Honors’ Freshman Sequence

HHI 21: Identity: Self in the World

Fall 2009

Themes/Discussion Handout, November 23-December 4, 2009.

Monday, November 23

Paper #2 Due!!

European Renaissance: New Political Identities

Sources: Machiavelli (from your Philosophy readings)

Do a close reading of chapters VIII. Those who came to power by crime and XVII. Cruelty and compassion; and whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse.

1) According to Machiavelli, does it make a difference how you achieve power and how you keep it?

2) What does Machiavelli think of the people?

3) Please briefly list three things you would do if you had absolute power in the U.S. Then for each of your choices list who would get hurt in the short term, but why your initiatives might be good for the country in the long term (i.e. worth the pain). Be prepared to hand this in to the professor.

Wednesday, November 25

Early American Societies: Pre-Colombian Identities

Text: Chap. 5 (pp. 107-30), Chap. 18 (pp. 434-44).

1) When and how did human beings arrive at the Americas? Why is this significant for later periods?

2) What types of societies formed in the Americas? What kind of organization and governments did they have?

3) What agricultural products were present in the Americas, but not in Europe, Africa or Asia?

Thanksgiving Break, November 26-29

Monday, November 30

European Exploration

Text: Chap. 19 (pp. 458-67).

Sources: Christopher Columbus (pp. 417-24).

1) What were the reasons that drove Portugal and Spain to explore the Atlantic?

2) What were some of the problems involved in sea travel during this period? How could they be overcome?

Wednesday, December 2

Impact of Exploration

Text: Chap. 18 (pp. 444-56), Chap. 19 (pp. 468-79)

Source: Bernal Díaz (pp. 425-37)

Monograph: Trading Tastes, chaps. 3 and 5 (We will not discuss it, but you are responsible for chapter 5 on you own).

1) How were the Spanish Conquistadors able to conquer such large empire? What were the reasons for their success?

2) What was the Columbian Exchange? What products were involved?

3) What is sugar? How is it made?

4) What were the overall consequences of the sugar industry in the New World?

Friday, December 4

The Lutheran Revolt: Renewal of the Christian Self

Text: chap. 20 (pp. 487-92)

Sources: Martin Luther (pp. 456-67)

1) What were some of the problems facing the Catholic Church at the start of the Fifteenth century?

2) What were some of the origins of the Reformation?

3) What are Luther’s views on the Papacy as an institution and how does he justify them?

4) Why was Luther movement successful and what did it say about Christians and faith?