Download Honors World History Government, Transition

Honors World History
Government, Transition, and the Emergence of Two Abrahamic Faiths
Assignments, Participation, and Grades
For each session, you are expected to read the assignments carefully and to think about associated questions so that you
can fully engage in discussion. Class participation includes both careful and critical listening, as well as active
engagement. Individual and collective grades will be determined from (1) class participation, (2) in- and out-of-class
writing assignments, and (3) other comprehension assessments.
Read the questions on this unit syllabus before beginning your reading. You should take notes on the nightly reading
and/or annotate the text well. In other words, do what you think will help you best understand the material. Use the
questions from the syllabus to determine the most significant points. Take time to truly consider these questions and to
develop questions you might pose for the class.
Remember, for any and all classes, your task is to develop strong arguments, backed by evidence and analytical rigor.
--Session 1 – The Roman Republic
 Materials
o Beck et al., 155-159
o Browse over “The Twelve Tables—451-450 BCE”
 Questions to Consider
o Why would patricians seek to prevent plebeians from holding important positions?
o “The Twelve Tables”—what can we conclude about early Roman justice? What
conclusions can you make about Roman culture (what does it emphasize)?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 2 – The Republic Becomes an Empire at Great Cost
 Materials
o Beck et al., 160-165
o Plutarch, “The Assassination of Julius Caesar, from Marcus Brutus”
 Questions to Consider
o Compare Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus’s leadership. What can we conclude?
What can we conclude or theorize about leadership in general?
o What historical moments suggest the Republic transforming into an empire?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 3 – Roman Decline
 Materials
o Beck et al., 173-176
o Jordanes, Deed of the Goths, Book Twenty Six
 Questions to Consider
o What factors led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
o Can we theorize factors that lead to [any] civilizations’ decline?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 4 – Rise of Christianity and Changes in Europe
 Materials
o Beck et al., 168-172
o Jesus, “Sermon on the Mount”
 Questions to Consider
Honors World History
Government, Transition, and the Emergence of Two Abrahamic Faiths
o What makes Christianity appealing? What makes it radical? Why might Jesus’
message be problematic?
o What makes religion desirable, appealing for people?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 5 – Christianity Amidst the Fall of an Empire and the Rise of a Frankish Kingdom
 Materials
o Beck et al., 353-354
o “The Edict of Milan—313CE”
o The Conversion of Clovis, as written by Gregory of Tours
 Questions to Consider
o What is larger significance of the Edict of Milan and Clovis’ conversion?
o What role should religion play in politics and government? Examples?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 6 – Spread of Christianity in Germanic Kingdoms
 Materials
o Beck et al., 354-355;
o “The Benedictine Rule—535-540 CE”
o Excerpts from The Worlds of Medieval Europe on Pope Gregory I
 Questions to Consider
o How does Benedict transform the Christian tradition? Why does he shake things up?
o How does Gregory I see the Church growing? What does he do to preserve the
church in a largely pagan Germany?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 7 – Charles Martel Takes on Other Outsiders
 Materials
o Beck et al., 355-356
 Questions to Consider
o What might be the broader historical significance of Martel’s victory over the
Muslims at Tours?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 8 – Muhammad and the Emergence of a New Faith
 Materials
o Strayer, 412-418
o Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon/Excerpts from the Qur’an
 Questions to Consider
o Do you think Islam evolves differently than Christianity?
o How does Muhammad acquire and spread power?
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?
Session 9 – Divisions and Controversies in the Islamic Tradition
 Materials
o Strayer, 422-424
 Questions to Consider
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss?