Odysseus and the Sirens

Thursday, November 17, 2011

We have begun to discuss Greece, and how many layers we need to address!
After a discussion of the physical geography, we moved to the Minoans and Mycenean civilizations.  This coming Tuesday, we will discuss the Dark Ages of Greece and then move on to Archaic Greece.  In addition to presenting new information, we will begin our discussion cycle.  Please have the following prepared for Tuesday:

1. Threads about Greek culture - specifically on the Archaic Period if possible.
2. Primary sources - read the following article: Archaic Age and the Polis,  focus on the first three topics: The Dark Ages, The Rise of the Polis, and Colonization

Note:  Professional Development Day has been announced and all classes on Tuesday, Nov. 29th from 11:30 - 3:50 are cancelled.

So our next class after Thanksgiving will meet on Thursday, Dec. 1st. The  Critical Thinking Question for Greece is due that day.  Here is the question:

The culture of Sparta, after Lycurgean Reform,  allowed for (according to current western view) harsh social standards such as the killing of unhealthy infants, the severe military education of young boys, and the strict code of combat or glorious death on the battle field ("Come home with your shield or on it!").  Discuss factors that may have influenced the development of such a military culture.
 

                               Terracotta Soldiers of the Qin Dynasty

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Today we dug deeper into the early dynasties of ancient China.  After a map quiz on geographical China, we completed study of the Zhou and the 250-year Warring States Period that brought the end to the Zhou dynasty.  Emerging from civil war, the Qin were successful in consolidating power and uniting the warring regions into China's first empire. We then had a student presentation about Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor in China. The picture above is of some of the thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses that he had buried in his mausoleum. Although the Qin dynasty lasted only 15 years, it's impact on nation building was great.

For Tuesday, please prepare to discuss and hand in the following:

1. Your thread for China
2. An insight on one of the following primary source documents:

• The Analects of Confucius
• Taoism's Greatest Text: The Tao De Jing
• The Writings of Han Fei on Legalism

In your primary source article, I want to read your impressions and insights about the material - no descriptions needed.  Therefore, keep the length between a half to a full page of text.
For Tues or Thursday:

3. Critical Thinking Question on China:

The ancient Chinese culture was a technologically sophisticated one, based on a culture of innovation and discovery.  This period's contributions to world knowledge were immense.  Discuss how this dynamic culture could, over a period of time, become so isolated from the rest of the world.
(Document any outside sources you consult in preparing your answer.)

Reminder:  Turn your clocks back one hour Sunday morning to begin Daylight Savings Time!