| 1. | READ the first two chapters of The Source by James Michener. (1-111) On the second day of our Global Studies’ class, you will be given a comprehension quiz on those chapters. Throughout the course, you will be reading other chapters from The Source. Therefore, you will need your own copy of the book. Below are some notes that might help in your reading. In the opening chapter, the three archaeologists meet at Makor to begin their work (aided by a group of local kibbutzniks). As they excavate the two main shafts, or tunnels, down through seventy-one feet of debris that comprise the tell, they discover fifteen objects from fifteen different historical levels. The objects are recorded and diagramed by Cullinane, and each offers the basis for a dramatized episode of the people and events that successively built and destroyed Makor throughout its history. In this way, the true focus of the novel starts taking shape, and the dig becomes a way of telling the story of past centuries. Interspersed throughout the historical narratives are returns to the present, giving Cullinane and his colleagues a chance to discuss various historical and philosophical questions regarding the formation of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions, and their oftentimes stormy relationship in the past and present. The frame of the novel-the “Tell” sections at the beginning and at the end—takes place in 1964. Flashbacks—all the chapters in between—cover approximately 12,000 years of Israel’s history, starting in 9831 B.C.E. (before common era). The story is set at the Tell of Makor (meaning “the source”) in western Galilee. The word “tell” comes from an Arab word meaning “an artificial hill or mound, usually one covering the ruins of an ancient city.” The main characters of the novel are the following:
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| 2. | WATCH one of the following movies: The Agony and the Ecstasy, A Man for All Seasons, Ben Hur, Spartacus, or A Lion in Winter. All of these will be found at the Mt. Pleasant Library. Some of them are available at the rental companies. (Please watch the movie with friends and return the movie quickly as others will want to check it out. Do not wait until the last week to do this.) Afterwards, divide an 8 ½ X 11” piece of paper into 8 panels. Illustrate the most important 8 scenes of the movie by drawing or using clip art. The illustrations must be colorful and there must be captions on each panel explaining the art. On the back of the paper: Choose one of the main characters. (Main Character) is like a(n)_________________. (Example: Cinderella is like a seed.) Pick an object to fill in the blank and then write a paragraph defending your answer using supporting details from the movie. The paragraph must have at least 7 sentences. The movie assignment is due on August 25th (A) and August 26th (B). |
Purchase or borrow Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. You could get the book at Barnes and Noble, Costco or through Amazon. It is available in paperback.
Although I would recommend that you read the whole book, the following chapters are ones that you MUST read.
Prologue Yali’s Question
Ch. 1: Up to the Starting Line
Ch. 2: A Natural Experiment of History
Ch. 4: Farmer Power
Ch. 9: Zebras, Unhappy Marriages, and the Anna Karenina Principle
Ch. 10: Spacious Skies and Titled Axes
Ch. 11: Lethal Gift of Livestock
Ch. 12: Blueprints and Borrowed Letters
Ch. 13: Necessity’s Mother
Ch. 14: From Egalitarianism to Kleptocracy
Epilogue: The Future of Human History as a Science
Written Reflections
Buy a spiral or composition notebook to record your reflections for this assignment.
I. Pre-reading Assignment
Before reading the book, record your answers to the following questions.
1. What is your definition of world history?
2. What interests you about studying world history? Why? What does not? Why?
II. Reading Assignment
The concept of AP World History is to focus on the big ideas, concepts, themes, and trends of history. Instead of focusing on minor events and occurrences, we will focus on the big ideas that have shaped world history and our world today. To get your mind thinking in this direction, as you read Guns, Germs and Steel you will be create a written and illustrated summary of the "Big Ideas” in your journal.
Format for “Big Ideas”
Questions from Guns, Germs, and Steel:
Prologue : What is Yali’s question? What other questions does this lead the author to ask?
Ch. 1: Of the significant developments in human history listed in this chapter, which do you believe is the most important? Explain why.
Ch. 2: What is the relationship does population have on the development of politics and social order? Explain.
Ch. 3: Analyze Pizarro’s defeat of the Incan empire. What advantages did the Spaniards have? How could this outcome have been different if the natives had similar advantages to the Spaniards? Explain.
Ch. 4: How did food production and the domestication of animals affect the development of societies and technology? Explain with examples.
Ch. 9: What evidence can be given to support the claim that Eurasia was the most conducive region for the domestication of animals? Provide the evidence with explanations.
Ch. 10: Explain how the axis orientation of continents affects the success or non-success of humans in various areas of the world?
Ch. 11: Why did the rise of agriculture launch the evolution of our crowd infectious diseases?
Ch. 12: Why are there so few independent origins of writing? Explain. What two regions were the earliest and led the way for other writing systems to develop?
Ch. 13: Why was technology allowed to develop more rapidly in some areas compared to
others? Explain.
Ch. 14: What are the “agents of conquest?” Explain how these “agents” affect society,
economy, and politics over time.
Epilogue: Do you believe that Diamond answer’s Yali’s question? What do you think he is saying about the future of human history?
III. Post-reading Assignment
After reading the book, answer the following questions in your journal in detail.
1. What question is Jared Diamond trying to answer?
2. What is his thesis?
3. Is he successful in supporting his thesis? Why or why not? To what extent? Are particular chapters stronger than others? Are any chapters particularly problematic?
4. Do you agree with this theory? Why or why not?
5. What would be Jared Diamond's definition of world history? Explain why.
6. How has Diamond's book affected your thinking about world history? Explain.
7. Is Guns, Germs, and Steel the best title for this book? What title would you give to this book? Explain your answer.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the summer reading, you can email me at miyoung_gross@charleston.k12.sc.us
Students should read:
Students should read:
I. Students must select and read a US-history related book from those listed. It cannot be a book that the student has previously read! On the second day of class, each student will write a book review (without book or notes) in class.
Historical fiction and nonfiction choices
A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horowitz [exploration and discovery]
Partisans and Redcoats by Walter Edgar [Revolutionary War in SC]
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts [Revolutionary women]
The History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage [historical impact of key beverages]
Killer Angels by Micael Shaara [Gettysburg]
A Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin [Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt]
Standing at Armageddon by Neil Painter, Chapters 1-6 [Late 19th century Gilded Age America]
Standing at Armageddon by Neil Painter, Chapters 7-12 [Early 20th century Progressive Era]
Oil! By Upton Sinclair [social criticism of capitalism and the mores of the 1920s]
The Ultra Secret by F.W. Winterbotham [breaking Germany’s secret code in WW II]
Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Beals and January Jones [civil rights]
Nickle and Dimed, On Not Making It in America by Barbara Ehrenreich [the working poor]
All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren [1930s Louisiana politician Huey Long]
A Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria [foreign policy challenges of the 21st century]
Books which had an impact at the time of their publication
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe [anti-slavery]
A Century of Dishonor by Helen Hunt Jackson [19th century critique of US Indian policies]
The Octopus by Frank Norris [tensions between farmers and railroads in late 19th century]
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair [unsafe conditions in meatpacking industry in early 20th century]
The Other America by Michael Harrington [poverty in post-WW II America]
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan [post-WW II critique of traditional women’s roles]
II. And for your viewing pleasure…
You are not required to see a movie, but these are good if you are in the mood for history (fact, fiction, and/or a sprinkle of both).
Last of the Mohicans, 1776, Friendly Persuasion, Glory, Red Badge of Courage, Dances with Wolves, Skylark, O Pioneer, The Jazz Singer, Citizen Kane, All Quiet on the Western Front, Casablanca, The Little Dictator, Schindler’s List, State of the Union, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Animal Farm, Twelve Angry Men, China Syndrome, All the President’s Men, JFK, Thirteen Days, Good Night and Good Luck, The Long Walk Home, Fly Boys, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, Platoon, Fahrenheit 911
Recommended foreign films: Das Boot, The Lives of Others, Joyeux Noel
I. Hardball essay [Due first day of class]
In the book Hardball, Chris Matthews defines the title term:
Hardball is clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics. It is the discipline of gaining and holding power, useful to any profession or undertaking, but practiced most openly and unashamedly in the world of public affairs.
In essay format, support Matthews’ Machiavellian theory of politics. Find two politicians from the book who were successful due to their Machiavellian style and one politician who lacked the Machiavellian instinct. Discuss how each attempted to acquire power. Use quotes to support. Be sure to include the political maxims used by Matthews. (Listed below)
Political Maxims-
*What've ya done for me lately? *All politics is local
*Triangulation *It's better to receive than to give
*Dance with the one that brung ya. *Keep your enemies in front of you
*Don't Get Mad; Don't Get Even; Get Ahead *Leave no shot unanswered.
*Hang a Lantern on Your Problem *Politics = Power
*Only talk when it improves the silence *Retail politics
II. Government Movies Due September 2nd
Watch one of the following movies and write a one-page typed movie criticism. A movie criticism is a reaction paper, and it should be to the point. Summarize the movie in the first paragraph. In the second paragraph critique the movie as it relates to American Government. It is up to you to choose your focal point, but do not waste my time on criticizing the actors or script.
Wag the Dog All the President's Men
Fog of War Twelve Angry Men
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Meet John Doe
Dave
If you would like to add a movie to the list, or if you have any questions, please email me at misty_leclerc@charleston.k12.sc.us
Students should read two of the following by Marshall Jevons:
Murder at the Margins
Fatal Equilibrium
A Deadly Indifference