Library Research Assignment

In this assignment, you will be working in a group of three or four students, doing library research on the topic of infinity.  This exercise will give you some practice in using the resources of the library, and also give you an opportunity to work on your writing.  You may choose your own group members.  Each group should choose one of the three following approaches to our topic:

  • Cross-cultural:  How is the topic of infinity understood or approached in different cultures?  Your group will choose a different culture for each group member to investigate.  Please try to choose a wide variety of cultures, from such possibilities as African, Asian, Native American and Western culture.
  • Historical:  How has the topic of infinity been understood or approached at various times in Western culture, dating from antiquity to modern times?  Your group should choose a distinct time period for each group member to investigate. 
  • Disciplinary:  How is the topic of infinity understood or approached in modern Western culture, by people working in different disciplines?  Your group will choose a different discipline for each group member to investigate.  Such disciplines as philosophy, religion, non-mathematical science, graphic art and literature might be good choices.

 

Once your group has chosen its approach, it should proceed as follows:

    1. As a group, look for library resources appropriate to your approach.  You should at least find as sources a site on the internet, a popular magazine, a scholarly journal and a book, which cover the various different cultures, or time periods or disciplines you are examining.
    2. Each individual member of the group should then take one source, and write a paragraph (about 400 words) describing the view of infinity reflected in it.
    3. The group should then reconvene, and prepare a summary and comparison of what you found, in no more than one page.

This assignment’s aim is not to produce a comprehensive paper examining your approach to the topic of infinity in detail, but is instead intended to provide you with a framework for the research necessary, should you wish to write such a paper.

Each student’s paragraph of writing will be graded independently, and in addition a group grade will be given for the written summary, and the appropriateness of the sources you choose.  Pay particular attention to the quality and clarity of your writing.  For help with your writing, please consult with me or the Writing Center. 

This assignment is due on Monday morning, October 14th.