Problem

Compare and contrast two of the primary sources we have discussed in the Power, Empire, and Religion Unit (i.e. Edicts of Ashoka, Bhagavad Gita, Lotus Sutra, Genesis 1, Enuma Elish, Book of Daniel, Deeds of the Divine Augustus, etc.) on the basis of their political ideologies. Situate both texts you are presenting into their respective historical contexts and explain whether they maintain the status quo, constitute resistance, or advocate revolution, and how. Although this may be a part of it, your efforts should not be primarily grounded in a literary comparison between the two texts but rather how they function within their specific political circumstances. DO NOT use two sources that we compared in class (i.e. Bhagavad Gita vs. Lotus Sutra; Genesis 1-3 vs. Enuma Elish). Your paper should contain 2 references to scholarly readings done in class that are related to the topic of power and can also rely on lectures to better round out any presentation of a text's historical milieu. Scholarly citations may include readings from Nye, Laine, Portier-Young, Lincoln, Carr, or Brent. DO NOT use sources outside of our course material. The paper should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words in length.

The best way to outline this paper may be as follows....

Introductory paragraph (introduce your texts, their discourse [status quo, resistance, and revolution], and the argument that you are making [one is more effective than the other for example])

Paragraph setting the historical context of text one

Paragraph discussing how text one is using discourse to comment on the power and empire in the time of its writing (tied to your argument)

Paragraph setting the historical context of text two

Paragraph discussing how text two is using discourse to comment on the power and empire in the time of its writing (tied to your argument)

Concluding paragraph that reinforces your argument I am in the eastern time zone, so it is almost noon here, and the assignment will need to be completed before midnight.