For this paper you will develop an interpretive essay based on your reading of Freud, McGowan, and/or Lacan.

Length: 4 pages, typed, double-spaced.

Citation: Use MLA format.

Requirements:

Thesis. Your essay must be governed by a thesis that (a) responds directly to the essay topic, (b) is arguable, and (c) is stated at the end of the first paragraph having clearly defined all the central terms.

Textual Support. Your thesis must be supported by major interpretive claims (topic sentences) that are supported by at least one appropriate quote or allusion per body paragraph. Your ability to select, interpret, and apply the appropriate textual evidence is key to doing well with the essay. Additionally, you should illustrate your argument with at least one example drawn from your own life, observations, or engagement with other texts, movies, plays, etc.

Reasoning. You must consistently use and apply logical reasoning in developing your thesis.

Writing.Your essay must be written well. There should be no awkward sentences, rough transitions between paragraphs, incoherent paragraphs, extraneous information/unnecessary sentences, typos, or stylistic errors.

Topics: Choose one of the topics below.

1. Desire. What is desire? What role does it play in human experience? How is it different from other experiences (e.g., “pleasure” and possibly “love”)? Develop your own “theory of desire” based on your reading of Freud, Lacan, and/or Plato. You need not agree with Freud, Lacan, and Plato, but your paper MUST REFLECT A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE THEORIES OF DESIRE in those texts. Using this theory of desire, analyze the role of desire (as you have presented it) in one or more of the following: The Odyssey, Between the World and Me, Fun Home.
2. Erotic Truth. Bechdel describes “erotic truth” as “a rather sweeping concept.” What does she mean by erotic truth? Using at least two other texts/films assigned for this class, one of which MUST BE FREUD, LACAN, OR PLATO, write an essay in which you explore the possible meanings of this phrase, “erotic truth” (as Bechdel seems to be using it).
3. Race. Explain Coates’ account of race. What does he think it is? Why does it take the shape it does in our culture? Then analyze and evaluate this theory using at least one of the theory texts (Freud, Lacan, Plato).
4. The Gods. Explain the significance of the Homeric gods. Your analysis should include an explanation of Heidegger (and Dreyfus and Kelly). DO NOT WRITE A MIDDLE-SCHOOL STYLE PAPER WHERE YOU JUST SAY “THE GODS CONTROL EVERYTHING.” (That would be ridiculous.)
5. In Homer, is it a good thing to following the leading of the Gods? Explain your position. Acknowledge the rationale for taking the opposite view. Support your claims with examples from The Odyssey,
6. Fate. Explain the Homeric understanding of “fate.” Illustrate this understanding with examples from The Odyssey. Compare this Homeric idea with a major concept from Freud, Lacan, Plato, or Beginners.
7. The Political. Use the theoretical works (Freud, Lacan, and/or Plato) to develop a theory of “the political.” In other words, what forces govern our political interactions? What problems emerge? What solutions might we propose? Illustrate the effectiveness of your theory with examples from The Odyssey, Fun Home, and/or Between the World and Me.
8. For Freud (and Lacan) antagonism is central to the life of “the subject.” Based on your reading of one of the narrative texts for this course (The Odyssey, Fun Home, and Between the World and Me) write an essay in which you evaluate the effectiveness of this “antagonism” thesis.
9. The Attuning Ones. What did Heidegger mean by calling the gods the “attuning ones.?” Write an essay in which you explain, analyze, and evaluate this claim in terms of your reading of The Odyssey. (This is similar to “The Gods” topic, but requires you to focus on this particular theoretical claim.)

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1349 Words

MLA