answer has to be from the primary sources

– need it before 11:30 pm DEC 3

Objectives:

One of the skills learned in history courses is to gather data and analyze that data looking for patterns of continuity and change. In order to more readily trace these patterns, this course has used the following themes: State Formation, Gender Relationships, Economy, and Global Connections. This essay is designed to assess students’ ability to interpret the history of Western Civilization through the use of primary and secondary sources, demonstrate college level writing, use and cite primary and secondary sources.

Instructions:

Choose one question below and answer by writing a brief analytical essay. The essay should have a clear thesis and main points supported by properly cited primary source evidence. Essays should be uploaded via Canvas no later than 11:59 PM Tuesday 3 Dec 2019. This assignment is 15% of your overall grade in the course.

The essay should be 750-1000 words. The essay format should be double—spaced, using a standard size font and margins (12-point Times New Roman font with standard 1-inch margins). Please see the MLA handbook for guidelines on citing and formatting. The first page of the assignment should include your name, essay title, and the number of the question you are answering. MLA citation guide can be found on-line: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html

Questions:

1. Power and authority: Compare the rise of social hierarchies within European history beginning with the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Early Greek (Minoans and Mycenaeans) civilizations to European society in the mid-15th century. How did those holding power maintain or negotiate their authority with those who were nearer the bottom of the hierarchy? Provide specific examples from three periods studied throughout the course that can be supported by primary sources.
2. Culture and identity: In this class we discussed the exchange of culture and ideas that took place through trade and war. How is this cultural exchange represented in the primary sources throughout the course? What comparisons can you make between the cultural exchanges of early civilizations (example: ancient Greek) to those of the Late Medieval/Renaissance period? Provide specific examples from three periods studied throughout the course that can be supported by primary sources.
3. Gender Roles: Compare the role of women in society throughout the period covered in this course (Mesopotamia to roughly 1500). What was the role of women in society in the Late Medieval-Renaissance Period? How and why has it changed from Ancient Civilizations? What about women’s roles have remained consistent throughout the period of history covered in this course? Be sure to use specific examples from primary sources to support your response.

Please note that you will need to provide evidence from primary source material from each period indicated—one example from “period 1”(Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, 3000 BCE to the end of the Hellenistic Period, 30 BCE), one example from “period 2” (The Rise of the Roman Republic, 753 BCE to the Heirs of Rome, 750 CE), and one example from “period 3” (From Centralization to Fragmentation–Charlemagne and the Rise of Islam, 750 CE through the Late Medieval Crisis and Renaissance, 1492).

Additional instructions and information:

The most important thing for you to do in your paper is to present an argument as a specific answer to the question given above. Your paper must also focus on the primary source texts. This means that you should read your document carefully, think about it, and form your own point of view about the topic. Once you have your argument, you will want to organize your essay as follows: an introduction, supporting or body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction be sure to clearly state your thesis statement. The thesis statement clearly states your argument and is the central idea that organizes the rest of your essay. In the supporting or body paragraphs you will prove your thesis statement and support your argument with evidence. Be sure to start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph. Clearly explain to the reader how the evidence you provide supports your argument.

All evidence you use in your paper, whether directly quoted or paraphrased, must be cited properly. For this assignment, please use the MLA for citing sources. Do not use any outside sources (encyclopedias, internet); this assignment assesses your critical thinking and writing skills. Evidence should be based on course material only, especially primary sources. The use of the textbook as a secondary source (though technically a tertiary source) is acceptable as well.

Please review the policies on Academic Honesty summarized on the course syllabus and college catalog. Any act of plagiarism, collusion, or cheating will be acted upon according to the policies of the college. Please see the instructor if you have any questions.