So I'm taking an online Western Civilization class. I have a 2 page paper due in 3 days... That's no problem I can finish the paper tonight but I'm having a hard time figuring out what the teacher wants. I would e-mail him but I don't know how long it will take to get back to me since tomorrow is Sunday and the syllabus says 48 hour response time (which is cutting it short). Also, can't ask classmates since it's online I don't know any.  And facebook isn't an option because of how long the following is:

Check out this great website from George Mason University covering the French Revolution. Choose and report on one of the following topics located under 'Explore' (found on Louis XVI's forehead).

chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/

Topics: Social causes..., Monarchy embattled, The Enlightenment and Human Rights, Paris and Politics...., Women and the Revolution, Monarchy Falls, War, Terror and Resistance..., Slavery and the Haitian Revolution, the Napoleonic Experience, or Legacies of the Revolution.

Report on your topic in two pages minimum. Include the following:

1. Summary of your chosen topic (Include how this topic influenced the French Revolution and what was its historical legacy beyone the French revolution including our world today) 20 pts

2. Review of a primary source reading (found on the left margin of your topic essay), an image, or a song (both found under seperate topics in 'explore'). 10pts

Those are the instructions to first of two papers due this semester. What I don't understand is number 2.  Obviously, the majority of the paper is summerizing the subject and the events considering it's 2/3rds of the points. But what does he mean by 'review?' I'm thinking he wants me to critique it because the image or song option... If that's the case this assignment is so fucking stupid. A. what do I have to say about any of that. B. why do I give a shit about any of that. C. this class isn't meant to develop critical thinking such as a philosophy class would be. (And i've already had 4 of those) and D. It won't help me learn any of the material this class covers.

This is why I'm a biochem major. Most pointless writing assignments ever in most other majors.

And to make it more confusing (which is why I question if he wants to critique it) here is the rubric. "Unit review questions" are summerizing the required text book reading. So "Unit Review" and "Topic Review" would mean two different things. But it says the topic questions often ask for my opinion which I need to defend using evidence found in the text. This class hasn't covered anything on pictures or songs so that would be impossible to do. It's only given the events of history.

 Besides posting Unit Review questions for each chapter, you are also required to comeple a Topic or Web review paper. These are based around a particular topic brought up by the instructor that relates to the course;s content. Each is worth 30pts.

Unlike the Review questions your Topic questions should be in more depth (two pages in length minimum) and cited where appropriate. Topic questions often ask for your own opinion in which you are required to adequately defend using evidence found in the text or other sources.

Unlike discussion boards postings, these assignments are posted in the drop box.

REQUIREMENTS

1. answer all questions that pertain to the text under review.

2. Must be a minimum of two pages in length (12pt font, double spaced) for Reflective Essays.

3. Contains a text summery within the first paragraph.

4. Reflects good organization of ideas; good grammatical usage; correct punctuation; correct spelling and good syntax.

5. Include your name, title of class, date, and Topic question title.

6. Use citations when quoting, paraphrasing or using information not common knowledge.

To me, it sounds like he wants you to show how either a primary reading, image, OR song relates to the topic. I don't think you have to do all three. I would pick a song from the era and discuss how the lyrics represent the struggle of the time.

I believe it's saying to summarize the topic itself, as well as the reading in particular

I'm thinking I know what he wants

Im pretty sure he wants an in depth summary of the topic and then a brief review (summary) of one of those three sources. I'm thinking that because every week we have a "chapter review" and we just summarize a portion of the chapter.

Thanks for your replies. This teacher is awful. I've gotten terrible grades on his tests which are open book. When I point him to the page where it explicitly states and answers the question he refuses to do anything... For example on of his questions ask what is not the reason for increase population. The book lists a few reasons that are options such as better farming techniques and bubonic plague ending. Then there were two more options immunity to smallpox and women marrying during their childbearing years. The book explicitly states that woman marrying during their prime COULD have been a possibility if it WERE to occur. However, it did not and more women start marrying after their childbearing years and this was seen as a natural form of birth control. It makes no mention of small pox. But apperantly that's the answer.

I think your teacher wants you to discuss in detail what the source says about the french revolution and possibly how it links to the events at the time.

Off topic, but is that university work? wow that looks quite complicated and difficult from how it's worded, but not to
hard.

It's community college work but not university. The difference is (if you don't already know) community college only offers 2 year degrees while universities are 4 years. The first two years at universities are usually similar to the two years of classes that community colleges offer. The point of community college is to keep the price down. Two years at a community college is going to cost 6,000 USD or so and the last two at a university will cost me 66,000 USD. Compared to four years at a university would be 132,000 USD.

I think it just seems complicated how he worded but whatev... he'll get what he gets.

I've never heard of community college before, what one do you go to? But that is alot cheaper than university. University is a rip off in the USA, it's only a maximum £9000 ($14000) per year for 3 or 4 years in the UK lol. But from how you described community college, it's just a cheap and shorter alternative of university.

LOL @ your point. 

Bolded: yeah I wasn't sure if there were any in the UK. Community college is state funded and each district has their own. Unlike universities as long as you live in the state you'd get in state tuition cost. These smaller colleges are really just for people living in the different districts. I go to Joliet Junior College it's in Illinois and I think Joliet is the second, maybe third, biggest city after Chicago. They also deal with a lot of technical training too. Like if you want to be a mechanic/nurse/electrician.

I agree school is a complete rip off. I actually looked up schools in Ireland and such because it would have cost me just as much in tuition... but obviously the relocating expenses would be far greater. However, the price I quoted is for the school I'm transferring to so that I can finish my four year degree. It's a private school which are always more expensive than state. Also private schools don't change the rates for different students and I wanted to move somewhere that I wouldn't get a chance to otherwise. Marquette University is 32,800 USD per year. Compared to University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) would be 16,000 to 18,000 per year (but if someone out of state were to attend UIC they would be paying closer to 30k). Reason I chose Marquette is because they are offering me 21,700 USD in scholarships and grants (which you will never be offered at state funded schools). So of the 72,000 USD of tuition I will only actually be paying 22,000 or so. Also, private schools offer better education.

Private schools are only better because they get so much money pumped into them, they are only good for those who can afford them.

But, have a good time at your university