What Ancient History Means To Me - Daniella

TASK: "Ancient History to Me Means..."

Your first task of the semester is to tell me about yourself and what you will offer to our class this semester. Feel free to address any of the following questions in a 1 page response:

* Check out the website: Flow of History. How familiar are you with some of the 'units' that relate to world history to the 16th century (ie. 1500s)? Which ones interest you the most?

* Do you have a special interest in particular ancient civilziation / person / time period / event? Explain.

* Which ancient civilization are you looking forward to studying? Why?

* Why is it important to study ancient history? What value does it hold to the modern world?

* If you could 'meet' any historical figure from ancient history, who would it be and why?

* Have you seen any recent movies that depict an event / person / civilization in ancient history? For example "Gladiator", "Troy", "300", "Alexander", or "Kingdom of Heaven". What did you enjoy about them? Do you view these movies as 'historically accurate' or pure entertainment?

* Have you ever travelled to areas that are rich in ancient history? Explain. If not, where would you like to travel and why?

* What are your strengths as a student? What are your areas of growth that you need to work on? How can I support you as your teacher?

* What will you contribute to the class, lessons and learning environment?

* What is the meaning of Aldous Huxley's quote: "The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consists in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different." Do you agree / disagree?

CRITERIA:

- approximately 1 page single spaced

- can be done in English or French

- size 12 font using Calibri or Times New Roman

- create and save your document in Google Docs with your name in it (ie.Ancient History to Me Means_AlexCarter.doc)

- share your response with alex.carter@acadecap.org and matthew.letourneau@acadcap.org by Wednesday February 5th.  

1.     Your first task of the semester is to tell me about yourself and what you will offer to our class this semester. What are your strengths as a student? What are your areas of growth that you need to work on? How can I support you as your teacher? What will you contribute to the class, lessons and learning environment?

As an individual, I would consider myself to be hard-working, athletic, and a reader. My preferences in genres are fiction, historical, and historical-fiction – focusing on epidemics, mythology, and wars/revolutions which I discuss with my father since he enjoys this reading topic as well. Athletic wise, I relish in any physical activity that succeeds in providing me an adrenaline rush, as well as physically challenging me. I am currently dancing, practicing the art of jiu-jitsu (self-defence), Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (grappling), and Kickboxing (sparring and conditioning). As for what I will offer to the class; I hope to bring a new perspective and opinion towards certain historical aspects. I hope to live up to your standards, and participate to my full potential throughout discussion amongst producing quality work.

2. Feel free to address any of the following questions in a 1 page response:

·       Check out the
website: Flow of History. How familiar are you with some of the 'units'
that relate to world history to the 16th century (ie. 1500s)? Which ones
interest you the most?

I am familiar with nearly all of the units or certain aspects of them. The few which I think I am more informed of are the Birth of Western Civilization, and The Ancient Middle East. The rest I am fairly unknowledgeable, particularly Classical Asia. In terms of interest, my curiosity and appeal apply to nearly all the units. However I do tend to favor the religious/cultural portion, in addition to wars and revolutions of a time period.

·       Do you have a special interest in particular ancient civilization / person / time period / event? Explain.

I currently favor Ancient Greece and Rome. I enjoy this time
period because of the social, political, and cultural evolution that occurs.
Learning about life in that time period is simply fascinating, particularly
with their “hero” figures and mythology. In events, I prefer wars.

·    Which ancient civilization are you looking forward to
studying? Why?

I excited to advance my knowledge about more or less, all the
civilizations since I cannot, and do not wish to put a limit to what topics I
would like to learn about. Yes, there are certain aspects of certain units
which I am less excited for compared to others, but I hope that while learning about
them my impression will change.

·    Why is it important to study ancient history? What value does
it hold to the modern world?

These are two questions which I will be putting on the
Question document for I wouldn’t mind discussing them. I have some ideas as to
what could be the answer(s), such as we can always learn from previous
mistakes.

·    If you could 'meet' any historical figure from ancient
history, who would it be and why?

This is a difficult question since the list of possible
historical figures updates very often. I do not think I could specifically choose
one person. Whomever I would choose I ask similar questions such as, “What do
fell/think about women be men’s equals? ,  How did you come up with such an
invention/theory/plan/etc…?, What are you thinking?, What is your opinion on..?,
What would you change in your life, if you could relive it?, What did it feel
like getting your head cut off?, etc… ”

·    Have you seen any recent movies that depict an event / person
/ civilization in ancient history? For example "Gladiator",
"Troy", "300", "Alexander", or "Kingdom of
Heaven". What did you enjoy about them? Do you view these movies as
'historically accurate' or pure entertainment?

Although not recently, I have viewed a few of the listed
movies and other historical movies – I favor historical documentaries. When my
family and I watch movies we tend to analyze or criticize the movie; that is
our way of enjoying the movie. Therefore if I were to view a movie such as
Gladiator or Troy, I would analyze what is true, possible, and/or incorrect meanwhile
wondering if it was realistic the way particular concepts or events were done
accurately. If the historical aspects of the movie were fairly well done, then
it boosts my opinion of that movie. If not done properly, then the movie’s
rating drops.

·    Have you ever travelled to areas that are rich in ancient
history? Explain. If not, where would you like to travel and why?

When younger I traveled with my mother and father to Greece,
and visited the tomb of Phillip 2nd of Macedon. I have also been to
Prague, London, Italy(venise&milan), Copenhagen, and Paris where I visited a bit or none of its ancient history landmarks.  

·  What is the meaning of Aldous Huxley's quote: "The
charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consists in the fact that, from age
to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different." Do you agree / disagree?

Flow Chart:

• Prehistory — Prehistory, the rise of civilization, and the ancient Middle East to c.500 B.C.E
• Prehistory to c.3000 BCE — Unit 1: Prehistory and the rise of Civilization to c.3000 B.C.E. Barely know
• FC1 — Biological, Cultural, and Technological Evolution in History Interested
• FC2 — A Possible Scenario of Human Evolution Not really interested
• FC3 — A Possible Scenario for the Evolution of the Family and Gender Roles Somewhat interested
• FC4 — The Birth of Agriculture and its Effects Not really interested
• FC5 — The Domestication of Animals and its Effects Really interested
• FC6 — The Rise of Cities and Hydraulic Civilizations (c. 8000-3000 BCE) Interested
• FC6A — Festive Dancing and its importance in History Somewhat interested
• FC6B — The Evolution of Early Civilized Warfare Really interested
• FC7 — The Birth of Writing and its Impact Interested
• FC8 — The Birth of Metallurgy and its Impact Interested
• The ancient Middle East — Unit 2: The ancient Middle East (c.3000-323 B.C.E.) Have learnt a bit, but would like to learn more.
• FC9 — Farmers, Nomads, and the Spread of Civilization Somewhat interested
• FC10 — The Sweep of Mesopotamia's History (c.3000-529 BCE) Interested
• FC11 — The Cycles of the Nile & Egyptian History Somewhat interested
• FC11A — Egypt's Old and Middle Kingdoms (2850-2052 B.C.E.) Interested
• FC11B — Egypt's New Kingdom and Final Decline (1778-525 BCE) Interested
• FC12 — The Indus River Civilization and the Pattern of India's History Really interested
• FC13 — Masters of the Sea: The Phoenicians (c.1200-500 BCE) Really interested
• FC14 — The Israelites (c.2000-500 BCE) Interested
• FC15 — The Persian Empire (c.550-330 BCE) Really interested
• FC16 — The Impact of Disease on Early Civilizations Really interested
• Birth of Western Civilization — Birth of Western civilization: Greece, Rome, and Europe to c.1000 CE One of my favorite historical period, but doesn’t mean I know enough!
• The Ancient Greeks — Unit 3: The Ancient Greeks
• FC17 — Bronze Age Greece: the Minoans & Mycenaeans (c.2500-1100 BCE) Really interested
• FC18 — The Dark Age of Greece & the Rise of the Polis (c.1100-750 BCE) Really interested
• FC19 — The Rise of Greek Democracy (c.750-500 BCE) Really interested
• FC20 — The Rise of Sparta to 500 BCE Really interested
• FC21 — Early Athens to c.500 BCE Really interested
• FC22 — Greek Philosophy from Thales to Aristotle (c.600-300 BCE) Somewhat interested
• FC23 — The Delian League and the Athenian Empire (478-431 BCE) Interested
• FC23A — The Persian Wars (480-478 BCE) Really interested
• FC24 — The Decline & fall of the Greek Polis (431-336 BCE) Interested
• FC24A — The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) Really interested
• FC25 — Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic era (336 BCE-31 BCE) Interested
• Rome — Unit 4: Rome
• FC26 — The Impact of Geography on Ancient Italy Interested
• FC27 — The Etruscans & their influence on Rome (c.800-500 BCE) Interested
• FC28 — The Roman conquest of Italy (c.500-265 BCE) Interested
• FC28A — Rome's Wars of Conquest in Italy (366-265 B.C.E.) Somewhat interested
• FC29 — The Roman conquest of the Mediterranean (264-133 BCE) Interested
• FC29A — Rome versus Carthage: The Punic wars (264-201 BCE) Really interested
• FC29B — Further expansion of Roman Power (200-133 BCE) Somewhat interested
• FC30 — The problems of Empire Really interested
• FC30A — The Flow of Power in the Roman Republic Interested
• FC31 — The Fall of the Roman Republic (133-31 BCE) Interested
• FC32 — The Augustan Principate (31 BCE-160 CE)  Not really interested
• FC33 — The Pax Romana & spread of Roman civilization Interested
• FC34 — The near collapse of the Roman Empire (160-284 CE) Interested
• FC34A — The Consolidation of the Germanic Threat (c.100-300C.E.) Really interested
• FC35 — Diocletian's reforms & the later Roman Empire (284-395) Somewhat interested
• FC36 — The collapse of the Western Roman Empire (395-c.500) Interested
• The Early Middle Ages — Unit 5: The Early Middle Ages
• FC37 — The rise of the Christian Church to c.300 Ce Not really interested
• FC38 — The impact of the Church's triumph (c.300-500) Interested
• FC39 — The Mediterranean's transition to the Middle Ages Somewhat interested
• FC40 — The rise of the Franks (c.500-841) Somewhat interested
• FC40A — Muslim Trade Links and the Rise and Fall of the Carolingian Empire Not really interested
• FC40B — The Stirrup and its Effects Somewhat interested
• FC41.1 — Economic Collapse After the Fall of Rome (c.500-700 CE) Interested
• FC41.2 — The Collapse of Political Order in Western Europe (c.800-1000 CE) Somewhat interested
• FC42 — The Vikings and their impact (c.800-1000 CE) Interested
• FC43 — Anglo-Saxon England (c.500-1066) Somewhat interested
• FC44 — The Byzantine Empire (c.500-1025) Really interested
• FC45 — The decline and fall of the Byzantine Empire (1025-1453) Interested
• Classical Asia — Classical Asia to c.1800 C.E.: Islam, India, China, and Japan
• The Islamic World — Unit 6: The Islamic World Barely know anything.
• FC46 — The rise of the Arabs & Islamic civilization (632-c.1000) Interested
• FC46A — The Origins of the Sunni-Shi'Ite Split Interested
• FC46B — Muslim civilization in Spain (711-1492) Not really interested
• FC47 — Arab math and science to c.1000  Not really interested
• FC48 — The rise of the Seljuk & Ottoman Turks (c.1000-1565) Interested
• FC49 — The decline of the Ottoman Empire (1565-1918) Interested
• Indian History & Civilization — Unit 7: Indian History and Civilization Barely know anything, but I’m really interested in learning!
• FC50 — The development of Indian civilization (1500-500 BCE) Really interested
• FC51 — India from the Maurya to the Gupta dynasties (500 BCE-711 CE) Really interested
• FC52 — The coming of Islam to India (711-c.1800) Interested
• Early Chinese Civilization — Unit 8: Early Chinese Civilization Have some knowledge, but not enough.
• FC53 — Early China (1500-221 BCE) and the recurring pattern of Chinese history Interested
• FC54 — The Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BCE-220 CE Really interested
• FC55 — The parallel impacts of disease on Chinese and Roman history Interested
• FC56 — The Sui and T'ang dynasties (220-906 CE) Interested
• FC57 — The Sung & Mongol dynasties (906-1368) Interested
• FC58 — The Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-c.1800) Interested
• The Rise of Japanese Civilization — Unit 9: The Rise of Japanese Civilization No knowledge at all.
• FC59 — The development of early Japan to c.700 CE Not really interested
• FC60 — Japan's Heian & Samurai eras (c.700-1338) Interested
• FC61 — Civil war & reunification by the Tokugawa dynasty (1338-1639) Interested
• Revival of the West — Revival of the West c.1000-1500 C.E.
• High & Later Middle Ages — Unit 10: The High and Later Middle Ages in Europe Have some knowledge, but not enough!
• FC62 — Urban revival in Italy (c.800-1200) Somewhat interested
• FC63 — The agricultural revolution in medieval Europe Somewhat interested
• FC64 — The rise of towns in Western Europe (c.1000-1300) Somewhat interested
• FC65 — Leagues & Guilds in Western Europe Interested
• FC66 — Rise of the medieval Papacy (c.900-1300) Interested
• FC67 — The Crusades & their impact (1095-1291) Really interested
• FC68 — Rise of the French monarchy (c.1000-1300) Interested
• FC69 — Anglo-Norman England (1066-1300) Somewhat interested
• FC70 — The Holy Roman Empire of Germany (911-c.1500) Interested
• FC71 — The Black Death and its Impact (c.1300-1450) Really interested
• FC71A — The Changing Status of Women in the Late Middle Ages Somewhat interested
• FC72 — Schism & heresies in late medieval Europe (1347-c.1450) Interested
• FC73 — The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) Interested
• The Renaissance — Unit 11: The Renaissance Have some knowledge.
• FC74 — The invention of the printing press and its effects Somewhat interested
• FC75 — The Economic recovery of Europe (c.1450-1600) Interested
• FC75A — The Birth of Banking Interested
• FC76 — The Italian Renaissance (c.1400-1550) Somewhat interested
• FC77 — An overview of Western Art (c.1400-1950) Interested
• FC77A — The Revolution in Renaissance painting Somewhat interested
• FC78 — The Northern Renaissance (c.1500-1600) Interested

FC79 — The rise of the nation state during the Renaissance Interested