Assignment Making Use of Reading/Class Discussion: RECOMMENDED

Crop selection and modification, humans' relationship to animals, the spread of infectious diseases and biological warfare, development of communications technology and sophisticated weaponry, unequal distribution of resources--all of these are features of the development of human societies and are the foundation of political systems. What new examples of these topics, evident since the publication of Diamond's book, could you use to test his analysis of these factors in "the fates of human societies"? (Note that the quoted phrase is the subtitle of Guns, Germs, and Steel.)

Select a topic of recent interest—for example, genetic modification of a food crop, SARS or West Nile Virus, or avian flu, the threat of biological warfare, technological developments in weaponry, Western society's energy use and policies--that relates to a part of Diamond's argument in Guns, Germs, and Steel. Do some research, using three sources, at least one of which is a fairly recent periodical article.

Using the information that you have found, write an essay explaining your topic and relating it to Guns, Germs, and Steel. As you plan your essay, think about subtitles that will help you organize the information. (You can use your list of subtitles like an outline.) You will need to use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries to develop your essay. Be sure to indicate when you're using someone else's words or ideas and document them appropriately. We'll spend some time talking about this in class.

Your essay should follow CBE format. See the Rules for Writers Web site on CBE Manuscript Format. (You will not need an Acknowledgments section.)

Draft due in class for workshop [date]
Draft due to [professor] in midterm portfolio, due [date]
Revision due one week after midterm conference
You may revise again if you need to, before including in final portfolio, due [date]