I/CCI Assignment
Project #2: Humanity and Animal Relations
developed by Loriann Fell fell@rowan.edu
Readings/Resources
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Dr. Daedalus by Lauren Slater. Harper’s Magazine, July 2001.
An Animal’s Place by Michael Pollan New York Times Magazine, Nov. 10, 2002.
Note to Instructors
I often use this assignment as a second assignment. The aim is to help students consider
abstract ideas in two different concrete contexts. Both texts are complex and require careful
reading. The goal here is to have students first understand, then articulate, what each of the
authors is saying then consider them together. Because we read both of the texts as a class we
can discuss and dissect the texts together in class in the early part of the assignment. Students
are sometimes challenged by the texts, but those that persist have created really interesting
papers.
Assignment Sequence
Assign Slater with reading questions (discuss in class); assign Pollan with reading questions and
discuss; assign Critical Engagement piece (begin in class); assign essay (begin planning for essay
in class); peer and instructor review of rough draft; turn in final draft.
Slater Reading Questions
1. What three objections to Rosen’s ideas does Slater identify? Find the place in the text
and explain in your own words.
2. What is Proteanism? Find the place in the text and explain in your own words.
3. Explain the following quote in your own words:
Where does necessary reconstruction end and frivolous intervention begin? Are those
interventions really frivolous, or are they emblematic of the huge and sometimes
majestic human desire to alter and transcend?
4. What do you think is the main, or overall, idea? How do you know?
5. What is post-modernism? Cite the text and explain the quote in your own words.
6. How does the final scene contribute to your understanding of the piece?
Pollan Reading Questions
1. Pollan sets up his piece in response to an argument by Peter Singer. What is Singer’s
argument? State in your own words and identify the place in the text that supports your
answer.
2. Pollan draws on a range of views from various thinkers and writers with regard to the
nature and status of animals. Identify three of Pollan’s sources and discuss their position
on the place of animals.
3. What does John Berger mean when he says that it is important to “look at animals”?
4. Explain “speciesism” and “argument from marginal cases” in your own words.
5. What position does Pollan arrive at with regard to how animals should be treated? Cite
the place in the text that shows how you know.
6. Reflect on Pollan’s conclusion. How does it differ from Peter Singer’s view? How does it
fit with your own view of how animals should be treated?
Critical Engagement #2 Assignment Sheet
Components
1. Summaries. Create a one-paragraph summary of both Pollan and Slater’s pieces (2 paragraphs).
Use your own words and include:
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What is the author's reason, or purpose, for writing?
What is the author's main idea?
What are the key ideas that support the main idea?
What kinds of evidence does the author provide?
What reasoning does she use, i.e., how does the author try to convince the reader of the
validity of his/her main idea?
2. Dialogue. Use the worksheet on the next page to imagine a conversation between Slater and
Pollan. In each column note how you think each would answer the question,
based on your reading of the texts. You can use the worksheet to take notes,
but then use those notes to create a narrative that devotes a paragraph to each of the
three questions:
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What differentiates humans from animals?
Do humans play God in our relationship with animals?
How important is it to follow the natural order of things?
3. Response. Now provide your take on the ideas that that Pollan and Slater provide. Feel free to
focus on what you think is most important.
Dialogue Worksheet
How would Joe Rosen or Lauren Slater describe the
difference between people and animals?
How would Michael Pollan describe the difference
between people and animals?
How do you know? Paraphrase or cite the text here.
How do you know? Paraphrase or cite the text.
Do humans “play God” in our relationship with
animals?
Do humans “play God” in our relationship with
animals?
How do you know?
How do you know?
How important is it follow the natural order of
things? (In medicine, for example)?
How important is it follow the natural order of
things (in agriculture, for example)?
How do you know?
How do you know?
Essay #2 Assignment Sheet
Introduction
In “Dr. Daedalus” Lauren Slater introduces the reader to Dr. Joe Rosen, who proposes creating
wings for human beings. This prompts her to ask, “At which point, in altering ourselves, would
we lose our essential humanity? Are there any traits that make us essentially human?” In “An
Animal’s Place,” Michael Pollan explores the question of animal rights. He writes, “… science is
dismantling our claims to uniqueness as a species, discovering that such things as culture, toolmaking, language, and even possibly self-consciousness are not the exclusive domains of Homo
sapiens. Yet most of the animals we kill lead lives organized very much in the spirit of Descartes,
who … claimed that animals were mere machines, incapable of thought or feeling.”
In this assignment you will use these texts to consider: What does it mean to be human and
what does that suggests about man’s relationship with animals? Consider: How are humans
and animals different? What does that mean? How should humans and animals coexist on the
planet? What rights do animals have and what rights do humans have and why?
Learning Outcomes
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Demonstrate a process approach to writing that utilizes feedback for revision.
Demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose.
Demonstrate that you have explored an issue or question raised by the assigned
readings.
Demonstrate the ability to integrate text effectively in your discussion.
Demonstrate awareness of the complexity of ideas associated with issues or topics.
Readings
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Dr. Daedalus by Lauren Slater. Harper’s Magazine, July 2001.
An Animal’s Place by Michael Pollan New York Times Magazine, Nov. 10, 2002.
Guidelines
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Provide relevant background, identify your question and explain the importance of that
question.
Develop a discussion that you can take ideas from different contexts and use them
together to consider a larger question.
Identify and support your thesis. Use your own knowledge and understanding to analyze
the texts and explore the complications.
Provide context for text references; paraphrase, summarize, or use direct quotes
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appropriately; use signal phrases; and clearly delineate your voice from the authors’.
Three pages minimum for the rough draft; four pages for the final draft.
12-point standard font.
Use informal citation (signal phrases and appropriate information about the source).
Works Cited Page required in [MLA or APA] style.
Due dates:
Essay Evaluation Sheet
Student: ______________________________
Introduction
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Introduces a concrete and clear context for the paper.
Strong ___________________________________________________ Weak
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Introduces the main idea and direction of the essay.
Strong ___________________________________________________ Weak
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Thesis is clearly stated.
Strong ___________________________________________________Weak
Overall Presentation and Organization
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Development—the essay adequately addresses the issue/topic, develops complex ideas, and provides
concrete examples and/or explanations.
Strong_____________________________________________________Weak
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Structure – the essay move smoothly from paragraph to paragraph and stays focused.
Strong_____________________________________________________Weak
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Paragraphs —are well organized and focused.
Strong_____________________________________________________Weak
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Conclusion –wraps up the essay and answers the so-what question.
Strong_____________________________________________________Weak
Use of Sources
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Meets source requirements.
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The relevance of the sources is clear or explained.
Strong __________________________________________________ Weak
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Sources
 Are appropriately introduced and integrated.
Strong __________________________________________ Weak
Yes
No
 Are appropriately quoted or paraphrased
Strong __________________________________________ Weak
 Develop and enhance the essay
Strong ________________________________________ Weak
Grammar and Mechanics Minor __________________________________________Significant
Revision Status
Portfolio Ready ________________________________________________ Significant Revision Needed