The discussion revolves around strategies for completing a history paper on the topic of how medieval and early modern Europeans attempted to order and explain their lives, focusing on sources of authority and the theme of limits and meaning of human knowledge. Participants share their experiences, suggestions, and frustrations related to writing the paper under time constraints.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to writing the paper, and there are differing opinions on the relevance of the topic to history versus literature. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective strategies for completing the assignment.
Participants express varying levels of concern about the assignment's requirements, including the implications of double-spacing and the perceived complexity of the topic. There is also uncertainty about the expectations set by the instructor, who teaches both history and English.
Students facing similar time constraints in writing history or literature papers may find the shared strategies and experiences relevant.
How did medieval and early modern Europeans attempt order and explain their lives and experiences? Which sources of authority did they consider to be most important? Which sources of authority actually exercised the strongest influence over their decisions? Please address the importance of ancient authorities (classical Greek and Roman as well as early Christian writings), the ideas of their immediate predecessors (other medieval and early modern people) and their own inspiration and innovation. What does your answer tell you about Western Civilization?heartless said:
Or more than twice...The MOONBEAR! said:
"History class" ??mattmns said:
(nothing much at all!). Given the breadth of your essay topic, 4-6 single-spaced pages is really...nothing much at all.
...bomba923 said:
8-10 pages single-spaced, mattmns?You mean like Douglas Adams, Alan Bennett, or the Monty Python group?mattmns said:
mattmns said:
Just google for it, medieval church, medieval european and feudalism. It's all simple.Assignments are usually double-spaced unless otherwise specified. It's easier on the eyes of us aging professors.bomba923 said:*By the way, mattmns:
Do your 8-12 pages have to be double-spaced?
~>In which case, your assignment is just a basic four-six page essay
And, actually, it's to leave room for comments while grading or editing. The 10-page essay is a fairly standard length, this one just seems to have some room for individual variation. 
Your teachers and professors know all those tricks already. [/size] I have about 4 pages done so far However, that means I still have 4 pages to go 
Moonbear said:
I am going to add a nice thick conclusion and maybe a few more quotes and I should have close enough to 8. Well at least 7, which will hopefully get me a B in the class, if not a C. Ahh, the thought of History being over with, almost brings a tear to my eye (tears of joy that is). I will have nothing but my major and minor left, and Russian (for fun) I know why teachers prefer double-spacing, but that doesn't mean I encourage it. (In fact, I discourage it)Moonbear said:Assignments are usually double-spaced unless otherwise specified. It's easier on the eyes of us aging professors.
Or, more relevantly, in my case:[/size]Moonbear said:And, no, don't try increasing the font size or writing long, meaningless, filler sentences that don't really say anything you couldn't have said with far less words.
[/size]. ))