Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen.

Topic Choices:

• There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated. 
• No one can say for certain what happened to the Mayan people, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
• It is believed that Queen Hatshepsut dressed as a man to gain support of the Egyptians. After her death, her successor removed as many remnants of her rule as possible. Although a pharaoh, her mummified remains and tomb have never been conclusively found.
• Tutankhamen died young, at around 18 years of age. However, his cause of death has not been confirmed. Did he die of an injury, of illness, or was he murdered?
• Considered the “Mummy’s Curse,” a series of unexplainable, unfortunate, or tragic events that happened to the people who were present at the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb. 
• The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding. It is believed that the workers were forced to remain inside the tomb when it was walled shut so they would not reveal the secrets of its construction. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate burial place?
• Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric

Write a 3-4 paragraph paper in which you:

1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
2. Identify one (1) of the theories and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.
3. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference)
• Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

ONLY ONE PAGE (300-400 WORDS )

Current Issues and Trends- Technology and Young Children (ECE 101)

Current Issues and Trends

1. Issues, Methods, prenatal development and infancy (continued)

   Language development beings with crying, cooing and babbling but these are not considered true language since they do not use symbols with specific meanings.  These sounds, though, are the beginnings of verbalization.  Here is the sequence of language development:

   1. Cooing (vowel-like sounds oooh’s and ahh’s during the 2nd month)
   2. Babbling (sounds of speech da, ba, ca etc  which do not hold any meaning, begins in 4th month)
   3. One Word Stage (1 year..usually nouns….doggie, mama etc)
   4. Two word Telegraphic speech ( 2 years …”want milk, me go” is an example)
      

      [img title=”Imported Asset” alt=”Imported Asset” src=”http://static.k12.com/eli/bb/720/4_38162/1_79796_2_38164/520edd93d91f0f220841647c7682cf96afe8a4e3/media/57a4647ac95c06327f70145c99228abdd8123eba/mediaasset_1205685_1.gif”>

   Cooing and babbling are universal and it is not until the one and two word stages that unique vocal patterns and accents emerge. Language contains three basic elements:  phonemes which are the sounds, morphemes which are the basic units of meaning and syntax which is the grammar of language.

   A psychologist named Noam Chomsky put together the language acquisition theory.  This theory states that we are born with the ability to speak. Our brains are hardwired for speech and we need to observe and imitate speech to acquire it correctly. Here again we see the nature/nurture idea.  We are born with the ability to speak (nature) but we need the environment to teach us the way to speak (nurture).

   Assignment 4-1:  There has been a lot of research and an equally large amount of money spent on teaching animals (especially apes) language.  Research some of the work done trying to teach animals language and write a 150-200 word essay to summarize the research.  What gains and losses have occurred and have we taught animals to communicate and to what extent? Please write this essay in word document and upload it to assignment 4.1 drop box.

   Rubric for Assignment 4-1

   Summary of research	5 points
   Gains and loses	5 points
   Do animals communicate? Explanation	5 points
   Overall quality of essay	5 points

This assignment uses the information you have gathered for your weekly World View Chart Assignments. Choose one (1) category (origin of all things, nature of god, view of human nature, view of good and evil, etc.) from the chart to focus on for this assignment. Consider how the selected aspect relates to each of the religions covered and to your own social or work experiences.

Write a three (3) page paper in which you:

1.  Select one (1) category from the completed World View Chart. Provide a rationale for choosing this category.

2.  Describe the selected content and explain the significance of the selected category across the religions studied.

3.  Provide one (1) specific example of how the selected category is manifested in your social environment.

4.  Use at least three (3) quality resources as references for the assignment and document your sources using APA Style for in-text citations and references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.

5.  Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.

Your assignment must:

·  Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

·  Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

·  Analyze what is meant by religion.

·  Analyze the similarities and differences in the primary beliefs held by major religious traditions and the cultures in which these religions evolved.

·  Describe the varieties of religious experience and practice in a wide range of cultures.

·  Recognize how daily life within various religions and current affairs are influenced by religion.

·  Develop written pieces that demonstrate an analysis of a topic relevant to the course.

·  Use technology and information resources to research issues in religion.

·  Write clearly and concisely about world religions using proper writing mechanics.

World View Chart  

Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us

To complete your fifth essay,  please write a three- to five-page (600-900 word) response to the  following question:

In “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” (pp. 285-301), Bill Joy expresses a powerful pessimism about the dangers of technologies that may be developed later in our century. Joy also a muted optimism about humans’ ability to use ethical principles to avoid those dangers. What are Joy’s best reasons for being pessimistic? What are his strongest reasons for expressing optimism? As you consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of those reasons, explain whether and why you find yourself more pessimistic or more optimistic about the issues that Joy raises.

Please ensure that your essay addresses each component of the question assigned question and that your answer is well- organized,  uses excellent, college-level prose, and  makes judicious use of textual evidence. 

Here is the book info:

Winston, M. E., & Edelbach, R. D. (2012). Society, ethics, and technology (4th ed. ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.