First of all, below I’m gonna provide the instructions provided by the professor.
Your essay is intended to examine a specific subject of the Humanities. However there are numerous things to consider when writing in the Humanities. First, make sure that your subject is clear. The topic of your essay should not be in question. Your writing should offer some commentary upon the subject. This commentary should follow from your thesis. Facts are important, but more instrumental to the quality of your work is your ability to analyze the subject for the meanings that you find it to hold.Your work should meet the proper length, between 750 and 1000 words or 2 – 3 pages.Avoid overusing self-referential terms and statements, e.g. “I think”, “I believe.” As the author of the work, the fact that the thoughts and beliefs are yours is a given.If using outside sources, cite appropriately. (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.)
Now, I’m gonna post the term paper essay question to work on the essay.
1. The style of the 17th century Italian artist Caravaggio may be described as quite instrumental to the Counter Reformation – the period in which the Roman Catholic Church sought to present religious art that would counter the threat of Protestantism. Why, in your opinion, were Caravaggio’s paintings considered to be so very suitable to this effect? Using at least one of his paintings, present an examination of what you find to be noteworthy about the piece, given its role in the church’s reform effort. Define the way in which the work might communicate the church’s efforts to revitalize its reputation through the medium of emotional imagery, and comment on any other aspects of the work which would engage the viewer with religious sympathy.
2. Consider the conflict which emerged between the Catholic Church and the figures who explained the new scientific theories of the 17th century. Men were often killed and excommunicated by the church for their astronomical beliefs, and the scientific community often denied the church’s interpretation of God. What are your views concerning this historical conflict? Do you feel that one side was more justified in its position or its actions? Also, how do you see current conflicts between the church and the sciences (e.g., stem cell research, abortion, theories of evolution) in contrast with the previous conflicts?
3.The style of Baroque religious painting of the Netherlands in the 1600’s, was much more intimate and personal than those styles Baroque art emerging in Italy during this same time. Unlike in Italy, Dutch art was more likely to be displayed in a person’s home in order to inspire their own sense of religious devotion. Examine the differences between these styles of Baroque art, and using one specific example from each region, explain which style more effectively communicates its artistic purpose. For example, given the intentions of their pieces, do you find the paintings of Caravaggio and the sculptures of Bernini to be more religiously persuasive than the Vanitas paintings and Dutch genre scenes? Explain your reasoning either way.
4. The political concept of absolutism was very popular in the 16th and 17thcenturies. Absolute rule reigned prominently in England, France and many other regions around the world. What do you think are the assets and drawbacks of being a citizen of an absolutist government? Furthermore, how do such governments compare to the forms of rule that exist today? Could the functioning of any modern government be interpreted as an absolutist or aristocratic form of rule to your interpretation? Why or why not?
5.The Enlightenment in England was punctuated by social theories proposed by two men, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Each of these figures sought to explain a governmental reality which they felt would benefit the subjects of a given society. Hobbes, founding his theories on the acceptance of inherent human aggressiveness, claimed that government should be primarily authoritative and dominant. Locke, evoking the theory of Tabula Rasa, claimed that the government should guide citizens toward moral integrity and civility, through the preservation of the stated natural rights. Which of these theories do you find most appropriate? Is Locke’s notion about mankind’s birth with a blank slate more acceptable to your mind than Hobbes’ assertion of our inherent aggression? Explain your position on these points. Finally, what aspects of modern governments, if any, do you find to be influenced by these theories?
I’m going to attach screenshots about the questions of the essay in case it is confusing to read the questions through this box and I’m also going to attach professor’s expectation of this paper or better known as the evaluation.