Discussions
Module 4 Discussion 1 (Content): The Carolingian Empire, the Culture of the Middle Ages, and the Crusades
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Overview
In this discussion, we will explore some of the most important characteristics and events of the Middle Ages, including a brief renaissance, the Crusades, and the rise of medieval monarchies.
Outcomes
1. Describe the religious, political, social, and economic characteristics of the Carolingian Empire. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
2. Identify and evaluate the successes and failures of the major personalities of the Early Middle Ages. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
3. Analyze the culture of the Middle Ages including the peasants, the knights and courts, and religious reform movements. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
4. Evaluate the rebirth of commerce and urban society. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
5. Trace the development of medieval monarchies. Discuss their successes and failures. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
By Thursday, Mar. 25, select one (only one!) topic from the below and write a response to the prompt by the initial post due date.
Option 1: Using at least two sources (primary or secondary sources) as evidence, explain what you believe to be the most important of Charlemagne’s reforms and why. You may focus on any aspect—military, monetary, political, cultural, or ecclesiastical—but choose only one.
Option 2: Based on at least one primary and one secondary source (not your eText) pretend you are a resident of the High or Late Middle Ages (1000–1500 CE). Be gender specific and clearly identify your class (Estate). Write a description of your typical day and explain how you interact with the other Estates. (Note: You must include ALL three Estates in your description for full credit). Identify major historical events (with supporting evidence) that have impacted or transformed your life. Finally, make sure you identify your geographical location (i.e. England, France) and approximate year in your description.
Option 3: Using at least two primary sources (some have been listed for you on the Module 4 Resource page), explain the motivations for the Crusades. For example, were they caused by religious devotion, a desire for political or monetary gain, or something else? Name one positive and one negative outcome of the Crusades for Medieval Europe. Would you evaluate the Crusades as a success or a failure, and why?
Make sure you use evidence from the sources and source types noted in your prompt to support your points. You may use sources other than those found in the Module 4 Recommended Resources page, but you should write at least 200 words in your post.
By Sunday, Mar. 28, reply to at least two other students’ (or your instructor’s) posts with substantive responses of at least 100 words each.
See the Schedule in the Syllabus Module for due dates and the Rubric attached to this Discussion for grading information.
Module 4 Discussion 2 (Content): 14th Century Crises
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Overview
In this discussion, we will look at the three major events of the 14th Century that led to crises.
Outcomes
5. Trace the development of medieval monarchies. Discuss their successes and failures. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
6. Examine the rise of Central Europe as a stage of cultural and political action. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
7. Identify the Hundred Years’ War, Black Death, and Great Schism and analyze their importance to the Middle Ages and the development of a modern state. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
By Thursday, Apr. 1, select one (only one!) topic from the below and write a response to the prompt by the initial post due date.
Option 1: Based on at least one secondary source (not your eText), describe the three phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Explain the role of Joan of Arc in the war. Make sure you identify the root causes and the final results. Is a war over territory or religion more devastating, in your opinion? Why?
Option 2: Of the three major events in the 14th century—the Hundred Years’ War, the Black Death, and the Great Western Schism—which had more impact on the people of the time and why? How did these events lead to the rise of a more modern state? Use evidence from at least two sources (primary or secondary—not your eText) to justify your answer.
Option 3: Based on at least two sources (primary or secondary—not your eText), explain why the Great Western Schism was so important to the history of Western Civilization. How was this event viewed by the people of Europe and who ultimately benefited? Make sure you address the conflict between secular and ecclesiastic power in your response.
Make sure you use evidence from the sources and source types noted in your prompt to support your points. You may use sources other than those found in the Module 4 Recommended Resources page, but you should write at least 200 words in your post.
By Sunday, Apr. 4, reply to at least two other students’ (or your instructor’s) posts with substantive responses of at least 100 words each.
See the Schedule in the Syllabus Module for due dates and the Rubric attached to this Discussion for grading information.
Module 4 Discussion 3: Wow! Lesson
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Overview
The WOW discussion is an opportunity to share with the class something that surprised you in your reading, research, or study of the topics we cover in this module. As you read and watch the stories that make up our history, look for things that make you say to yourself “I didn’t know that” or “WOW! That’s cool!”. You will convert this fun fact or pertinent point into a mini-lesson on the topic and share it with your peers in this discussion.
This assignment is designed to help you develop an internal dialogue while reading and studying history. An internal dialogue while reading makes us more effective readers and efficient learners, as it improves understanding and memory of story told in the text.
Outcomes
1. Describe the religious, political, social, and economic characteristics of the Carolingian Empire. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
2. Identify and evaluate the successes and failures of the major personalities of the Early Middle Ages. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
3. Analyze the culture of the Middle Ages including the peasants, the knights and courts, and religious reform movements. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
4. Evaluate the rebirth of commerce and urban society. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
5. Trace the development of medieval monarchies. Discuss their successes and failures. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
6. Examine the rise of Central Europe as a stage of cultural and political action. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
7. Identify the Hundred Years’ War, Black Death, and Great Schism and analyze their importance to the Middle Ages and the development of a modern state. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
WOW! Lesson
1. While reading the eText and explorations, as well as watching the video clips in this module, write down several WOW “I didn’t know that” or “That’s amazing!” facts.
2. Select one WOW! fact that you noted and write at least 3 critical thinking** questions about this topic. **Critical thinking questions are questions that require you to analyze information and form a judgment. Questions such as “When was X born?” are not critical thinking questions.
3. Research and find the answers to your WOW! fact questions. If you can’t find a definitive answer to a question, look for interesting related topics and list them as your answer.
4. Use your questions and answers to build a WOW! lesson for your classmates (as described below). This may be the only thing your classmates learn about your WOW! fact, and you are the teacher, so please be thorough!
Formatting
1. At the top of your discussion post, state the WOW! fact (as a quote or paraphrase) followed by an in-text citation of your fact’s source. Use in-text citation (not bibliographic citation) in APA, MLA, or Chicago Style format.
2. Write a paragraph (3–5 sentences in addition to your quote or paraphrased information) about why that information excited you or why you found it interesting.
3. Below the paragraph, list each WOW! fact question followed immediately by your researched answer of at least a paragraph in length (3 sentences minimum). Each answer should also include an in-text citation or note in APA, MLA or Chicago Style format. (Note: this is a total of at least 4 in-text citations in your post and quotations should be used minimally in your answers or not at all).
4. Include a bibliographic list (References, Works Cited, or Bibliography as appropriate) for all the sources you used for research. Remember these should be appropriate research resources—no tertiary sources.
WOW Examples
• Example WOW APA
• Example WOW MLA
• Example WOW Chicago Style
Posting
1. By Thursday, Apr. 8, post your 300+ word WOW! lesson to the discussion to share with classmates. (While your instructor reads posts and shares comments as necessary, this discussion is intended to be a student-led conversation.)
2. By Sunday, Apr. 11, respond to at least two classmates’ WOW assignments with two additional questions each to keep the discussion moving forward. Your responses should be 100+ words each and both reflective and respectful as you pose your questions.
3. Reply to any questions asked of your WOW! thread.
4.
See the Schedule in the Syllabus Module for due dates and the Rubric attached to this Discussion for grading information.
Module 5 Discussion 3 (Content): Reformation, Counterreformation, and Religious Wars
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Overview
Between 1555 and 1648, Europe endured nearly a century of war. In this discussion, you will either look at the causes leading up to this century of war (the Reformation), or one of the wars itself.
Outcomes
3. Examine the Intellectual Reformation particularly in relation to the Religious Reformation. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
4. Examine and evaluate the causes of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
5. Discuss and analyze the cause and effects of the French Wars of Religion, the Revolt of the Netherlands, and the Thirty Years’ War from 1618–1648. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
By Thursday, Apr. 22, select one (only one!) topic from the below and write a response to the prompt by the initial post due date.
Option 1: Based on at least two sources (primary or secondary), assess the Reformation and Counterreformation. (Your eText is not a secondary source!) In your assessment, make sure you address the following questions:
• What role did individualism play in reformation?
• Was the Reformation (both Protestant and Counterreformation) a natural consequence of the Renaissance? Why or why not?
• Was the Reformation necessary for the development of Europe into a modern state? Why or why not?
• What were the achievements and failures of each?
Option 2: Based on at least one secondary source (not your eText), select one of the wars that fell between 1555–1648. Describe the following about your selected conflict:
• What were the causes of the war you selected and what were the results. How does the war you selected relate to the various reformations examined in this module, directly or indirectly?
• What social or world conflict that has happened in your lifetime shares similar characteristics with the war you selected? Compare and contrast the modern event to its historical counterpart.
Make sure you use evidence from the sources and source types noted in your prompt to support your points. You may use sources other than those found in the Module 5 Recommended Resources page, but you should write at least 200 words in your post.
Module 6 Discussion 1 (Content): The Modern State and the Scientific Revolution
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Overview
In this discussion you will either assume the role of a European subject in England, France, Russia or Prussia during the 17th century to examine royal power and justification, or you will discuss the achievements of the Scientific Revolution.
Outcomes
1. Examine social and economic conditions of Early Modern Europe. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
2. Discuss the rise and justification of absolute monarchial power and constitutional monarchies. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
3. Review the ideas, discoveries, and cultural changes, which evolve into the Scientific Revolution. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
By Thursday, Apr. 29, select one (only one!) topic from the below and write a response to the prompt by the initial post due date.
Option 1: Based on at least one primary or secondary source (not your eText), for this option you will role play. Assume the role of a fictional resident in one of the following royal states during the 17th century: England, France, Russia or Prussia. Then, answer the following questions:
• What contributed to rise of your royal state and how did your monarch justify his/her power? Make sure to use the specific terms discussed in this module.
• How did you and your fellow countrymen participate or react to these changes and why?
• Make sure to identify your specific role (peasant, clergy, noble, merchant, etc.) and country in your response and don’t forget to include historical details such as the monarch’s name, and the date.
Option 2: Answer the following questions:
• What were the two most important discoveries of the early years (ending in 1650) of the Scientific Revolution and why?
• What made the Scientific Revolution so revolutionary?
• Was this event also a natural consequence of the Renaissance, similar to the Protestant Reformation, or was it the result of some other change in thinking?
• If it was the result of some other change, what change would that be?
• Base your response on at least two sources (primary or secondary).
Make sure you use evidence from the sources and source types noted in your prompt to support your points. You may use sources other than those found in the Module 6 Recommended Resources page, but you should write at least 200 words in your post.
Module 6 Discussion 2: Wow! Lesson
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Overview
The WOW discussion is an opportunity to share with the class something that surprised you in your reading, research, or study of the topics we cover in this module. As you read and watch the stories that make up our history, look for things that make you say to yourself “I didn’t know that” or “WOW! That’s cool!”. You will convert this fun fact or pertinent point into a mini-lesson on the topic and share it with your peers in this discussion.
This assignment is designed to help you develop an internal dialogue while reading and studying history. An internal dialogue while reading makes us more effective readers and efficient learners, as it improves understanding and memory of story told in the text.
Outcomes
1. Examine social and economic conditions of Early Modern Europe. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
2. Discuss the rise and justification of absolute monarchial power and constitutional monarchies. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
3. Review the ideas, discoveries, and cultural changes, which evolve into the Scientific Revolution. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
WOW! Lesson
1. While reading the eText and explorations, as well as watching the video clips in this module, write down several WOW “I didn’t know that” or “That’s amazing!” facts.
2. Select one WOW! fact that you noted and write at least 3 critical thinking** questions about this topic. **Critical thinking questions are questions that require you to analyze information and form a judgment. Questions such as “When was X born?” are not critical thinking questions.
3. Research and find the answers to your WOW! fact questions. If you can’t find a definitive answer to a question, look for interesting related topics and list them as your answer.
4. Use your questions and answers to build a WOW! lesson for your classmates (as described below). This may be the only thing your classmates learn about your WOW! fact, and you are the teacher, so please be thorough!
Formatting
1. At the top of your discussion post, state the WOW! fact (as a quote or paraphrase) followed by an in-text citation of your fact’s source. Use in-text citation (not bibliographic citation) in APA, MLA, or Chicago Style format.
2. Write a paragraph (3–5 sentences in addition to your quote or paraphrased information) about why that information excited you or why you found it interesting.
3. Below the paragraph, list each WOW! fact question followed immediately by your researched answer of at least a paragraph in length (3 sentences minimum). Each answer should also include an in-text citation or note in APA, MLA or Chicago Style format. (Note: this is a total of at least 4 in-text citations in your post and quotations should be used minimally in your answers or not at all).
4. Include a bibliographic list (References, Works Cited, or Bibliography as appropriate) for all the sources you used for research. Remember these should be appropriate research resources—no tertiary sources.
WOW Examples
• Example WOW APA
• Example WOW MLA
• Example WOW Chicago Style
Posting
1. By Thursday, Apr. 29, post your 300+ word WOW! lesson to the discussion to share with classmates. (While your instructor reads posts and shares comments as necessary, this discussion is intended to be a student-led conversation.)
2. By Sunday, May 2, respond to at least two classmates’ WOW assignments with two additional questions each to keep the discussion moving forward. Your responses should be 100+ words each and both reflective and respectful as you pose your questions.
3. Reply to any questions asked of your WOW! thread.
See the Schedule in the Syllabus Module for due dates and the Rubric attached to this Discussion for grading information.
Module 6 Discussion 3 (Reflection): What Did You Think?
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Overview
In this discussion, you will once again reflect on your learning for the term. Share what has surprised you in Western Civilization from pre-history to 1650.
Outcome
4. Assess your learning during the term and the nature of Western Civilization. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K)
Instructions
By Wednesday, May 5, as with the Reflection statement in Module 3, this is an opportunity to reflect on your learning.
• How would you summarize your learning this term?
• What was your overall course experience like?
• Reflect upon your participation.
• Did you like the digital materials?
• What is the single most interesting or surprising thing you learned about Western Civilization from pre-history to 1650?
• Have your views on the nature of Western Civilization and its history changed this semester?
You should write at least 150 words in your post.
