World Civilizations Honors

Can the success in rebuilding Japan be duplicated?

2006-05-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

In continuation of our class activity, please give your opinion. Can Iraq be rebuilt as successfully as Japan was? Or was Japan a unique case? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

What political system for China?

2006-04-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Now that you have a sense of Chinese history, what place does democracy have in a nation like China? Can it succeed? Why or why not? Also, consider why so many people in China voluntarily turned to communism before 1949. Try to refer to facts from throughout China's history.

Confucianism, Legalism & Daoism

2006-04-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Since we did not have much time to discuss this in class, please share your thoughts here. How would your lives be different if you (and our entire society) believed in and strictly practiced either Confucianism, legalism or Daoism? Try to be as specific as posssible. (What is something you do now that you would have to do differently? What is something you do not do now that you would have to do? etc.)

Preparation Worksheet for India Test Essay

2006-04-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Please give me your feedback on the essay preparation worksheet for the India test? In what ways was it helpful? How might it be different to help you more? Feel free to be honest.

Chinese Dynasties

2006-04-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

How might our knowledge of China's dynasties be helpful in understanding our modern world? Think of any connections you can make or lessons that can be learned. The field is wide open!

Hinduism & Buddhism

2006-03-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here is an attempt to deal with an idea we only briefly discussed in class. How might our society in the US today be different if it were influenced heavily by either Hinduism or Buddhism? As we are talking about religion here, please try to keep your comments diplomatic - I have faith in all of you!

Apartheid

2006-02-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

The following quote surely does not represent all black South Africans in the fight against apartheid, but it is a view that a significant number of people believed:

"In pursuing our struggle, cognisance must be taken of the fact that our flight is all-embracing and is against the whole system of white domination. It is therefore unwise to waste valuable time and energy at conference and conventions whose chief aim is to impose upon us a MULTI-RACIAL PROGRAMME as against a PURELY African-inspired programme....The time for consultation is over, and all that is left for us is to strike a death-blow at the monster of exploitation and white domination."

Consider this quote in the context of a struggle in which most of the world sympathized with the opponents of apartheid. Also consider how you might react hearing a similar statement from an African American in the fight against segregation in the United States in the 50s or 60s.

Essay Conferences

2006-02-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

On a different note, since I am asking everyone to give up some time to discuss your essays with me, I would like to hear your feedback. Are these conferences helpful? Do you have a better idea of what is expected of you? Is there anything else that would help you prepare for future essays? Keep in mind that it is okay to be honest, rather than merely say what you think I want to hear! And please don't suggest that I make the tests easier - that could have the wrong result....(not really, but you are in Honors, after all).

African civilizations

2006-02-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Early African civilizations are often overlooked in favor of others such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. Why do you think this is the case? Should it be the case? Use facts to justify your point of view.

Peace in the Middle East?

2006-01-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

Once you have done the reading on the formation of Israel and its aftermath, give your thoughts on the ongoing situation between Israelis and Palestinians. In particular, what opportunities for peace might have been missed since 1948, and what chances are there for peace in the foreseeable future? You might consider events of the last week or so. Keep in mind that this is a fairly sensitive issue for many people, so give your opinions, but try to keep them rooted in fact.

Egypt v. Mesopotamia, cont.

2006-01-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who would like to continue the debate we have in class, please add your arguments regarding the superiority of Egypt or Mesopotamia in any particular respects. Again, please try to respond to others' comments. And don't forget the previous post about Egyptian leaders - I am still looking for your comparisons.

Egyptian Leaders

2006-01-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Now that you are an expert on many of the great rulers of ancient Egypt, what comparisons can you make between any of them and more recent rulers? Be creative, as long as you back up your ideas with facts. Respond to others' comments when possible. And just a reminder - please make sure you write with proper capitalization, grammar, etc.

Civilization - positive or negative?

2006-01-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

We discussed in class how we have progressed from the early human period through the Neolithic Revolution to civilization. As humanity has become increasingly civilized, with all the developments that have occurred over the past 6000 years, are we truly better off in all ways? What do you think? (Be sure to react to previous comments if possible.)