MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM TOPICAL QUESTIONS
- HISTORY 107
- WORLD CIVILIZATIONS SINCE 1648
1. Examine this TED talk ("6 Killer Apps" http://www.ted.com/talks/niall_ferguson_the_6_killer_apps_of_prosperity). Is it valid? Are the assumptions that Ferguson makes supportable by evidence? What would it be? Is there evidence that his thesis is wrong? Develop your own alternative evidence supported thesis. How does the "War System" as described in Smith fit in? Provide (at least) two other reasons Europeans dominated colonization between 1600 and 1800.
2. Analyze the American, French & Haitian Revolutions. Using specific examples, interrelate the Revolutions showing political developments, economic interactions and cultural connections. Demonstrate cause and effect with at least two of the Revolutions. Support your thesis with evidence.
3. Evaluate feudal Japan beginning with the Tokugawa. Detail Japanese social / political institutions of the era (up to the Meiji Restoration). Compare (closed) Japan with it’s neighbor China. How did Japan remain closed while China was forced to open? (hint: your thesis should begin here). Was there something in the character of Japanese institutions or culture that made them a “shut-in nation?”
4. Using material from both course texts, define two ways in which the industrial revolution improved life on the planet (any two), and then, define two ways that the same industrial revolution(s) reduced the quality of life. Make sure your thesis includes a definition of “Industrial Revolution.”
5. Using Smith, develop the reader’s understanding of the War System. What are the elements of the War System? What is the political economy of war? In your thesis, connect the political economy of the War System with three (3) impacts on specific Human Rights in three separate regions / civilizations.
MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
Behavioral and social sciences require thinking that is critical, and writing that is clear and precise. In this case, critical does not mean negative. Critical means to subject issues, events, or individuals to a criteria based judgment - in short, a balanced analysis.
I have both online students and classroom students. The instructions are basically the same, but some requirements differ slightly because of where you take the course.
Because of the “online” courses, the midterm for ALL students is essentially an open-book research assignment requiring one (1) essay in response to one (1) topic. After selecting a topic, you will complete a two to three page typed logical, focused essay on the topical question. Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support, and be in the standard essay form.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
• You will select any single question from those provided. PICK ONLY ONE QUESTION.
• Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Then, you will complete a five paragraph (two to three paged) typed logical, focused essay on the question. Be clear and precise.
• Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support represented by specific examples from the texts, and be in the STANDARD ESSAY FORM (single-spaced or double-spaced).
• Use of the text(s) counts. Spelling, grammar, and clarity count.
• Cite your sources. This means show me where in your books you draw your examples and facts.
An example is: “The discussion of Bacon’s rebellion is a good example of the wealthy manipulating the political economy of the colonies against poorer and non-white colonists (Zinn: 39).”
• You will have a bibliography that will include five (5) sources, and may be in any standard (complete) format – such as APA or AHA. All sources will be cited in the body of your work. NO ENCYCLOPEDIA / WIKIPEDIA SOURCES! You can find examples in any style manual such as Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
• REMEMBER: Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Send in your answers on Blackboard (only if you are an online student). DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. If you are a classroom student, you may hand in your midterm essays in class on or before Friday of the week it is due. These essays MUST be stapled and labeled with name and class / section. Your answers are due no later than Sunday night (online).
• You will not receive a grade for about two weeks from submitting your midterm. I will notify you of your grade over the Blackboard e-mail. You will receive a reply on a first-received-first-served basis beginning in about two weeks. It will contain both your Midterm grade, and your course grade up to that time – including your total of weekly work. I caution you to be patient. It will do no good to push the process earlier than that.
ESSAY FORMAT
A. Thesis – The all-important first paragraph. Remember to Define your thesis – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important? Also, provide an Argument or methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
B. Body – 3 body paragraphs. This should be a point by point expansion of the thesis. Each paragraph should reflect and aspect of fact that is analyzed and related to the established argument. Each area of analysis should be followed by a source note that tells where your research was done. Using a standard system (footnote, endnotes, or parenthetic notes) cite your sources.
C. Summary / Conclusion – The final paragraph of the paper should draw together the essential features of body into a summarized synthesis of exactly how they support the thesis. In addition, this portion of the piece should conclude or direct the reader to come to a conclusion on the meaning of the paper.
D. Bibliography – This is a formal scholarly exercise in acknowledgement of the resources used to write the paper. A standard format should be used that originates from a specific academic area or discipline. Some samples can be found in writer’s style manuals. This assignment should have five (5) sources. No more than one source from an un-refereed source allowed. This means that if you cannot find author credits and/or an institution that sponsors the source, then it is a questionable source.
Developing An Analytical Thesis For The ALL IMPORTANT 1st Paragraph
Clear and precise writing is writing that is focused, using precise word choices for a specific and particular effect. Focus comes from structure and implies actively choosing a direction, and sticking to it. In this exercise, the goal is to construct an analytical thesis that is the 1st paragraph of your essay. Generally follow the outline below in your first draft(s).
A. Consider the Reader – Who is to be reached, and what is to be accomplished? Continually think of how to do this. Don’t assume that you are writing for me. Seek to inform and engage the reader.
B. Topical sentence – In general, who, what, when, where is the paper about?
C. Define thesis - Thesis sentence – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important?
D. Working environment – Narrow down the focus to the most essential aspects of the topic that relate directly to the thesis.
E. Argument – methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
F. Depth - beginning and ending – Impose limits that allow for a specific goal to be reached. These limits may be of time, place, or level of complexity.
G. Linking sentence – What is of first priority? How will this paragraph state what the first priority is, and smoothly connect to the next paragraph?
- HISTORY 107
- WORLD CIVILIZATIONS SINCE 1648
1. Examine this TED talk ("6 Killer Apps" http://www.ted.com/talks/niall_ferguson_the_6_killer_apps_of_prosperity). Is it valid? Are the assumptions that Ferguson makes supportable by evidence? What would it be? Is there evidence that his thesis is wrong? Develop your own alternative evidence supported thesis. How does the "War System" as described in Smith fit in? Provide (at least) two other reasons Europeans dominated colonization between 1600 and 1800.
2. Analyze the American, French & Haitian Revolutions. Using specific examples, interrelate the Revolutions showing political developments, economic interactions and cultural connections. Demonstrate cause and effect with at least two of the Revolutions. Support your thesis with evidence.
3. Evaluate feudal Japan beginning with the Tokugawa. Detail Japanese social / political institutions of the era (up to the Meiji Restoration). Compare (closed) Japan with it’s neighbor China. How did Japan remain closed while China was forced to open? (hint: your thesis should begin here). Was there something in the character of Japanese institutions or culture that made them a “shut-in nation?”
4. Using material from both course texts, define two ways in which the industrial revolution improved life on the planet (any two), and then, define two ways that the same industrial revolution(s) reduced the quality of life. Make sure your thesis includes a definition of “Industrial Revolution.”
5. Using Smith, develop the reader’s understanding of the War System. What are the elements of the War System? What is the political economy of war? In your thesis, connect the political economy of the War System with three (3) impacts on specific Human Rights in three separate regions / civilizations.
MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
Behavioral and social sciences require thinking that is critical, and writing that is clear and precise. In this case, critical does not mean negative. Critical means to subject issues, events, or individuals to a criteria based judgment - in short, a balanced analysis.
I have both online students and classroom students. The instructions are basically the same, but some requirements differ slightly because of where you take the course.
Because of the “online” courses, the midterm for ALL students is essentially an open-book research assignment requiring one (1) essay in response to one (1) topic. After selecting a topic, you will complete a two to three page typed logical, focused essay on the topical question. Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support, and be in the standard essay form.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
• You will select any single question from those provided. PICK ONLY ONE QUESTION.
• Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Then, you will complete a five paragraph (two to three paged) typed logical, focused essay on the question. Be clear and precise.
• Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support represented by specific examples from the texts, and be in the STANDARD ESSAY FORM (single-spaced or double-spaced).
• Use of the text(s) counts. Spelling, grammar, and clarity count.
• Cite your sources. This means show me where in your books you draw your examples and facts.
An example is: “The discussion of Bacon’s rebellion is a good example of the wealthy manipulating the political economy of the colonies against poorer and non-white colonists (Zinn: 39).”
• You will have a bibliography that will include five (5) sources, and may be in any standard (complete) format – such as APA or AHA. All sources will be cited in the body of your work. NO ENCYCLOPEDIA / WIKIPEDIA SOURCES! You can find examples in any style manual such as Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
• REMEMBER: Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Send in your answers on Blackboard (only if you are an online student). DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. If you are a classroom student, you may hand in your midterm essays in class on or before Friday of the week it is due. These essays MUST be stapled and labeled with name and class / section. Your answers are due no later than Sunday night (online).
• You will not receive a grade for about two weeks from submitting your midterm. I will notify you of your grade over the Blackboard e-mail. You will receive a reply on a first-received-first-served basis beginning in about two weeks. It will contain both your Midterm grade, and your course grade up to that time – including your total of weekly work. I caution you to be patient. It will do no good to push the process earlier than that.
ESSAY FORMAT
A. Thesis – The all-important first paragraph. Remember to Define your thesis – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important? Also, provide an Argument or methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
B. Body – 3 body paragraphs. This should be a point by point expansion of the thesis. Each paragraph should reflect and aspect of fact that is analyzed and related to the established argument. Each area of analysis should be followed by a source note that tells where your research was done. Using a standard system (footnote, endnotes, or parenthetic notes) cite your sources.
C. Summary / Conclusion – The final paragraph of the paper should draw together the essential features of body into a summarized synthesis of exactly how they support the thesis. In addition, this portion of the piece should conclude or direct the reader to come to a conclusion on the meaning of the paper.
D. Bibliography – This is a formal scholarly exercise in acknowledgement of the resources used to write the paper. A standard format should be used that originates from a specific academic area or discipline. Some samples can be found in writer’s style manuals. This assignment should have five (5) sources. No more than one source from an un-refereed source allowed. This means that if you cannot find author credits and/or an institution that sponsors the source, then it is a questionable source.
Developing An Analytical Thesis For The ALL IMPORTANT 1st Paragraph
Clear and precise writing is writing that is focused, using precise word choices for a specific and particular effect. Focus comes from structure and implies actively choosing a direction, and sticking to it. In this exercise, the goal is to construct an analytical thesis that is the 1st paragraph of your essay. Generally follow the outline below in your first draft(s).
A. Consider the Reader – Who is to be reached, and what is to be accomplished? Continually think of how to do this. Don’t assume that you are writing for me. Seek to inform and engage the reader.
B. Topical sentence – In general, who, what, when, where is the paper about?
C. Define thesis - Thesis sentence – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important?
D. Working environment – Narrow down the focus to the most essential aspects of the topic that relate directly to the thesis.
E. Argument – methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
F. Depth - beginning and ending – Impose limits that allow for a specific goal to be reached. These limits may be of time, place, or level of complexity.
G. Linking sentence – What is of first priority? How will this paragraph state what the first priority is, and smoothly connect to the next paragraph?