Mansa Musa:  King of Mali's Journey to Hajj in 1312CE
Week 15.1

It is the last week of class!  Where did the time go?  Today we will be completing our investigation of Africa.  Remember that there is a map quiz on Africa this Thursday.

For Thursday's class we will begin with the map quiz and follow up with a show by students who have volunteered to show their Powerpoint Presentations.

Final grades for the course will be posted by Tuesday morning (May 15th).

Week 14.2

Today we will investigate Islam, it concepts and history.  Then we will follow the routes of Islamic expansion into Africa.  For next Tuesday, make sure you have read your book on Africa,  Next Thursday there will be a map quiz on Africa.

For exam #2 on China and Greece.  You have until next Tuesday to do exam repair.  That means  you write down the question you got wrong.  Put in the correct answer, then add two additional facts about the idea.  You can earn back half of every point you lost.

Explore:  The British Museum recently concluded an exhibit called The Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam.  The website shows some great footage and provides additional sources.  Check it out: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/past_exhibitions/2012/hajj.aspx

                                  Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
Week 14.1:

Today we will complete the Roman civilization and examine the origins of Christianity, a religion that rose during the world domination of  Imperial Rome.  For Thursday, we will begin to study Islam and follow its spead into Africa.  Please read the sections in your book on Islam and early civilizations in Africa. You will receive your last map (Africa) on Thursday and your last test, a map quiz, will be on the final day of class, Thursday, May 10th.  Also you can sign-up via e-mail to make a 3-minute presentation of your E-Portfolio Project (in PowerPoint) on the last day of class.  Volunteering to present will earn you 3 extra points for your E-Portfolio grade.

E-Portfolio Contest Update:  The deadline for applying to the contest has been extended to Wednesday, May 2.  I recommend you sumbit your E-Portfolio to at least three categories:  See, Learn, Know.

E-Portfolio evaluation.  As stated in your syllabus and online, I will begin evaluation of your E-Portfolios this evening.  As mentioned in class, I will start at the end of the roster this time and work my way up. Your PowerPoint Project is to be uploaded into your E-Portfolio by May 6th.  If you have already loaded it into your portfolio, I will grade it when I evaluate the other areas of your E-Portfolio.

                                    Julius Caesar (Louvre in Paris)
Week 13.2

Today we will complete our study of Roman civilization up to Imperial Rome. Make sure you have updated your E-Portfolios to include the activities for the Roman civilization.  Next week, we will explore both Chrisitanity and Islam.  Please read the sections in your text describing these two world religions.

Note that the due date for submissions to the E-Portfolio competition is Monday, March 30th.

                          General Hannibal of Carthage

Week 13.1

Today we will complete our study of the Roman Republic with a look at some of its greatest battles. The Punic Wars and their aftermath set the stage for transforming Rome from a republic into an empire.

For Thursday, have the primary source article either submitted via e-mail or ready to turn in during class.  Also, please note that the May 1st deadline is next Tuesday.  That is the date for the second evaluation of your E-Portfolios.  They should be complete in every category up to, and including the Roman Civilization.  Projects are to be loaded by May 6th.

                                 Founding Myth of Rome: Romulus and Remus

Week 12.2

Today we will plunge into our investigation of the Roman civilization.  Please makes sure your readings are complete for this civilization. For next Thursday, we will discuss our Primary Source for Rome: Livy: The Roman Way of Declaring War: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/650livy1-34.asp

For next Tuesay, we will take our second exam on the cultures of China and Greece.  Be prepared to continue with the lecture after the exam.  Also, begin work on your E-Portfolio submissions for the Roman civilization.

News:

The First Annual BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest Deadline: April 30

To submit an ePorfolio to be considered for the BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest you will need to join the appropriate Community within Digication. The following links will connect you to the Community for the category in which you intend to compete. You may submit your ePortfolio in as many categories as you think appropriate.

NOTE: If you have more than one ePortfolio connected with your name then please provide the TITLE of your submission in the discussion area.

Submission deadline: Monday, April 30, 2012

Category see https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74013

Category learn https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74014

Category be https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74015

Category do https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74016

Category know https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74017

Winning ePortfolios will be showcased on Monday, May 7, 6–8:00 p.m. D-Lounge

The BEST representative of each category wins a $100 prize.

see:     Showcase of Mastery in a Discipline

learn:   Appreciation for Diversity

be:      Reflection on the Learning Process
do:      Evidence of Community Engagement
know: Demonstration of Critical Thinking

For more information please contact Professor Ted Carlson at rcarlson@bhcc.mass.edu .

At BHCC, electronic portfolios provide vehicles for students to display and reflect on written, visual, audio, and other work they create as part of their college experience. ePortfolio is a key component of LifeMap, an integrated system that supports students in achieving their educational, career and life goals.

Week 12.1  The Battle of Marathon

The Persian Empire over the years expanded to the Mediterrean Sea. In the process some Greek settlements were conquered. Ionia was one such settlement. After many years, they tried to revolt against the Persians but the uprising was immediately squashed by the powerful Persian Army. By the year 490 B.C., the Persian Army was ready to expand their territory and move into Europe. They landed a large force just outside of Athens on the plains of Marathon and prepared for attack.


The Role of Phidippides

The Athens, vastly outnumbered, desperately needed the help of Sparta's military base to help fend off the attack. Time was short, so the Athenian generals send Phidippides to Sparta to ask for help. The 140 mile course was very mountainous and rugged. Phidippides ran the course in about 36 hours. Sparta agreed to help but said they would not take the field until the moon was full due to religious laws. This would leave the Athenians alone to fight the Persian Army. Phidippides ran back to Athens (another 140 miles!) with the disappointing news. Immediately, the small Athenian Army (including Phidippedes) marched to the plains of Marathon to prepare for battle.


The Battle of Marathon

The Athenian Army was outnumbered 4 to 1 but they launched a suprise offensive thrust which at the time appeared suicidal. But by day's end, 6400 Persian bodies lay dead on the field while only 192 Athenians had been killed. The surviving Persians fled to sea and headed south to Athens where they hoped to attack the city before the Greek Army could re-assemble there.

Phidippides was again called upon to run to Athens (26 miles away) to carry the news of the victory and the warning about the approaching Persian ships. Despite his fatigue after his recent run to Sparta and back and having fought all morning in heavy armor, Phidippides rose to the challenge. Pushing himself past normal limits of human endurance, the reached Athens in perhaps 3 hours, deliverd his message "Nike" (victory) and then died from exhaustion.