HIST 311A Science in Civilizations: Antiquity to the 1600s (Fall 2005)
ESSAY #1 Ancient Greek science in intellectual and social contexts
Due: Thurs Nov 3, at the start of lecture
Value: 20%
Length: 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins
Assignment: Write an argumentative essay about one of the topics listed below. Your essay must
have a clear thesis statement that sums up your main claims about the material. Use specific
information and arguments from the designated texts in order to address your topic as thoroughly
as possible and to defend your interpretations. Give citations to indicate where your supporting
material came from. Include a bibliography of all sources you cited or consulted. This assignment
asks you to carefully read, compare, and critically analyze the interpretations given in two
scholarly articles about Aristotle. See the back of this page for further instructions about what is
expected and how you will be evaluated.
Sources: Go to the course website to find and download the scholarly articles you will use as
sources for this essay (they will be posted as pdf files at the link “Essay sources”). You must use
TWO of these designated articles as your principal sources. The appropriate texts for each topic
are listed below. If your essay does not make substantial use of these articles, it will receive a
grade of zero. You should also refer to relevant material from the required course texts and
lectures. Additional research is not required, but you are welcome to explore other reliable history
of science resources such as those found on the course website.
TOPICS: CHOOSE ONE
1. Aristotle’s theory of sexual reproduction has frequently been criticized by historians who
interpret it as gender biased. Other historians have attempted alternative explanations for why
Aristotle developed this theory. Compare and contrast the interpretations given in the two articles
listed below. What arguments do the authors make about how Aristotle’s science was influenced
by social beliefs or intellectual factors? What do you think about their arguments?
 Horowitz, “Aristotle and Woman”
 Tress, “Metaphysical Science of Aristotle’s Generation of Animals and Its Feminist Critics”
2. Aristotle’s writings on the doctrine of the four causes of natural phenomena have been analyzed
by philosophers and historians with respect to the meaning of key passages and issues. In
particular, Aristotle’s complex concept of teleology (final cause) has been interpreted a variety of
ways. Scholars have debated about which aspects of nature Aristotle claimed to be goal-directed
and what those goals are, and why Aristotle thought teleological explanations were better than
strictly materialist ones. These types of questions are addressed in the two articles listed below.
Compare and contrast the main arguments made by these two authors. What do you think about
their arguments?
 Cooper, “Aristotle on Natural Teleology”
 Sedley, “Is Aristotle’s Teleology Anthropocentric?”
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Evaluation criteria: Recent scholarship on Aristotle explores the ways that his theories and
methods were developed in particular intellectual and social contexts. Scholars provide differing
and sometimes conflicting interpretations of certain passages in Aristotle’s writings and of
controversial issues such as his ideas about sex differences or how he applied his doctrine of
causes. This assignment requires that you analyze this secondary literature in several ways:
 First, you must be able to accurately read and explain the main points made in the two
assigned articles.
 Second, you must identify significant points to compare/contrast between the two authors’
interpretations, and compose a thesis statement that sums up your main arguments about
how and why the two are alike/different.
 Third, you must give some critical analysis of the quality of the two interpretations – what is
your informed opinion about these scholars’ arguments? Which seem plausible and well
defended, and which are not? The material you’ve learned from the required readings and
lectures about Aristotle, his predecessors, and his social context should help you formulate a
response.
Your thesis statement must summarize the main argument(s) you’ll be making in your essay. The
body of your essay should defend your thesis in a consistent, complete, and organized fashion.
Your grade will also take into account the quality of writing and essay mechanics.
Documentation: Use either APA in-text citations, e.g. (Smith 1), or footnotes in any standard
format. Cite exact page numbers. There must be a bibliography at the end of your paper listing all
the sources you consulted. Make sure to provide complete bibliographic information for any web
resources you use. Lack of proper documentation will result in severe grade penalties.
Short essays like this should not rely too heavily on quotations, so instead explain other
people’s arguments or information in your own words (paraphrase) and then give a citation to
show where it came from. Your interpretations should be supported with copious references to
specific passages from the relevant texts. When writing an essay, all direct quotations, paraphrases,
information, interpretations, and opinions taken from another person’s work must be identified.
Providing documentation will answer your reader’s questions such as “Where did you get that?” or
“Why should this claim be believed?” Use quotation marks and citations whenever you use
someone else’s exact words. Citations are also required to indicate that you have borrowed ideas or
facts from a certain source, even if you are not quoting from it.
All work submitted for evaluation and course credit must be an original effort. Plagiarism
means presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own, for example by
turning in someone else’s work or failing to document material you have quoted or borrowed,
either intentionally or unintentionally. It is a serious offense and punishable under the provisions
of the University’s Student Conduct Code for academic integrity. If you are unsure about your
use of sources or are having other difficulties with your writing, please come to office hours or
make an appointment with the History Writing Center (Smith 210C, 543-5692).
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