1491: New revelations of the americas before columbus
I found this book fascinating and I hope you do, too. I am asking you to read the book because I hope it will:
As you read the book, please:
1. identify and explain at least three "things" you learned from each chapter. One of the purposes of this activity is to help you remember what you learn in the readings. Answers such as, "The author explained how the Americas were peopled" are inadequate unless you provide a few sentences explaining what you learned about the peopling of America. Likewise, "I learned about the population levels of North America" is not an adequate demonstration of the depth of your learning. Also, respond and react in writing to what you are learning. For example, what insights do you have about the past that are stimulated from reading the book? This effort will be as valuable as you are willing to make it. Please separate what your are learning by chapter and number each new insight.
2. think about what research problem and hypothesis you are going to focus on for your cross-cultural study and website. Most of my best ideas come when I am reading and thinking about a subject. List a total of 10 research questions and/or hypotheses you are interested in and might pursue for your project.
This assignment is worth 15% of your grade (15 points). I am looking for evidence of a careful and thoughtful reading of the book. Superficial responses will result in significant point deductions.
Upload your responses in Microsoft Word or pdf format in Blackboard by the due date/time. The assignment can be submitted up to 1 week after the due date but will lose 10% of the total point value of the assignment (1.5 points) for every 24 hour period the assignment is late. Late assignments can be submitted to me by email.
- provide a foundation for you to develop your understanding of the Americas prior to Columbus.
- help you generate ideas for your cross-cultural study and website.
- excite you about the subject we are considering this semester.
As you read the book, please:
1. identify and explain at least three "things" you learned from each chapter. One of the purposes of this activity is to help you remember what you learn in the readings. Answers such as, "The author explained how the Americas were peopled" are inadequate unless you provide a few sentences explaining what you learned about the peopling of America. Likewise, "I learned about the population levels of North America" is not an adequate demonstration of the depth of your learning. Also, respond and react in writing to what you are learning. For example, what insights do you have about the past that are stimulated from reading the book? This effort will be as valuable as you are willing to make it. Please separate what your are learning by chapter and number each new insight.
2. think about what research problem and hypothesis you are going to focus on for your cross-cultural study and website. Most of my best ideas come when I am reading and thinking about a subject. List a total of 10 research questions and/or hypotheses you are interested in and might pursue for your project.
This assignment is worth 15% of your grade (15 points). I am looking for evidence of a careful and thoughtful reading of the book. Superficial responses will result in significant point deductions.
Upload your responses in Microsoft Word or pdf format in Blackboard by the due date/time. The assignment can be submitted up to 1 week after the due date but will lose 10% of the total point value of the assignment (1.5 points) for every 24 hour period the assignment is late. Late assignments can be submitted to me by email.
"Having grown separately for millennia, the Americas were a boundless sea of novel ideas, dreams, stories, philosophies, religions, moralities, discoveries, and all the other products of the mind. Few things are more sublime or characteristically human than the cross-fertilization of cultures. The simple discovery by Europe of the existence of the Americas caused an intellectual ferment. How much grander would have been the tumult if Indian societies had survived in full splendor!" Charles Mann in 1491
