Midterm: 10 IDs, 5 points each. 1 long essay, 50 pts. OR write 2 essays.
Final: 2 long essays 50 pts each, or 1 longer essay for 100 pts.
IDs: Identify & briefly explain significance in a short paragraph each (of no more than 4 sentences) these 10 terms-oral history accounts, Fertile Crescent, Gilgamesh, Hammurabi, pyramid myths, Persian empires, Israelites, Phoenicians/Carthage, Plato’s Republic, just war, natural slaves.
Points on IDs: 5-Excellent, 4-Good, 3-Fair, 2-Poor or Vague,1-Clearly a guess or cut & paste, 0-Left blank
Essay questions: You will not lose points for minor misspellings or imperfect grammar, but poor wording that interferes with understanding your essay should be avoided.
Points: 46-50- Outstanding work, thoughtful use of analysis & evidence, thorough & lucid writing.
40-45- Good but unspectacular work, analysis missed a few points, writing needs minor improvements.
35-39- Mediocre work, unfocused analysis, major gaps in the use of evidence, writing needs serious work.
30-34- Barely adequate work, little to no analysis, little understanding or knowledge of evidence, severe problems with writing. Below 30 but above 0- Did not address questions or even follow instructions.
You WILL automatically receive a ZERO for CHEATING.
I recommend EXPULSION to the dean in cases involving more than one person.
Makeup exams will only be given for unavoidable circumstances. Contact me ASAP.
The use of AI for exams or essays is considered plagiarism and will be punished the same, a ZERO and having your name entered into the plagiarism database.
For both exams, you are expected to demonstrate your understanding of class material, overheads, lectures, & readings. Essays or IDs that lazily repeat an online search, rather than class material, lose points.
Midterm Write an essay of 2 & 1/2 pgs. 1 side equals 1 pg. If you choose to write IDs & 1 essay, I choose your essay. OR write 2 essays.
1. How could certain pivotal events in history turn out differently? Choose one of the following & argue for an alternate history into the present using evidence & thoughtful analysis:
A. Athens & Sparta are conquered in 480 BCE by the Persian Empire under Xerxes. Persian ideals of religious & cultural tolerance, & Zoroastrianism’s antislavery beliefs will be the basis of much of western cultures instead of Greek & Roman.
B. Carthage & Alexandria destroy Rome in 200 BCE. Islamic technologically advanced Africa dominates a pagan tribal Europe with a Viking slave trade, & wars upon the Americas. (Lion’s Blood & Zulu Heart)
C. Hannibal conquers Rome. Carthage dominates north Africa & present day Italy, France, & Spain. Greeks dominate as far as Israel. Most of Europe are polytheists. Christianity is limited to the Near East.
D. Herod Antipas successfully conspires to break Judea away from Roman control. There is far less Jewish Diaspora. Early Christianity is limited to the Near East. The Roman Empire & Europe remain largely pagan.
2. Compare & contrast the development of religious & philosophical systems of any two of these beliefs:
Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Catholicism, Coptic Christian
3. How little democracy & republicanism was actually in Greece? How did Plato’s ideas on elitism & government influence the Founding Fathers & Christian & US wars? How did Aristotle influence European beliefs on Natives & defend genocide & slavery? How did he influence ideas on female inferiority?
4. Pick two well known Hollywood films discussed in lectures, overheads, & other sources & describe their inaccuracies in detail & what the more accurate facts actually are. Why were these inaccuracies in these films & why do many wish to believe them?
5. Compare & contrast Gilgamesh with Greek myths & Biblical heroes, the various authors’ intent, & effect on their cultures.
6. Compare & contrast The Prince with Plato’s ideas on politics & gov’t.
7. What would your life & beliefs be if you lived in one of these times & places:
A. Any Fertile Crescent civilization. E. Any Persian Empire. F. Ancient Athens G. Sparta.
How would you live your life? What would your profession, goals, & family life be? Whose side would you take in conflicts of that time? You cannot use any knowledge you have of the future in your answer.