HISTORY 151 - ESSAY # 1
DUE: October 20
25 points
Please choose one of the following questions and write a thoughtful response. Your essay should be 3 - 4 pages (in electronic terms, about 750 words), double-spaced, typed and carefully proofread. I am interested in your opinion on these questions based on the material covered, and your own individual knowledge and insights. Whenever possible, support your statements and conclusions with specific reference to the material covered in class. You can submit this paper to me via E-mail, drop it off at my office, send it to me or fax it. I am happy to look at rough drafts (send these via email) if you would like to start on this writing early and get feedback before you submit it for a grade.
QUESTIONS:
1. Identify three significant changes
taking place in early civilizations as a result of the Agricultural Revolution.
For each of these areas of change, describe BOTH the beneficial and the negative consequences of this
change.
2. Historians learn a great deal from comparing and
contrasting the experiences of societies. Compare the first two great river
valley civilizations (Sumer/Mesopotamia and
3. Read over the entire Code of Hammurabi link: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/%7Edee/MESO/CODE.HTM
and develop an overall description of the society
based on insights provided by this law code. This description should include
two areas of discussion:
a) Refer to some specific laws in this code and
describe what you think were issues and/or problems Mesopotamians were
dealing with;
b) Provide general observations of the kind of
society that created and lived by these laws.
4. It is clear in looking at ancient history that
religion plays an important part in understanding a civilization. Choose one of
the civilizations we have covered and explain how religious beliefs were integral
to and influenced their political system, their social system, their
historical experience and their world view (i.e. their perception of how the
world/universe works and the role of humans in the world.) Make as many
connections between religion and other aspects of this culture that you can.
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