Write a 500-700 word paper to expand your exploration of the question: Is the good life found in pursuing happiness?
Choose 2-3 prompts that represent different ways of knowing. For example, you might compare what you discover about the pursuit of happiness from examining 1) a photo essay, 2) the study on lottery winners, and 3) a Twitter conversation.
At least one prompt should be from our course (see our Moodle page for all of our prompts). You can use prompts from different topics and modules.
You can use only prompts from our course if you like, but we encourage you to expand to others. If you want to talk about a prompt that is from another country, culture, or language, that is welcome.
NOTE: “Prompt” does not mean topic or question. It means a specific article, video, speech, painting, composition, poem, experiment, etc.
- Write a very short introduction (approximately 3 sentences) to introduce the concept(s) you are going to examine. Include a thesis that states what your synthesis of the prompts has shown you (your main argument). Do not use an announcement like “This essay will compare X and Y.” Focus your discussion on your FINDING. Do not start with your own opinion or idea. Focus on what the PROMPTS SHOW YOU.
- Write two to three paragraphs to discuss your discoveries. Each paragraph should address one specific concept (such as “people criticizing you” or “seeing a person out of pity”). Examine how your two or three prompts shed light on this concept as it answers “Is the good life found in pursuing happiness?” Include specific quotations and details, and use the citation format of your choice. Pay attention to documentation details as part of scholarly work.
- Write a very brief conclusion that suggests how the different ways of knowing have helped you address the question and/or see the topic differently.
