Reading, p. 324-330, part 2

After the fall of Charlemagne's empire Europe developed the political, economic, and social systems known as feudalism and manorialism to govern people's lives. Which people (kings, nobles, knights, peasants, serfs, merchants, etc.), do you believe, benefited the most and lost the most in these types of systems?

Post by Thursday, June 4.

Reading, p. 324-330, part 1

The emergence of Europe during the Early Middle Ages saw the development of two competing interests. There was the Christian church which stepped into the power vacuum created by the collapse of Roman authority. There was also the emergence of powerful kings like Charlemagne. Based upon the reading, describe what you believe was the relationship between these two interests early during the Middle Ages.

Post by Thursday, June 4.

Reading 193-195, 197-207

Did you already read these pages?? Well go over these pages and identify what you believe was the most important accomplishment of the Islamic civilization and explain why.

Post by Thursday, May 21.

Reading, p. 191-193

Discuss the conditions that allowed Islam to explode out of the Arabian peninsula and create an empire. Consider the the religion itself and how the message made it possible to rapidly expand beyond Arabia. In your opinion, what was the most important factor in that rapid expansion?

Post by Monday, May 18.

Reading, 188-191

As you read about Islam, it should become clear that there are some fundamental differences among the three main monotheistic faiths. However, I began the unit with a brief discussion about how each religion share some commonalities. Do you think the differences are great enough to keep these three faiths from ever reconciling enough to co-exist peacefully? Explain your thoughts.

I know this is a difficult question but do not let it discourage you.

Please post a response by May 14.

Reading, p. 150-154

Christianity can be considered among the most successful religions in history. Today, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world with more than 2 billion adherents. Yet, it grew from very modest roots from a Jewish sect in a remote area of the civilized Roman world. Your text gives some reasons for the growth of this religion. Consider other factors that led to Christianity's growth and discuss what made this religion so important.

Reading, p. 25-28

Now that you have read about the Hebrew people, consider their relative importance to world history. Their story has 3 1/2 out of almost 1,000 pages in your textbook and yet some historians consider their story one of the most significant in western history. What do you think is their significance? Do these relatively powerless people even deserve a mention alongside more powerful groups, such as the Assyrians?

Please post by Tuesday, April 21.

How would you write your next essay differently?

Now that you have read through the model essay with the comments on how that student met the standards, tell me how you might improve your next common task essay. What are some of the issues you need to address? What are the elements of an essay that you need to pay particular attention to the next time? Also, reflect on how the "Task Criteria" sheet may help you improve your essay.

Please post a response by Tuesday, April 7.

Good Luck Red Sox on Opening Day, 2009!

What should the student do?

A student finds a $20 bill in the hallway of the LHS. According to each Chinese philosophy we have studied (Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism), tell us what that student should do. Be sure to include a rationale for their actions.

Please post by Friday, April 3.

Confucianism

Your textbook compares the Chinese concept of the "dao" to the Indian version of "dharma." It says these concepts can both be interpreted as duty and both have significant influence on the governing of their respective society. What other aspects of Confucianism can be related to other ideas/philosophies we have learned in this class? Then comment on humanity's interconnectedness of ideas in spite of enormous barriers and distance separating all these early civilizations.

Post by Friday, March 27.

Buddhism

Both Buddha and Jesus (of Christianity) did not preach to their followers of their divinity. Buddha, in fact, told his followers not to worship him as a god. Yet both religions depict its founder as a divine person (see the Comparative Illustration on p. 53). Comment on the followers' desire to depict their human founder as divine in art.

Post by March 20.

Hinduism

You have finished reading the text information on Hinduism and (hopefully) learned about Hinduism through my lecture. How does Hinduism help its adherents make sense of this world? What does it offer to its believers (over 900 million followers) to make it the world's third largest religion?

Post by March 18.

The Caste System

In the eyes of modern people with our generally enlightened views, we tend to consider strict social classifications with little or no opportunity for social mobility or interaction an archaic concept. We see these systems as discriminatory and racist. Comment on the social system of the Aryans, but consider how this system may have benefited them.

Post by March 17.

Ammianus and Callahan

Ammianus gives specific examples of Roman vices. He claims many Romans spent many hours drinking and gambling rather than maintaining the virtues that had been the strength of Rome. Callahan says that we Americans have developed a cheating culture. We cheat so much today that we do not even consider much of what we do as cheating.

Do you agree with Callahan? Do we all "cheat?" Should we consider students copying homework, athletes taking steroids to improve performance, or citizens hiding income to avoid paying more taxes cheating? Will this cause the United States to suffer the same fate as Rome?

Ask your parents to read the Ammianus and Callahan documents (yes, you can give your parents homework - you can even have them annotate the documents if you want) and have them post a response to this blog. I will give you extra credit if your parents get involved in this dialogue. Please have them identify themselves so I can give you credit!

Have fun!

Due by Monday, March 9. I will accept parental comments until March 10!

Why Rome Declined & Barack Obama Inauguration Address

Both of these documents discuss a shift in values for the problems in their respective societies. Sallust tells us that Rome will eventually fall unless they recapture the values of their past. Obama tells us that we need to return to traditional American values to become a strong nation again.

Do you agree with these observations that traditional values are the foundation of the strength of any nation? If you agree, tell us what values are most important for a powerful nation. If you disagree, tell us what really is needed to make a nation powerful.

Due by Friday, March 6.

Exit Ticket - Spartacus, part IV

Here is an easy blog to answer. Now that we are almost done with the movie, give me your impressions of the movie. Aside from the "hokey" nature, are you enjoying the film? Are you learning anything from it? Do you think there is enough historical accuracies to make it worth spending a week watching it in class?

Have Fun!

Exit Ticket - Spartacus, part III

At this point in the movie we know Rome had issues with its slave population in the last century BCE. From the movie itself, identify other issues that troubled Rome in this time period?

Exit Ticket - Spartacus, part II

Now it should be becoming clear about the different agendas of each of the main characters. What did Spartacus want? What was his goal? Who did he represent?

What did Marcus Licinius Crassus (the patrician guy played by Sir Laurence Olivier) want? What was his goal? Who did he represent?

What did Gracchus (the portly man with white hair) want? What was his goal? Who did he represent?

Exit Ticket - Spartacus, part I

Okay, now that you have seen the first part of this wonderful, brilliant, and groundbreaking movie (ok, perhaps I have exaggerated), comment on the social issues that might divide Rome during this late Republican era. By this point in the movie, you have been introduced to the patricians (Crassus and Glabrus), the plebeians (Lentulus Bitiatus and later Gracchus), and the working people or the slaves (Spartacus). They all have different agendas for Rome and their classes. Are these social issues irreconcilable? That is, is conflict inevitable amongst these groups?

Reading, p. 131-136 - The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

As Rome expanded their reach and influence around the Mediterranean Sea, their wealth and power grew exponentially. They became the undisputed superpower of the known world. However, it also brought tremendous unrest and your text begins the discussion of the fall of the mighty Roman Republic. Give your views on the idea that the aftermath of the Punic Wars was both "the best of times and the worst of times" for Rome.

WOW!! What a blog!! Have fun!!

Exit Ticket, 2/3/09

Briefly respond to the make-up of Roman government. Tell us if you think it makes sense and can bring about the orderly society that all humans have craved from the dawn of civilization. Please be specific identifying which elements would work and which elements would not.

Please post a response by February 4.

Reading, p 126-131

Your introductory reading on Rome gives many clues on why Rome became such a powerful state. Identify those factors that made Rome great. Then select the one factor that you believe was most important to Rome's success and explain your reason for this selection. Please be sure to read the sidebars and review the map before making your decision.

Please post by February 3.

Exit Ticket, 1/7/09

We are almost finished with Greece (Yay!). Think about their accomplishments for a few moments. After all, they gave us democracy, new views through their philosophy, advancements in the arts, Alexander's vision of a single unified culture creating a better more orderly society, etc. So now, tell me what you think was their most significant contribution to the world.

Exit Ticket, 1/6/09

Has your opinion of Alexander's "greatness" changed since learning about his efforts to build a Hellenistic world which combines the best elements of Greek and Persian culture? He was not only a conqueror but he also had a vision of a united world with a shared culture with him as its leader. Does this make him "great?"

Exit Ticket - 1/5/09

You learned about Alexander's conquest of the Persian empire in class today. Despite being vastly outnumbered by the Persians, he conquered them in 3 years by the young age of 23. Did this feat make him worthy of the title "the Great?" Explain.