ONLY use the pages submitted in the materials section in this order which is from the textbook: William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel’s The Essential World History Volume II
Record your thoughts… the purpose of the assignment is twofold: to develop an understanding of the evolution of Western thought and culture and sharpen critical reading skills, e.g. separating fact from interpretation.
Submit a detailed learning journal entry.
The purpose of the assignment is to measure academic reading skills by identifying an argument or theme, locating relevant information to support the theme, and reflecting on the reading. Each entry should be divided into three parts:
a. Theme/thesis: every chapter in our book has a separate theme or thesis, sometimes also referred to as an argument. In other words, each chapter is not just a timeline of events. The author(s) has intentionally organized the material to support his/her theme. It is important to recognize that a history book or documentary film is more than a story or narrative.
b. Supporting information/relevant narrative: each overriding chapter theme/interpretation is supported by assessments of individuals, events, and the development of ideas. These “facts” are used to defend the authors’ assertions. After locating the theme, search for information that supports it. The introduction and summary state and restate the main themes of the chapter.
c. Reflection: Aside from locating argument and supporting the narrative, students must “reflect” on the reading. There are numerous ways to reflect. First, you might link what you know about the present with your reading of the past. In other words, do events or ideas described in the reading resemble what is happening today? Or, do they parallel information from another course? How does one chapter relate to another? Can you evaluate the authors’ argument?