade. Late essays may be re-submitted for
comment, but not a higher grade.
Assume that your audience has not read this assignment and will read your essay because your
title caught their interest. Your introduction should explain the problem-at-hand before
presenting your thesis. Because this is an academic paper you must use a recognized style guide.
Please use the Chicago Manual of Style.
Please cite at least 3-4 scholarly sources from your own research as well as any appropriate
sources from our class readings or primary sources.
Note: This essay is an opportunity for you to begin to explore the animal or issue that you plan to
write about for your final research project. While you’re not required to remain focused on the
topic you chose for this essay, this is a good opportunity to develop a familiarity with a
topic/issue of interest to you. This will make the process of designing a research question and
prospectus easier for you.
Topics
1. In his approach to Ape (2009), John Sorenson explores human/animal relationships by
focusing specifically on our engagement with apes. He ultimately argued that apes fascinate us
because “they are like us but not us” (Sorenson 2009, 125). Consider an animal that may figure
prominently in your final research project or an animal that has always fascinated you. How
would you characterize humans’ interaction with it?
2. Many critical animal studies scholars have argued that the human/animal relationship is
characterized by disparities or inequalities in power. Many of the scholars that we have read so
far this semester have adopted this approach (Franklin 2007; Tuan 2007; Sorenson 2009). In this
essay, analyze the nature of power in the human/animal relationship by focusing on a particular
animal and its relationship with humans. Is this relationship characterized by dominance? Have
critical animal studies scholars been overly pessimistic in their analyses? Is there another
interpretation? You can draw on an animal that figures prominently in your final project or
simply chose an animal that fascinates you.
2
3. Propose your own question. If you chose to do this, you must discuss it with the instructor and
receive her approval.
Grading Rubric
Criteria Measures Points Comments
Introduction/Thesis
Statement
-explains problem to
be addressed
-provides necessary
background
-strong thesis
statement
3
Quality of Ideas and
Argument
-strong insights
-remained focused on
question
-strong reasoning
3
Use of Evidence -excellent use of
different sources
-relevant examples
and case studies
-contextualizes and
introduces sources
3
Organization and
Clarity
-well-organized paper
-includes topic
sentences related to
thesis that are fully
developed in the
paragraph
-flows logically
3
Editing and
Manuscript Form
-avoids grammatical
and syntactical errors
-citations and format
follow assigned style
guide
-includes academic
title
3

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