This first Take-home exam with consist in four questions. From a first
group of three, you will choose two, and then you will add one
question of your own. The elaboration of the last question should
reflect, I hope, your perspective on the information and concepts
studied
in the first three weeks of the course (the topics for all questions
will include information up to the class of Monday 22/9)
I do not expect “right” answers to these
questions. Instead, I want you to exercise the concepts, the historical and archaeological evidence, and some critical
thinking regarding politics and economics of prehistoric societies. Please try to be as specific, complete, clear, and concise as possible. Decide on definite
positions or answers, then convince me that they are correct by laying out arguments and specific
evidence that support them.
I do not expect you to do
additional research for this essay, although you are welcome to do
so if you wish. Using evidence from the readings, class notes, and
slides is sufficient. Online sources are OK if they are reliable,
academic sources like the article databases available through the
library website or websites of most domains that end in “.edu”.
Completing the exam
For administrative reasons, the exam will handed
back, completed, BOTH on paper, AND as a file attached to an email
message to me. I will
return the paper copy with comments and a grade written on it. The
paper copy is due in class on the 9/29. The computer file OF THE
IDENTICAL PAPER should reach me before the class starts. I must have BOTH versions to give you
credit. Name the file in this
format: SWC1-08-TH1-LastnameFirstname.
Replace “LastnameFirstname” with your name, last name first,
capitalizing the first letter of each
name. Your word processor may add a 3-letter file extension like
“.doc” or “.wks”.
Format and citations: Computer print your essay in
12 point type, double spaced or space-and-a-half. Five pages should
be sufficient to complete all the questions (Reserve 11/4
page for each answer). Your writing should be grammatically correct,
properly spelled, and in clearly written.
Please do not waste your
limited space by quoting or summarizing definitions except as needed
to refer to them.
In this case of this exam, unlike the research
paper, full citations of references are not needed, proper
identification of authors, places, theories and necessary
details of facts and ideas is needed to support your argument. All
information and ideas, including the definitions, must be properly
cited in the text.
"Civilization", a term with so many meanings. We
have learned in our first weeks to better define, to be more
precise, about political entities and their level of "civilization".
We have also seen that they may vary, while having a core of key
factors. These polities have different levels of organization, in a
sequence from less to more complex (marked with quantity and quality
factors) . The most important stage is the transition from Chiefdoms
to States. Describe this transition. Think why so many societies did
not reach the State level. Describe why many societies can shift,
through time, from one to the other.
Let's address the broad picture of the Mediterranean
world starting in 1500 B.C. Take a close look to the map in page 56
of your textbook. Narrate the political situation during the five
next centuries, stressing what are the key issues in terms of
international relations. Make sure to mention the instruments used
by all polities to interact between them and establish their
borders.
Question 3
The role of religion in the development of Chiefdom
and State societies is extremely important. Describe the type of
religion it is. What is the competence of the priests?, Of the
temples? Conclude by mentioning the cases in which to can see that
the power of the temples diminishes -albeit temporarily in some
cases- to give power to other sectors. And the end of the process,
the birth of monotheism and its relation to politics may be
important.
I would not mind you start your argument by
establishing the levels of meaning and significance of the New
Yorker cartoons, the winding power of the priests, as the loss of control of political power
