Optional Alternative Assignment

I have decided to offer an OPTIONAL assignment that can be used in place of your book review for this current six weeks. You can respond to one more blog question.  However, you must include proper citation for your research at the bottom of your post so that I know you actually did some research.  Use citationmachine.net and then go to APA 6th edition, website, and type in the info from the webpage(s) you used to get your information. It will generate the proper format for your citation.  Copy and paste this into the bottom of your post. CAUTION: All posts will be checked for plagiarism---> so do your own work! *No peer response is necessary*

Due Date:  11/10/11 Midnight

Topic:  Africa During the Middle Ages- Timbuktu

Nothing better denotes remoteness and mystery than Timbuktu. Your mother threatened to send you there if you didn't clean your room. Yet European explorers literally killed themselves in attempts to find the fabled city. Timbuktu certainly does exist. However, the mystery that drew those first European adventurers has diminished while Timbuktu's remoteness continues to increase.


During the Middle Ages, why did Europeans want to go to Timbuktu in Africa? What influence did Muslims have on Mali and Northern Africa? And why is Timbuktu still hard to get to today?

Week 6- The Roman Catholic Church

In Europe during the Middle Ages the only recognized religion was Christianity, in the form of the Catholic religion.  The lives of the Medieval people of the Middle Ages were consumed by the church. From birth to death, whether you were a peasant, a serf, a noble, a lord, or a King - life revolved around the church. Various religious institutions became both important, rich and powerful. The lives of many Medieval people were dedicated to the Catholic church and religion. Discuss why the Catholic Church became dominant both religiously and politically during the Middle Ages.  Was there corruption in the church? Do you think this was a true form of Christianity?


In your peer reviews this week I would like you to follow a different template.  You will write one thing you liked about someone else's post, one thing you wonder about that maybe they didn't describe or fully explain, and one suggestion or idea that would make their post better...it will look like this:


I liked..........
I wonder..........
I have an idea/suggestion..........

Week 5 Blog- Joan of Arc

Do some background research on Joan of Arc. What do you think is the most fascinating thing or fact about her? Do you think if Joan of Arc were alive today she would make as big of an impact on the world if the circumstances were the same?

What would Jesus/Muhammad do?

Okay, I want your intellectual response for this question.  Don't just respond with the first thought that comes to your head.  Think about the topic, research the topic, even possibly try to put yourself on the opposite side.


In the movie, Kingdom of Heaven, Balian says that Jerusalem belongs to everyone and no one.  Why is Jerusalem such an important city to have so much blood shed over it?  Do the teachings of Jesus Christ and Muhammad line up with the actions of the Crusaders from both sides?  Who do you think should have control of Jerusalem?

Week 3 Discussion Question- The Crusades

The causes of the Crusades were many and complex, but prevailing religious beliefs were clearly of major importance. Identify the conflicting religious beliefs, leaders, and civilizations.  What are some lasting effects of the Crusades in current times?

Week 2 Discussion Question- The Middle Ages

The majority of the people who lived in the Middle Ages were peasants—poor, uneducated laborers who farmed the lord's land and had to give him much of the food. Under the system of feudalism, they belonged to the lord and were not free to leave the land. They were allowed to keep some of the food they grew, and they were protected against attackers by the lord's knights. List the good and the bad aspects of this system and discuss how this system could have been changed to be fairer to the peasants.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the first ever Crockett High School Pre-AP World History blog. I hope you will enjoy this 6 week project and if you have any questions, just email me.  Thanks and good luck!