Homework for the weekend of February 28

Over the weekend, read James Loewen's chapter on Christopher Columbus from his book Lies My Teacher Told Me, which is linked up here.

It is long-ish, and there are paper copies in my room if you would prefer to read it on paper rather than on the screen.

After you've read it, post on your blog your reaction to what he wrote.  Do you find his argument convincing?  Then look at how Bentley and Ziegler present Columbus; did they do what Loewen accuses textbooks of doing, or do B & Z do it better?

The absolutism powerpoint with the Russian leaders is linked up here for your reference.

Powerpoints from today and homework for February 27

For tonight, read pages 617-623, and 637-642 in the textbook.

The powerpoints from today's class are linked up here and here.

Homework for February 26

For tonight, skim pages 598-617 to get a sense of the European "exploration"

1421; homework for February 25

For tonight, watch the video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/4yK-9hxk5HY

Start at 56:42 and end at 1:21:35. (feel free to watch all of it if you like...)

On your blog post an answer to this question: Do you buy Menzies' argument that Zheng He's fleet made it to North America? Evaluate the evidence he offers and explain why or why not?

Welcome back! Homework for February 24

For tonight, take a look at websites that depict the voyages of two explorers: Ibn Battuta and Admiral Zheng He.

Both websites have a number of resources to help you know a bit more about these two men and their travels in the world.

As you peruse the sites, have two questions in mind: 1) is this guy a normal, average, everyday person for his time period? and 2) if given the opportunity to travel as extensively as these two did, would you take it?  We will talk about them in class tomorrow.

February Vacation assignment

Over the vacation, read chapter 22 in the textbook.  Pay closer attention to the information about the plague and the recovery from the plague.

Then, you have the book/movie report, the rubric and assignment sheet were posted yesterday!

And enjoy your vacation!

Homework for February 12

For homework tonight, read the document on page 560 and post an answer to the italicized question on your blog.

The instructions for the February Break book/movie assignment is posted here, and the rubric for it is posted here.  It is the same as the past vacation book assignments.

Homework for February 11

For tonight, read pages 555-559 in the book.

Don't forget to get your checks in for the AP exam(s) you are taking!  They need to be to guidance by Friday at the end of the day!

homework for Feb 10

For tonight, read in the textbook pages 540-549.

You will have a book/movie project over vacation; same format as before, and will be due by the start of class on Monday the 24th when we return.

Homework for the weekend of February 7

For homework this weekend:

1) There will be (at long last...) a Change Over Time essay on Monday.  The topic will be Europe, chapters 17 and 20.

2) Before we move along from the Crusades, on your blog, post: Do you think it would be possible for the Europeans (if you read their documents) to have a positive/complimentary view of the Muslims? If you read the Muslim documents, would it be possible for them to have a positive/complimentary view of the Europeans? Why or why not?

3) Read in the textbook pages 539-540, focus on Bentley and Ziegler's transmission of the work of Bernal Diaz del Castillo.  Then read what he had to say for himself on Project Gutenberg's website: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32474/32474-h/32474-h.htm#CHAPTER_XCII. (you can also find it in the Project Gutenberg app, if you prefer...) Chapter XCII is the passage B&Z draw from for their introduction to Chapter 21.  Be ready to talk about if you think they relayed it accurately, or if you think they missed the mark at any point. What tone is set for you, the reader, by their choice of this selection? Was that a good choice or a bad choice, in your view?

Reasoning with St. Thomas for homework, February 4th

For the reading tonight (or during a snowy February afternoon), go to the Internet History Sourcebook, located at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/aquinas3.asp. This selection features St. Thomas arguing for the proof of the existence of God.  Read through the selection and see if you can understand his argument.

We will have a COT essay in class on Friday!  It will be drawn from Europe, so Chapters 20 and 17 in the textbook.

Homework for Monday, February 3

Tonight, read pages 529-534, about Europe's initial expansion activities and the Crusades...