********************************************************************************************
WORLD HISTORY 413: Assignment sheet -- weeks of January 18, 25, February 1
********************************************************************************************
1. For Wednesday, January 20:
Read the text on Hinduism (pp. 98-102). Answer the following questions:
a. Why is it important for a Hindu to follow his or her “dharma”?
b. How is Hinduism different from the major religions we have studied?
c. How do the principles of “ahimsa” shape life for Jains?
CLASS: In-class reading on the “varna” system; discussion of major Hindu
beliefs and practices.; discussion of the role of women throughout
Indian history.
2. For Thursday, January 21:
Read about Buddhism in the textbook (pp. 103-107). Take notes on the
types of Buddhism that developed and where Buddhism spread to.
CLASS: Introduction to Buddhism, comparison to Hinduism; clips from the
film Little Buddha.
3. For Friday, January 22:
Complete the research for papers; begin thinking about the paper outline
due on Monday.
CLASS: Introduction to Buddhism, comparison to Hinduism; clips from the
film Little Buddha; explanation of research paper outline expectations.
4. For Monday, January 25:
Turn in a detailed typed outline of your paper, using proper outline format,
broken down to the 1.2.3. level in at least some areas. Attach a bibliography
that includes at least five sources (at least two print) using proper
bibliographic format. At the top, use the word BIBLIOGRAPHY (centered,
all in capitals), not “Works Cited.”
CLASS: Discussion of the history of Buddhism and its impact outside of India;
finish film from Little Buddha, discussion of its message; introduction
to Empires in India; extra-credit illustration assignment.
5. For Wednesday, January 27:
Read about early Indian Empires in the text (pp. 233-241). Take notes on
how the Mauryans were able to rule such a large territory, what daily life
was like in Gupta India, and the major cultural and scientific achievements
of the Gupta golden age.
CLASS: Discussion of similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism, as well
as Sikhism and Jainism; discussion of when and how to do in-text
citations; India “quest” review sheet.
6. For Thursday, January 28:
Read Fa Xian’s “Record of India” (inset) on page 239 and Document 4 on
page 245. Type up answers to the following questions about the two
primary sources:
a. How would you summarize life in Gupta India based on Fa Xian’s
observations?
b. What does this document tell you about medicine in Gupta India?
c. What conclusions can you draw about the role of spies in Kautilya’s
model of government?
d. Do you think Machiavelli would have agreed with Kautilya’s view of
government? Why or why not?
CLASS: Discussion of common themes of Indian history; overview of key
achievements of the Mauryan and Gupta Empires.
7. For Friday, January 29:
Read about the Mughal Empire (pp. 504-508 in the textbook.) Take notes on
how Muslims gained control of India, Akbar’s policies, the main teaching
of Sikhism, and why the Mughal Empire began to collapse.
CLASS: Discussion of the text reading, common themes of Muslim Empires
and the sources of current tensions between Muslims and Hindus in
South Asia; in-class worksheet analyzing a primary source; open-note
quiz.
8. For Monday, February 1:
Begin working on research paper rough draft, due Friday.
CLASS: “The Grandeur of the Mughals”; finish discussion of Indian history
up to 1800.
9. For Wednesday, February 3:
Work on rough drafts. Bring your materials to class to work on rough draft.
CLASS: In-class work on rough drafts; final checklist provided.
10. For Thursday, February 4:
Begin reviewing for “quest” on India; start finishing up your rough drafts.
CLASS: Powerpoint on Indian culture, discussing Indian art and music; news
article on women in India today; begin review for next week’s exam.
11. For Friday, February 5:
Complete rough draft of your paper. Bring two copies to class for peer-
editing.
CLASS: Peer-editing of research papers in the Lecture Hall (meet there!).
12. For Monday, February 8:
Work on final draft of research paper; over the weekend, turn in the rough
draft to “Turn-it-in; continue reviewing for India “quest.”
CLASS: Review for India “quest”.
13. For Wednesday, February 10:
Study for quest on India.
CLASS: Test on India.
14. For Thursday, February 11:
Polish final drafts of research paper, paying careful attention to your thesis
and properly citing all material you have researched. Put together a packet
of all of your work on the paper.
CLASS: Review quests; final notes on research papers; brainstorm on
China.
15. For Friday, February 12:
Turn in the final draft of your paper, stapled. Then also turn in a packet
that includes your rough draft, outline, and note cards.
CLASS: Papers collected; something fun.