History 335 Fall 2002 Midterm Study Guide
Midterm (Oct. 10) 10% of grade
The midterm covers ME, chapters 1-3 and primary source readings assigned through Oct. 3. The test asks you to identify and give the significance of key concepts and documents (a choice of 10 out of 15), drawn from the following list.
- Pliny, On the Christians
- Diocletian
- Constantine
- Theodosius
- Tertullian
- Jerome
- Hypatia
- Ambrose
- mystery religions
- paganism
- Arian Christianity
- Neoplatonism
- Augustine of Hippo
- Tacitus, Germania
- wergild
- comitatus
- Salvian and Ammianus Marcellinus
- Huns
- Visigoths
- Ostrogoths
- Vandals
- Theodoric (Ostrogoth)
- Cassiodorus
- Boethius
- Procopius
- Corpus Juris Civilis
- Justinian
- Theodora
- Hagia Sophia
- icons
Study and Test-taking Hints:
- The identifications should start with a clear definition of the item, identifying who or what, when, and where, and then explain WHY it is significant (what does it tell us about a particular issue or people group?). This last is the most important--I can make allowances for "circa" (around) dates, but the lack of discussion on why something is significant means that answer will receive no better than a C- grade (7 points out of 10).
- Study the item in its historical context by checking where it is in ME and the discussion material to which it relates. Some of the items are very specific people and documents that you should be able to locate very closely in time and space. Others are broader phenomena, such as religions or concepts for which you can give the general dates and place as well as the larger issues to which it relates.
- When you write your answers on the test, move outward from the most specific (who, what, when, where) to the most general statements (what it is evidence of), and its significance (larger themes and issues). Think of these layers as concentric circles radiating out from the item. Most of the items have supporting primary source documents that you should cite, but avoid describing everything it says. Rather, focus on the key ideas that are representative of that item or issue. Ask yourself, what does this document tell me about. . .(barbarians, Romans, Christians, etc)?
kjolly@hawaii.edu 9/24/02