History 151 (Jolly) Fall 1998
Test #1 Study Guide
Format and grading expectations:
The format of the test is simple: you will be asked to write one essay, from a choice of two questions drawn from the list of 10 below. The purpose of the essay is not to find out how much you know, but to find out if you can take some of what you know and say something meaningful with it.
The test covers material in lecture through 9/24, Readings chapters 1-5, and Traditions and Encounters chapters 1-10 minus religions and philosophies.
The essay should combine general statements (defining terms, discussing issues, making comparisons) with specific statements (supplying data, citing examples, and giving evidence).
The T.A.s will grade your essay looking for the following three things:
- A strong thesis and arguments (take control in the introduction).
- Content knowledge and good use of evidence (cite documents, names, dates).
- Clear organization of ideas and information (each paragraph should start with an argument and be followed by supporting evidence).
How to study:
- Matrix: Use this format to compare societies on the course themes.
- Mind map: Use this to develop thesis arguments and define terms.
- Outlining: Do not write out essays but practice organizing your thoughts into sections and associating arguments and themes with evidence and data.
How to take the test:
Spend the first 10-15 minutes outlining your thoughts, including developing a thesis, a list of topics, and the examples you will cite. THEN, begin writing.
Make sure your thesis and definitions are in the first paragraph. Each subsequent paragraph should start with a thematic statement, followed by your argument and evidence. DO NOT write on each society one-by-one; rather, compare them side-by-side on a specific issue or theme.
Cite documents as support in a meaningful way, especially primary sources from the Readings book, but don't forget the useful examples you could use from the textbook or lecture. Avoid "name-dropping" by explaining how the item relates to your point; on the other hand, do not go into a long description of a document or story.
THINK about what you are saying--try to say something truly meaningful about the topic. By the time you get to the conclusion, you may be able to make some kind of general statement about the issue universally.
Essay Questions
In answering any of the questions below, you must draw examples from each of the three following regional groups. You may use more than three examples in your essay, but make sure that you have at least one example from each of these three groups:
- Regional Group 1: East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia
- Regional Group 2: Americas, Oceania, Africa
- Regional Group 3: Southwest Asia, Mediterranean, Europe
- How does the environment have an impact on culture and worldview? Compare the environment, development, and lifestyles of at least three distinct regions.
- Why have different lifestyles developed among human societies globally? Compare hunter-gatherers, agricultural village life, and urban living.
- Do women and men have distinctively different roles in ancient history? Compare different lifestyles, civilizations, and empires and the role of both men and women in them.
- What causes people to migrate and what impact does migration have on human societies?
- Why do complex societies with cities ("civilizations") arise in some areas and what is their long-term impact on surrounding areas?
- Why and how do we study history? Define history and discuss its purposes and methods by using examples from the cultures we have studied.
- How do anthropology and archaeology help us understand the past? Discuss using examples of recovered pasts from different regions of the globe.
- How and why does centralized government emerge in many regions while regional states thrive in others?
- What makes empires great? Compare the features of at least three empires.
- Why do human beings have governments and laws? Evaluate political systems in relation to different culture's lifestyles and worldviews.