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.

                                                  Alexander the Great

Week 11.2

Today we will complete our study of Greece up to the Classical Era.  For next Tuesday, please complete your readings for Hellenistic Greece and also read the beginning of the Roman Civilization.

                                   King Leonidas in "300"
Week 12.1

Today we will explore Archaic Greece, in particular the cities of Athens and Sparta. For Thursday, please be prepared to do your map quiz of Greece.

                                      Poisedon, Athena, and Cecrops

Week 11.2

We are continuing our exploration of Ancient Greece.  For next Tuesday, please prepare for the discussion of the Primary Source on Greek Slavery: 
 http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/greek-slaves.asp

Also, we will have a map quiz on Greece on Thursday, April 12.

As I have posted two legends for you about Greece, here is a third.  How did the city of Athen's get it's name?  The legend of the Naming of Athens is a good one - read on:

The Naming of Athens

Once, a long long time ago, there was a man named Cecrops. Cecrops, whose name means "face with a snake," was half-man and half-snake. He was also the founder and first king of Athens. Athens started looking pretty good, and Athena and Poseidon both wanted to be the patron of it. They were on the verge of attacking each other, when the wise Athena came up with an idea about who could win the city. It was decided that whoever gave the city the best gift would get it as her/his own. The people of the city would be the judges.

Leading a huge crowd, the two gods ascended to the Acropolis to give their gifts. Poseidon was first, and he lifted his trident and struck the earth with it. A spring shot forth and began pouring out water. The people sighed in wonder, but when they tasted it, they were not so impressed for the spring was as salty as the sea Poseidon ruled.

Athena, on the other hand, merely knelt and buried something in the ground. It was an olive tree. Simple, yes, but the olive tree was also a rich gift. It gave the Athenians the olives (food), oil, and wood. The people deemed Athena's the better gift. As the winner, Athena name the city after herself (Athens, of course).

Athena's Owl:  The goddess of Athen's is usually pictured with an owl to sybolize her wisdom.  Here is an unusual video showing an eagle owl landing on a security camera.  It made me think of Athena:  http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/

The "Owls" were used throughout ancient Greece because of their easy exchangeability. Athena's picture was on the reverse side. Owls thus became the world's first great trade currency,

                              "Priestess of Delphi" by John Collier, 1891
Week 11.1

Today we begin our study of Greece.  There are so many interesting stories, myths, and legends that have come from this civilization.  In the last post, there was a link to the legend of King Minos and his labyrinth.  Today, I am adding the legend of Apollo's Oracle of Delphi.  Begin to work on your E-Portfolio for Greece.  We will also talk about the Critical Thinking Questions for China and Greece in class as well.  Here is the legend in brief:

Apollo’s Oracle at Delphi

The ancient Greeks believed that it was not wise to anger the gods. They built temples all over ancient Greece. Each temple, no matter how elaborate, honored only one god. The major gods had more than one temple built in their honor.  Nearly everyone was fond of Apollo. He was the god of music, reason, and light. Apollo's chariot brought up the sun each day.

The Pythia was the priestess who held court at the Oracle at Delphi, a sanctuary to the Greek god Apollo. She was highly-regarded, for it was believed that she channeled prophecies from Apollo himself, while steeped in a dreamlike trance. The Oracle was constructed in the 8th century BC, and the final prophecy given around AD 393, after the Roman Emperor Theodosius ordered the closure of all pagan sanctuaries.

The Pythia was chosen among the priestesses of the temple upon the death of the previous Pythia. Moral character was of utmost importance, and even if the newly-chosen Pythia was married and had a family, she had to relinquish all familial duties in order to fill her role in the temple. Pythias were likely women from higher-class families, were educated, and well-read.

The practice of interpreting the word of Apollo entailed the Pythia bathing in the Castalian Spring, then descending into her special chamber beneath the temple, where she would sit on a tripod, holding a cauldron of special water and smoldering laurel leaves. Those seeking the counsel of Apollo and his priestess would bring offerings of laurel branches, gifts of money, and a sacrifice of a black ram.

It is believed that the Pythia entered a trance caused by hallucinogenic gases that emerged from a crevice in the floor of the Castalian Spring. The Oracle of Delphi lies directly above two geological fault lines, and the spring near the Oracle contains ethylene, a hallucinogenic substance. It is thus likely that the trance was induced by gases that emerged into the temple room due to its unique geological location.

source: Ancient History Encyclopedia    http://www.ancient.eu.com/Pythia/

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                                            Confucius

Week 10.2

Today in class we will complete our study of China and the Yellow River Civilization.  Our in-class discussion is on the Analects of Confucius and you are to hand in your insights, reaction, and connections to that text.  Other points of interest about Confucius is that September 29 is "Confucius Day" in China where this great philosopher is still honored. 

For next week, begin to read about early Greece in your texts, especially the Minoan and Mycenaean eras.  If you have the time, read this quick and easy version of story about King Minos' labyrinth:  http://www.mce.k12tn.net/ancient_greece/labyrinth.htm

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
~ Sun Tzu

Week 10.1

No class Tuesday, March 27 due to Professional Development Day at BHCC. Classes run between 11:30am and 3:55pm are supposed to be cancelled. Classes running after 3:55 are to run as usual.

Local Event: "Seeking Shambhala"

Where: Museum of Fine Arts, (Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue,  Boston, MA 02115)
What: Exhibit of  Tibetan Buddhist art through October 20, 2012.  Among the collection are 22 thangkas.  Thangkas are silk and cotton scrolls with paintings of the 32 mythological kings designated by the Buddha to protect the sacred teaching about the "Wheel of Time".  Added to this exhibit are modern Tibetan art pieces produced by Gonkar Gyatso, a Tibetan artist currently living in London.

Check your local library to get free passes to visit this collection! 

                           Terrace farming for rice production in China

Week 9.2

Today we are continuing our exploration of ancient China.  Here is a link to an excellent website with resources on China.  It is a good source to look for your E-Portfolio materials on China that should be started this week.

Formation of the Chinese Civilization:    http://www.china.org.cn/e-gudai/index.htm

Remember that class is cancelled next Tuesday due to Professional Development.  When we meet again next Thursday (3/39), you need to be ready for:

1. map quiz on China
2. discussion of Primary Source (Analects of Confucius) + interpretation & analysis to e-mail or hand in.
3. choice of topic for PowerPiont Presentation for your E-Portfolio project.  I must receive an e-mail by next Thursday!  My e-mail address is:  ctmiller@bhcc.mass.edu
NOTE: I will be in the classroom ( D-211) every Tues. & Thurs. from 2 - 2:30 pm to answer questions about powerpoint or your E-Portfolio.


News Flash!!

Announcing the First Annual

BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest

BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest

Submit an ePortfolio to be considered as the

Best Representation in one of the following categories:

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

• $100 Barnes & Noble gift certificates awarded for winner in each category

• Grand Prize for “best in show” to be announced soon

• Stay tuned for submission guidelines

Submission deadline: Friday, April 27, 2012

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

Get ready for more details to come. For more information please

contact Professor Ted Carlson at rcarlson@bhcc.mass.edu.

                                          The Yellow Emperor

Week 9.1

Welcome back from Spring Break.  Today, we will begin our exploration of the Yellow River Civilization of ancient China.  I will pass out maps in class to study for our second map quiz on Thursday, March 29.  Also note that there will be no class next Tuesday, March 27th due to Professional Development Day at the college.  Classes held between 11:30am and 3:55 pm are cancelled.

For this week, make sure you have read the pages in your text on China.  Also, we will discuss our Primary Source, The Analects of Confucius" on Thursday, March 29, so please prepare your thoughts and reactions on paper to first discuss, then hand in during class. The link is:  http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/analects.html

                       Buddhist stupa built by King Ashoka
Week 7.2

Have a wonderful Spring break! You can e-mail me over the weekend if you want your grade from Exam 1.  When we come back from break, we will begin to explore the Yellow River civilization in China.  Please read your text for the section so that you have a baseline of knowledge coming into the lecture.  We will also have a map quiz on this region, so that is where we will begin on Tuesday, March 20th.

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour before you slep on Saturday night (March 10th.)  Daylight Savings Time is in effect!

                         Alexander riding his war horse, Bucephalus, into India

Week 7.1 :

This is the last week before Spring Break and the evaluation of your E-Portfolios. 
Please look over your syllabus to make sure you have included all necessary points.

Today we will complete our exploration of the Indus River Valley Civilization and
prepare for our first exam on the first three civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and
the Indus River Valley.  For Thursday, be prepared to present your E-Portfolio first,
before the exam, followed by the exam in the final hour of the course.

The critical thinking question for the Indus River Valley is:

CTQ - Indus Valley: Given that the Harrappan civilization in the Indus River Valley was a sophisticated one with evidence of urban planning and an organized administration that supported a large population, discuss possible explanations of how the Aryans imposed a religious-based caste system on that civilization that allowed the Aryans to hold higher social positions than the original peoples of Harrappa.

(Document any outside sources you consult in preparing your answer.)

                                                        King Ashoka
Week 6.2

Today in class  we will explore the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. King Ashoka, whose picture you see above,  was a convert to Buddhism and played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism throughout India.  For next Tuesday (2/6), prepare a written paragraph on the Primary Source reading for the Indus River Valley civilization.  The article is entitled : The Laws of Manu and the link is here and in your syllabus: http://www.mircea-eliade.com/from-primitives-to-zen/057.html

We will discuss the article and then hand in the written work for it.  You can also e-mail me your work before class.  My BHCC e-mail is:  ctmiller@bhcc.mass.edu

Week 6.1

Today we will begin our exploration of the Indus River Valley civilization.  Please use your syllabus to guide you in reading the assigned pages in your text.  Also, remember to work on the Indus River civilization parts of your E-Portfolio.  The first half of your E-Portfolio will be evaluated during Spring Break, beginning on March 11.

                Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Mardi Gras King Cake)

Week 5

Happy Mardi Gras!  This week we will finish up exploring the civilization of Ancient Egypt and complete the study of our first world religion: Judaism.

For Thursday, please complete your readings of this section and also read this link concering the Inscription on the Ishtar Gate - you do not have to submit an analysis of this primary source.
http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/meso/ishtarins.html

Week 4.2

                                   The Hyksos invade Egypt (Middle Kingdom)

Remember that there are no BHCC classes on Monday as it is President's Day - a national holiday.

For Tuesday, prepare a written discussion of the primary source assigned for Egypt:  The Status of Women in Egypt found at the following link:
http://web.archive.org/web/19970630114400/http://www.library.nwu.edu/class/history/B94/B94women.html

Also, for your E-Portfolio, think about your response to the Critical Thinking Question for Egypt:

The position of Pharaoh changed from that of a god in the Old Kingdom to that of a "shepherd of the people" in the Middle Kingdom. Discuss reasons why that change could have occurred.
(Document any outside sources you consult in preparing your answer.)

Week 4.1

Today we begin our exploration of ancient Egypt.  An excellent website that we will look at in class is called: Aspects of Life in Ancient Egypt.  Here is the link: http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/index.html


For your E-Porfolios, begin to complete the assignments for Egypt in: media, threads, and critical thinking questions.

                                                       Phoenician
Week 3.2

Today we will explore other cultures that flourished in the ancient Near East.  Next Tuesday, we will begin our exploration of the Egyptian civilization, so you should have your E-portfolio completed for the Mesopotamian sections.

Reminder: Map Quiz 1 is on Tuesday and will we given at the beginning of class.  Please be on time!

Week 3.1

Remember that Thursday, February 9th is your first due date for your E-Portfolio.  The assignment is to complete the section "About Me".  Be sure to discuss your interests in history and mention a favorite battle or personality in ancient history. Please do not include personal information.  This assignment will be graded only as "OK" for being submitted on time.

Week 2.2 - Mesopotamia

For Tuesday, February 7th, prepare the Primary Source article found in your syllabus about the " Creation of the Pickax by Enlil" http://www.piney.com/BabPickax.html

We will discuss this article in class and you will then hand in your written piece.  This assignment should be about making connections to other ideas, in your own culture or in others.  It should contain some insights such as: "What did the primary source article mean to you?"  Do not describe the article - react to it!  Write a paragraph of your reactions in about 7 - 8 well-formed sentences to hand in on Tuesday.


We will talk about Mesopotamian foods in class on Thursday. Here is a recipe for an authentic dish.  Notice that the ingrediants were all available in ancient Mesopotamia.

                                        Mesopotamian Lentil Stew

 §  1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro (coriander), divided

 §  3 carrots

 §  3 celery stalks, including leaves

 §  2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

 §  1 large onion, diced

 §  1 clove garlic, crushed

 §  2 cups dry red lentils

 §  1/4 cup pearl barley

 §  2 qts. vegetable or chicken stock

 §  1 1/2 tsp cumin

 §  1 tsp dried parsley

 §  1/2 tsp sumac (optional)

 §  1 bay leaf

 §  Salt and pepper to taste

Roughly chop the cilantro. Scrub the carrots, then cut them into chunks (do not peel). Cut celery into chunks, including leaves. Reserve.  In a medium sized soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute till translucent.  Add garlic, carrot chunks, and celery. Continue to saute till onion turns golden and ingredients begin to caramelize. Add red lentils and barley to the pot, stir. Cover mixture with 2 qts. of broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add 1/4 cup of the fresh cilantro to the pot along with the cumin, hyssop or parsley, sumac (optional) and bay leaf; stir. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer slowly for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until barley is tender and the stew is thickened. At the end of cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish bowls of stew with the remaining fresh cilantro. Serve as a one pot meal or with a side of sliced bread. In ancient times, this sort of stew was usually served with bread on the side so it would be more filling. While Mesopotamian bread was generally coarse and unleavened, I'd recommend serving this with a rustic whole grain sourdough loaf or bread made from barley.

Painting of Nimrud by Austen Henry Layard

Week 2 - Mesopotamia

Announcements:

You are welcomed to come to the classroom between 2-2:30pm on days we have class to get help with your Portfolios, PowerPoint presentations, or any other question on the course.

Map Test #1: Tuesday, February 14th

Here is a copy of your first map.  You will receive one in class as well.  If you have interest, check out this discussions of the world's most ancient cities.  It looks like Jerico and Byblos have the best claims to the title: World's Oldest Cities

Label the following: (25 points)
Water features: The Nile, Tigris, Euphrates;  The Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf; The Straits of Hormuz; Physical Features: Zagros Mountains, Taurus Mountains   Regions: Sumer, Akkad, Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Nubia;   Cities:  Memphis, Jerico, Tyre, Eridu,  Ur, Uruk, Babylon, Ninevah;   Deserts: Sahara, Arabian, Syrian.  
(Extra Credit: Label up to six additional features ( ½ pt. each) for a possible 3 extra points.)