The overarching goal of this research paper is to foster a thorough and critical exploration of a current news event among students, aimed at elucidating the enduring relevance of ancient history to contemporary life. By prompting students to draw meaningful connections to events, themes, or lessons from ancient Greek or Roman history, this assignment seeks to go beyond mere facilitation
and to ignite a sense of intellectual curiosity and critical inquiry within students. Thus, the goal is to guide students towards a more insightful grasp of the intricate relationship between Classical history and the complexities of a contemporary issue. Research Paper Topic:
To engage effectively with this assignment, students are required to immerse themselves in both the ancient world and contemporary news. Your initial task is to select a current news event or issue that holds global or societal significance. This may encompass a diverse array of subjects,
including but not limited to politics, culture, economics, social issues, or technological advancements. Choose a news event that has transpired within the past six months, ensuring that
the selected event possesses the depth and complexity necessary for drawing meaningful historical
parallels with ancient Greece or Rome.
Research and Analysis:
• Thoroughly research the chosen news event using reputable sources.
• Identify key factors, players, and underlying causes associated with the contemporary
issue.
• Analyse the event within the context of its historical, cultural, and social implications.
Identifying Ancient Parallels:
Draw connections between the chosen contemporary news event and events, figures, or concepts
from ancient Greek or Roman history. Consider historical examples from ancient Greece and
Rome that share similarities or offer contrasting perspectives.
Historical Context:
Provide a comprehensive historical context for both the contemporary issue and the ancient events
under discussion. Highlight the cultural, political, and social dynamics of the ancient world that
are pertinent to understanding the identified parallels.
Comparative Analysis:
Conduct a rigorous comparative analysis to explore the similarities and differences between the
modern and ancient contexts. Discuss the potential lessons or insights that can be derived by
examining both contexts in tandem.
and to ignite a sense of intellectual curiosity and critical inquiry within students. Thus, the goal is to guide students towards a more insightful grasp of the intricate relationship between Classical history and the complexities of a contemporary issue. Research Paper Topic:
To engage effectively with this assignment, students are required to immerse themselves in both the ancient world and contemporary news. Your initial task is to select a current news event or issue that holds global or societal significance. This may encompass a diverse array of subjects,
including but not limited to politics, culture, economics, social issues, or technological advancements. Choose a news event that has transpired within the past six months, ensuring that
the selected event possesses the depth and complexity necessary for drawing meaningful historical
parallels with ancient Greece or Rome.
Research and Analysis:
• Thoroughly research the chosen news event using reputable sources.
• Identify key factors, players, and underlying causes associated with the contemporary
issue.
• Analyse the event within the context of its historical, cultural, and social implications.
Identifying Ancient Parallels:
Draw connections between the chosen contemporary news event and events, figures, or concepts
from ancient Greek or Roman history. Consider historical examples from ancient Greece and
Rome that share similarities or offer contrasting perspectives.
Historical Context:
Provide a comprehensive historical context for both the contemporary issue and the ancient events
under discussion. Highlight the cultural, political, and social dynamics of the ancient world that
are pertinent to understanding the identified parallels.
Comparative Analysis:
Conduct a rigorous comparative analysis to explore the similarities and differences between the
modern and ancient contexts. Discuss the potential lessons or insights that can be derived by
examining both contexts in tandem.
Critical Reflection:
Reflect on the significance of establishing connections between contemporary events and ancient
history. Consider the relevance of historical lessons in addressing or comprehending current
challenges.
Note: In addition to contemporary sources, students must incorporate relevant ancient literary
source material to enrich their analyses. Utilise primary texts from ancient Greece and Rome to
deepen the historical perspectives presented in your research paper.
This assignment encourages students to apply historical thinking skills to analyse and
interpret current events through the lens of ancient Greek and Roman history. It promotes critical
thinking, research skills, and an appreciation for the enduring relevance of Classical history in
understanding the complexities of the contemporary world.
Students are required to submit work that they have authored and written themselves. To
complete the Research Paper, each student will research one of the subjects provided (using
suitable sources and applying the conventions of research and writing in ancient history) and
prepare a short (2000 words [+/– 10%], excluding title page, footnotes, ‘Works Cited’, and all
direct quotations) paper. Thus, your paper MUST fall between 1800 and 2200 words—taking into
account the exclusions noted above—to receive a passing grade. Papers that do not meet this
requirement will receive a failing grade. Papers must be in 12–point Times New Roman font,
double spaced, with numbered pages beginning with the first page of text. Do not number the title
page.
Your paper must include AT LEAST (this is the minimum standard for it to receive a passing
grade not a high grade) a direct reference (cited in correct Chicago Style footnote format) to at
least TWO (2) different scholarly secondary sources and ONE (1) direct reference to an ancient
literary source (cited either as a footnote or in–text citation following the standard practices of
Classicists writing in the area of ancient history). To be clear, you must direct your reader explicitly
to an edition of an ancient author and include that edition in your Works Cited to receive a passing
grade. Papers that do not meet the minimum criteria of referencing scholarly and ancient/primary
sources will receive a failing grade. All sources cited directly in the paper must be included in a
“Works Cited” list to follow the paper, formatted following the 17th edition of The Chicago
Manual of Style. Each paper must also include a title–page which MUST include the following
information:
• title
• student name
• student ID
• course code and name
• instructor name
• date submitted
• word count
Reflect on the significance of establishing connections between contemporary events and ancient
history. Consider the relevance of historical lessons in addressing or comprehending current
challenges.
Note: In addition to contemporary sources, students must incorporate relevant ancient literary
source material to enrich their analyses. Utilise primary texts from ancient Greece and Rome to
deepen the historical perspectives presented in your research paper.
This assignment encourages students to apply historical thinking skills to analyse and
interpret current events through the lens of ancient Greek and Roman history. It promotes critical
thinking, research skills, and an appreciation for the enduring relevance of Classical history in
understanding the complexities of the contemporary world.
Students are required to submit work that they have authored and written themselves. To
complete the Research Paper, each student will research one of the subjects provided (using
suitable sources and applying the conventions of research and writing in ancient history) and
prepare a short (2000 words [+/– 10%], excluding title page, footnotes, ‘Works Cited’, and all
direct quotations) paper. Thus, your paper MUST fall between 1800 and 2200 words—taking into
account the exclusions noted above—to receive a passing grade. Papers that do not meet this
requirement will receive a failing grade. Papers must be in 12–point Times New Roman font,
double spaced, with numbered pages beginning with the first page of text. Do not number the title
page.
Your paper must include AT LEAST (this is the minimum standard for it to receive a passing
grade not a high grade) a direct reference (cited in correct Chicago Style footnote format) to at
least TWO (2) different scholarly secondary sources and ONE (1) direct reference to an ancient
literary source (cited either as a footnote or in–text citation following the standard practices of
Classicists writing in the area of ancient history). To be clear, you must direct your reader explicitly
to an edition of an ancient author and include that edition in your Works Cited to receive a passing
grade. Papers that do not meet the minimum criteria of referencing scholarly and ancient/primary
sources will receive a failing grade. All sources cited directly in the paper must be included in a
“Works Cited” list to follow the paper, formatted following the 17th edition of The Chicago
Manual of Style. Each paper must also include a title–page which MUST include the following
information:
• title
• student name
• student ID
• course code and name
• instructor name
• date submitted
• word count