Answer ONE of the following questions:

Question 1 - Writing in the Humanities

Part 1: Write a detailed answer and explanation to the following problem: If an Anthropologist from Mars were to visit an American sports event, say a baseball game, would it be able to figure out the rules of the game?

Clarifications: Let's allow the Martian to watch as many games as it wants, and lets stipulate that the games will be more or less regular games (no World Series games interrupted by earthquakes, for example). Let's also assume that the Martian is "vaguely humanoid" (in the tradition of Startrek aliens as opposed to some kind of amorphous blob or non-corporeal entity that couldn't hold a bat).

And, very clearly, we need to stipulate an informal definition of the task at hand-"figure out the rules of the game" means something on the order of, "be able to organize a sandlot game on Mars when it returns," not the more difficult task of approximating the official rules of major league baseball (so that our Martian friend need not be concerned with the exact wording of the rule about balks, for example).

Part 2: What does this problem have to do with the questions concerning academic writing we have been exploring this semester? Draw from the various readings, writings, and discussions from the semester to support your answer.

Question 2 - Writing in the Social Sciences

Read the "Classics in the History of Psychology" article, "Superstition' in the Pigeon" by B.F. Skinner (1947).

What does this article have to do with the questions concerning academic writing we have been exploring this semester? Draw from the various readings, writings, and discussions from the semester to support your answer.

Question 3 - Writing in the Natural Sciences

Go The T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. Project Website at http://www.twinkiesproject.com/ and read through each of the seven tests: the resistivity test; the gravitational response test; the radiation test; the Turing test; the rapid oxidation test; the solubility test; the maximum density test.

What does this article have to do with the questions concerning academic writing we have been exploring this semester? Draw from the various readings, writings, and discussions from the semester to support your answer.