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.
HIS-111: World Civ I - History of the Ancient World.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
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/
Saturday, March 31, 2012
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/
Thursday, March 29, 2012
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
Friday, March 23, 2012
~ 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!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
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.
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