For week 1:
Let’s begin by discussing why we study history in the first place. We should also lay some groundwork for differentiating between primary and secondary sources.
Why study history? What can we learn by studying history?
How reliable are primary sources?
Should we consider the “source” of a primary source when determining its value?
In other words, do we take the primary source at face value or consider the time period and the personal opinions of the author?
Read the excerpts from Confucius at the end of Chapter 1, 99 Famous Sayings attributed to Confucius.Links to an external site.
Why did his writings have such an impact on Chinese society?
Why do the teachings resonate today? Provide specific examples from the text.
Cite your sources in APA (or Chicago) format.
Discussion Post #2:
After reading the two chapters on world history from 1300-1600 and watching the Crash Course video, what patterns (or themes) do you note?
We’ve already mentioned trade, but are there other themes you’ve already observed? Provide three specific examples that illustrate this theme and make brief comparisons among these examples.
Themes could include religious or political thought, demographic changes, political climates or types of government, etc.
For week #2: Chapter 4 provides an introduction offering a summary of the building of European nation-states, but then spends the the next three sections discussing their roles in colonization. Focusing on the colonization portion of the readings, and the two provided videos, I am tasking you to continue to practice analyzing themes and patterns in World History.
Identifying a theme from and provide three specific examples that illustrate how this theme can be seen throughout this era.
Make brief comparisons (similarities) among each of your specific examples.
Be sure to site your sources. (You might find a few interesting ones in the Slave Voyages site!)
Make sure to use your Themes in World History ‘cheat sheet’ to assist your theme selection (available in the module resources).
Discussion Post #2: We can learn a lot about the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade by interpreting primary sources.
Answering the following questions using at least three primary sources that you have located within the Slave VoyagesLinks to an external site. site as supportive evidence of your argument.
How did the Slave Trade affect West African kingdoms?
How would an enslaved person experienced transport on these ships?
In what ways does the history of the African slave trade affect the people of Africa today?
For Week #3: The later part of Chapter 4 & 5 have helped us examine the roots of the Atlantic revolutions and better understand how they transformed the late 1700s and 1800s. Focusing on these concepts, we are going to practice comparing and contrasting in preparation for your essay (due Module 5). I think you will notice that as you are selecting these comparisons (specifically similarities) they are really similar to our work identifying themes.
After reading the texts for this week, please answer the following questions:
How do the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions compare?
Select two of the revolutions above and compare and contrast them. (Identify three comparisons (either 2 similarities and 1 difference, or 1 similarities and 2 differences).
Provide at least one specific example per comparison that illustrates how this these can be seen in in this era.
Please cite those sources in APA format.
