BIO AND HISTORY HW

HISOTRY DUE THUR

We begin our seventh week (with one to go). This week we examine early medieval Europe, the great nomadic Eurasian empires, and sub-Saharan Africa. Please answer at least ONE of the following questions. Remember to answer as completely as possible, and explain using specific facts, events, and other points. Organize the answers and produce well-written efforts. Work to develop the answer beyond basic facts by explaining points fully. As a short cut, you may cite the text as “Bentley and Ziegler, 108” (noting authors and page numbers). Other sources should be cited fully using the University of Chicago Style (Turabian). When in doubt, cite and reference completely.

Remember, please post by Thursday.

1. The Byzantines always described themselves as Romans. Compare the Byzantine Empire that developed after Justinian (6th century A.D./C.E.) with the Roman Empire of the classical period. What remained the same? What differed? How did the Byzantine Empire continue classical Greek learning? Name specific areas of study that the Byzantines developed or continued. What technological or economic developments do the Byzantines produce?

2. Discuss the development of the Byzantine Empire and its relations to the peoples in the Balkans, Kiev, and Russia. How did the Byzantines manage their foreign and military policy to survive as long as they did? Discuss.

3. What role did Orthodox Christianity play in the development of the Byzantine state and in relation to the Slavic peoples? Explain. What is the role of the emperor and what is caesaropapism? Explain Discuss the role of monasteries, missionaries, and iconoclasm in Orthodox Christianity. Why do the Latin West and Greek East split? Explain.

4. How did the Germanic and other migrations change the classical Roman order in Western Europe after 500 A.D. (CE)? Who was involved and how did these groups influence (or were influenced) by the Roman heritage? Who restored political and religious order 700? How did the Franks (and their relationship with the Catholic Church) re-create an imperial state? Why do some scholars point to a “renaissance” in the 8th and 9th centuries? Explain. Why did this order not last? Explain, giving examples.

5. Describe the new disorder of the ninth and tenth centuries A.D. (CE). What groups appeared in Western Europe that challenged the existing political order? In response to these groups, define feudalism and describe how this system provided local order. Discuss the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the creation of the new civilization that appeared in Western Europe after 500 A.D. (CE) and how conversion, the Papacy, and monasticism supported this new society.

6. What technological developments in Western Europe allowed agriculture and trade to expand after its decline in the immediate post-classical period? How did the creation of new political orders and religious institutions help in economic and commercial growth? What areas of Europe were involved? Describe the networks and who/what was involved.

7. What role did Turkish and Mongol nomads play in creating new political orders on the Eurasian landmass after 500 A.D. (CE). Describe the Central Asia steppes and how the climate and geography of this region created mobile forces to support conquest. Make certain to discuss the Saljuq (Seljuk), Mongol, Ottoman, and Timur-created states. What were the negative impacts of their conquests? Compare these with the positive impacts. How did integration generate economic, commercial, and technological innovation? Explain.

8. Review the early African migrations and their impact during the common era (C.E.). How did population growth and the development of cities affect political organization? How did Christianity and Islam influence these developments and where did these happen? Explain. Were similar developments visible in West and East Africa? Discuss and compare.

9. How do trade and commercial exchange affect sub-Saharan and East Africa after the early centuries A.D. (CE)? Who is involved and what items of exchange are sought (including slavery)? How does economic growth affect political development? Explain, citing examples in both regions. How does the centralization of power allow the creation of kingdoms and empires?

10. Describe native African religion and the aspects of belief. What roles do ethics and morality play? When and under what circumstances does Christianity appear in Africa? How does it adapt itself to African society? Compare this with the introduction of Islam. Who is involved and how does Islam spread? Explain, citing examples.

11. After answering one of the questions above, please post any questions or issues you think need to be addressed for your colleagues to consider.

Policy: In this conference you are expected to post your comments on “Major Invertebrate Groups”. First, read my Course Content Item and the pertinent part of the text book (pages 352-375)

olicy: In this conference you are expected to post your comments on “The Chordates”. First, read my Course Content Item and the pertinent part of the text book (pages 376-387).

Policy: In this conference you are expected to post your comments on “Primates and Human Evolution”. First, read my Course Content Item and the pertinent part of the text book (pages 388-395. 

Policy: In this conference you are expected to post your comments on “Animal Behavior”. First, read my Course Content Item and the pertinent part of the text book (396-411).