History 100 Writing Assignment

This assignment is due on April 23, 2004. I will deduct 10 pts. for each weekday it is late. - It is worth 50 pts.

FORMAT:

1.Your paper should be no more than five, no less than four pages. 1" margins all around, 12 pt. font.
2. Two resources are required; one may be your book, the other may be from the internet, but you must attach a printed copy of the article. If the article is not attached I will reduce your paper by one grade.
3. I am grading you on clarity, content, presentation and proper format.
4. Please double-space your paper. If it is not double-spaced I will not read it and you will receive a failing grade.
5. Please type your paper.
6. I am always available to assist you.
 
1. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, there was a power vacuum. The Catholic church stepped in and filled this vacuum becoming all powerful and controlling almost all aspects of a person's life. The church also filled a spiritual void for many. An area where the church had a tremendous impact was on sexuality and family life. Discuss church doctrine on marriage, sexuality, divorce, child-rearing and whether any of these ideas still affect  American culture today.
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2. You are a reporter for the Athenian Daily News, and you have been asked to cover the trial of Socrates. You need to explain to your readers the trials and tribulations that Athens was going through at the time, why Socrates was on trial for his life (include some of his philosophical beliefs here) and whether Socrates' death solved any of Athens problems.
 
4. The precise status of a women differed immensely depending on the time, the place, and her class. In Greek and Roman times women were demeaned; in medievel times, the Catholic church insisted that celibacy was superior to marriage (women corrupted the spiritual development of man) and encouraged prejudice against women. Explore the following question: how and why were women discriminated against in Medieval times by the Catholic church

5. The Italian Renaissance saw an explosion of new ideas, philosphies and culture. As a young man who is a member of a "nouveaux rich" family who has made their money in banking, you do not want for anything. Your city of Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Describe your city and your life and what it might have been like to live during that time by writing a letter to your cousin Guido who lives in a small town in Sicily. Remember, your cousin probably doesn't have a clue as to what the Renaissance is or who it has affected. In your letter you should include examples of the new humanistic philosophy, new artists and men of letters who have arrived on the scene, how you hope to become a "Renaissance Man" yourself, and be sure to tell him about that fabulous new invention that has just arrived in your uncle's printing shop - the printing press. They say it will revolutionize communication!

6. The Black Death or Bubonic Plague wiped out hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of people throughout Europe in the 14th century. Using Boccaccio's The Decameron, (in chapter 11), explain how the plague began, what, if any other events were taking place at the same time, and reactions to the plague.

7. Muhammed came along in the 7th century spreading the word of the Koran. This new Islamic faith took off like a prairie fire - spreading throughout the Middle East, North Africa and as far west as Spain. Answer one of the two questions:
1. what were the major contributions of Islam to Western Civilization
2. how did the Catholic church fight back against the spread of Islam