How did life under Islamic law compare to European feudalism during the period 650-1400 CE? What differences in social hierarchy, role of religion, and economic customs differed between the two societies?

In addition to your research for this last discussion board, your assignment is to review all past discussion regarding the Renaissance and Reformation in this class. Suggested Strategies: In addition to examining past discussion forums related to the topic of the final, examine all related notes from the textbook The point of this exercise to provide an in-depth analysis of social and political change in Europe over the course of the 1300s-1500s CE. It is important to review material thematically rather than chronologically.

Certain topics should be highlighted: the changing role of the church, the rise of secularism, the Protestant Reformation, and the development of science and the arts. I have posted a separate announcement with a review video lecture to assist you with your final exam preparation. Please also use this time to forward any questions to me directly concerning the final. Your last discussion will be reviewed and assessed by the middle of the week. Please review your semester average. I do not offer make ups or extra credit. Do your very best to finish strong this term. Thank you for a wonderful semester. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this class. 1418430 19 minutes ago Discussion One: River Civilizations Task: Select one of the sources from the first week module (Gilgamesh, Hammurabi’s Code, etc.) and do the following:

1) Summarize the source’s content, explaining what the document explains about the specific achievements of ancient civilizations.

2) Briefly discuss evidence of how this source recognizes the development of early human civilizations.

3) Note the limitations of the source (bias, lack of sourcing information, or otherwise.) 1418430 18 minutes ago Discussion Two: Ancient Rome Below is our week’s discussion forum concerning the rise of the Roman Republic and early signs of its demise. Follow the prompt to create this week’s thread as we wrap up our unit on the Classical Period of human history.

Prompt: In our unit on Ancient Greece we discussed the complexity of the organization of Athens’ democratic assembly and the issue of a ruling elite versus power by majority.

In Rome we examine a similar issue: If Rome was a republic, at least until the rise of Augustus Caesar, then what elements of society represented democratic ideals such as social equality?

Slavery might have been a way of life for most if not all classical civilizations, however concerning the social hierarchy of Ancient Rome, how much power did the governed actually have?

Did a system of checks and balances exist between the consul, the senate, and the plebeian assembly? In what ways did Roman life compare and also differ from that of Athens?

Examine the Stanford original documents, the BBC articles concerning the pecking order of the social classes, and the two primary documents on Roman life that we may use to explain and interpret this moment in history. In analysis, was Rome an oligarchy or a democracy?

1418430 17 minutes ago Discussion Three: Medieval Asia Prompt: Review the articles concerning Marco Polo and his journeys. Chinese history provides some of the most intact records of human history, stretching over thousands of years. The travels of Marco Polo have been exaggerated for their romance and distorting history.

Examine, source, and contextualize the documents provided on the Italian merchant and his time in the court of the Khan. Consider the reliability of the source and corroborate it with the text. While doing so, in your three paragraph response, answer the following:

1) What had changed, socially and politically for the Chinese people under the rule of the Khan? Was Chinese society stronger or weaker under the leadership of their Mongol rulers? Examine the structure of Kublai Khan’s court. How was it organized and how did this differ from previous emperors?

2) Examine the topic of cultural tolerance. In comparison to the Tang and Song dynasties, was Mongol China more or less tolerant of various religions and ethnicities? According to Marco Polo’s reports and text readings, did Kublai Khan’s policies towards foreigners advance or hinder society socially and economically?

3) Several depictions of the Mongols, both Chinese and Arab, conflict with views of both tolerance and barbarity. From what y 1418430 16 minutes ago Discussion Four: Mesoamerican History How should history judge the ancient civilizations of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas?

You will need to compare accounts, interpret the facts, and study the advancements, religion, political structure, and value system of each civilization to appropriately analyze and evaluate the achievements of each ancient people. All responses are due Friday, November 17th by midnight. Responses need to be three paragraphs in length total.

Discussion Five Task: Address all five questions in paragraph form (total five paragraphs) using the course content materials only. All work is due by midnight on December 1.

1) What led to the rapid expansion of Islam throughout Southwest Asia and North Africa?

2) What caused the split between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims? How did this affect the growth and prosperity of future Islamic caliphates?

3) How did life under Islamic law compare to European feudalism during the period 650-1400 CE? What differences in social hierarchy, role of religion, and economic customs differed between the two societies?

4) Looking at the Cohen article, what myths are exposed in his studies and what realities of life in Moorish Spain are clearly explained? To what extent was this a prosperous society in comparison to England or France at that same time?

5) How did the achievements of the early Islamic empires contribute to the growth of knowledge in Europe during the High Middle Ages?