ACADEMIC CHALLENGE: Original Allegory

Class: Philosophy

Academic Challenge: Creating an Original Allegory

Guiding Principles:

A ConVal student’s education . . .

balances traditional knowledge and skills with innovative, real-world applications;
fosters critical thinking and problem solving, both individual and collaborative;
inspires the development of strong, internal standards of quality.

Student Expectation:

Students, in their daily interactions, will accept diversity by respecting themselves and others.

Students will actively engage themselves in the learning process.

Students will personally challenge themselves.

Students will write and speak in a clear, organized manner.

Students will access, process and apply information effectively.

Students will solve problems by utilizing and analyzing information from a variety of sources.

Students will demonstrate critical and creative thinking.

Students will use technology in management of information.

Students will work effectively with others.

NHEIAP Standard:

Students will read fluently, with understanding and appreciation.

Students will write effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Students will speak purposefully and articulately.

Students will listen and view attentively and critically.

Students will understand, appreciate, interpret, and critically analyze classical and contemporary American and British literature as well as literary works translated into English.

Students will use reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing to gather and organize information, to communicate effectively; and to succeed in educational, occupational, civic, social, and everyday settings.

The Question:	How does an allegory clarify meaning?

The Challenge:	You have read "The Allegory of the Cave" and Plato's "On Self-Discipline." It is now time to create your own allegory to explain something you believe to be true. Your original allegory paper should contain an introduction to your belief, reasoning which documents the validity of the belief (logic, quotes from great thinkers, personal experiences) and an original allegory which clarifies a main point of your reasoning or the belief itself, and a conclusion which explains how this self-knowledge will affect your actions in the future. This assignment is meant to be difficult and it is only the start of your journey to self-knowledge. Other assignments will be similar in structure, if not in content. At the end of this quest, you will have a map of your learning about philosophy, about others and about yourself. Please have the paper ready to share on September 15.

Minimum Product Standards:	The paper is word-processed. The paper contains an introduction, a personal belief, reasoning which clarifies the belief, an original allegory, and a conclusion which suggests future action. The paper is on time. The paper is shared. The paper conforms to starndard usage of the English language.

Reflective Question:	What was the most difficult part of this assignment? Why? Will it be as difficult next time?