Discussion: Versailles, Velázquez, and Rubens
Answer all of the questions listed below--
Versailles contains symbols of power and absolute monarchy. Pick a feature of the palace you admire and explain how you would use this as a setting for a computer program or game. What would happen in this setting? Who would be featured in the game (the king? the queen? noblemen?). Use the text as a source and research on line for a computer program to discuss. Consider the gardens, Hall of Mirrors, the layout of the palace itself, the furniture, the number of rooms, and paintings.
Review the article: How to Make a Game: A Beginner's Guide by Yasmin Curren
Give us the name of your selection for Assignment One and explain why you chose that one. There are writings by Descartes, Voltaire, Swift, or Dickens ( choose only one author and selection).
Topic Choices:
Reading selection from Descartes' Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument.
Read : Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting one’s Reason and Seeking Truth in the Sciences by Rene Descartes
Reading selection of Swift's A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization.
Read: A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick (1729) by Jonathan Swift
Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire's Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization.
Assignment : Essay (additional topic choice) Dickens and Social Criticism: What Price Progress?
Chose one of the four reading selections by Charles Dickens from the textbook, as listed below, then answer the questions :
Old Curiosity Shop
Sketches by Boz
Dombey and Son
Hard Times.