Writing Assignment: Egyptian Underworld Discussion
The purpose of this internet discussion is to develop a creative and
informed argument derived from knowledge that you've selected. Read the
following information about theses for background information.
What is a Thesis?
A thesis is meant to organize information, often distantly related information, into a coherent whole. Unlike a topic, however, a thesis provides the basis for an argument--that is, it is an interpretation information. A topic simply indicates that all the information gathered within it is related. A topic relates to information. A thesis relates to the use or significance of that information.
Let's take an example. A recent topic of interest for scholars studying early civilizations is the relationship between irrigation agriculture and state development. This topic merely provides a subject for study. Now, how does a topic become a thesis? A writer needs to say something about the topic; specifically, she or he needs to express an opinion. A German scholar, Kurt Wittfogel, developed this thesis: The demands of irrigation agriculture set the stage for the development of state governments in early civilizations.
A thesis by itself is not of much use; in fact, you may have trouble understanding what Wittfogel meant by his thesis. However, an essay or a book may be developed as an argument to support the thesis. A thesis with its supporting argument becomes more meaningful and certainly more useful than a thesis by itself. Here are a few key points that Wittfogel developed in his argument:
Thesis: The demands of irrigation agriculture set the stage for the development of state governments in early civilizations.
Argument:
1. The need for large amounts of labor to build extensive irrigation systems required the development of a system for organizing that labor.
2. The conflicts over water use for irrigation required the development of a judicial system for resolving disputes.
3. Those who managed to control the irrigation systems became the ruling class.
4. The ruling class established bureaucratic systems--a state government--that would allow them to maintain their power.
This is just the barebones of Wittfogel's argument, but already you probably have a better understanding of the thesis. In order to develop a strong argument, it was necessary for Wittfogel to provide concrete examples from early civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt to support his main points. And if the examples support the main points, then they will also support the thesis. Do you see how an argument may be built from several pieces, starting with a thesis (most general), which is supported by main points (more specific), which are developed with concrete examples (most specific)?
Next, go to the page Egyptian Underworld and examine the picture. The picture is an imagemap, which means that if you point the cursor at any element of the picture and click the mouse, you will get an explanation of the meaning of that symbol or cultural practice. Explore the meanings of that picture and then develop a creative argument in which you relate the elements and their meaning to one another. In your argument you may respond to answers submitted by other students, but don't develop your thesis as a response to someone else's answer; it should stand alone.
When an ancient Egyptian saw this picture, she saw everything you're seeing. However, she immediately understood the significance of the symbols. But while for you those symbols are all unrelated, for her they formed a coherent whole. In other words, she saw them all as related to one another. Rather than a series of symbols, she saw one meaningful picture made up of these symbols.
Your assignment is to develop a thesis, supported by an argument, that describes the Egyptian understanding of the underworld and the afterlife. Your argument should include examples from two sources: the Egyptian Underworld imagemap and The Book of the Dead. Your assignment should consist of 3-4 paragraphs.
Assessment
You will be assessed primarily on developing a thesis that is both
creative and that relates the diverse information and meanings in the
picture into a coherent whole. There is, however, no right or wrong answer
Your first job is to come up with a coherent, creative thesis; your second
job is to build an argument to support that thesis by selecting relevant
information from the imagemap and relating it to other relevant information
from the imagemap.
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