Monday, December 10, 2012
Homework 6, Due December 14, 2012
Your assignment this week will be the last of the semester - you're almost halfway done! This week we will be discussing the English Civil War known as the War of the Roses. Your assignment is to research a battle or important individual and report your findings. You will find important information to get you started at the site http://warsoftheroses.com/ . Remember that you will receive no points for plagiarized material! The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those that preceded it. I hope you enjoy it!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Homework 5, Due December 7, 2012
The purpose of this class is to teach you valuable information
about our western culture and cause you to think more deeply about our present
and future. In this week's assignment we will continue our study of the Renaissance,
specifically focusing on the tremendous art work that was created. I would like
you to begin by reading an overview of the period found at the link
http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/ and comparing the Renaissance
period to today. How are we different? How are we alike?
Then look at the artwork found at http://history.hanover.edu/courses/art/111ren.html . Select a single piece of artwork that appeals to you and introduce it in your essay. Who was the artist and when was the work created? Where was the work created/where is it today (if it is mobile)? Why does this particular piece appeal to you?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those for all preceding assignments. God bless!
Then look at the artwork found at http://history.hanover.edu/courses/art/111ren.html . Select a single piece of artwork that appeals to you and introduce it in your essay. Who was the artist and when was the work created? Where was the work created/where is it today (if it is mobile)? Why does this particular piece appeal to you?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those for all preceding assignments. God bless!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Homework 4, Due Nov 30, 2012
Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! Only a few weeks left in the semester, so
be sure to keep up with your assignments! We'll be studying some very
interesting history over the next few weeks, and I know you'll be interested in
some of the individuals we discuss. One such individual is a true "Renaissance
Man" - Galileo.
As most of you already know, Galileo was, among other things, a scientist who was tried for an unusual crime (by today's standards) - teaching "non-biblical" beliefs, namely that the earth orbited the sun! Although he was convicted and forced to publicly declare that he had been wrong, he was never tortured or imprisoned (his principle punishment was the requirement that he do penance, which his daughter did for him). Since no equipment had been invented that allowed anyone to see the orbits, both sides based their arguments on other things, such as math (both sides were wrong) and the interpretation of scriptures. So how did this get started?
As we learned previously, the discovery of ancient Greek and Roman history by the Crusaders absolutely revolutionized Europe. In a few short centuries Europe would go from being woefully primitive in comparison to the Arabs, Chinese and Indians (people from India), to being the dominant military, commercial, and educational force in the world. However, it's important to point out the the ancient Greeks and Romans weren't exactly foolproof - their own information was sometimes nothing more than an educated guess. The biggest perpetrator was Aristotle himself. The great man is responsible for so much wisdom and creativity, but his greatest contributions to history are probably the things he got wrong! For example, he believed that the heart circulated air through the body, not blood. For centuries, despite the increasing evidence to the contrary, many people refused to accept the fact that Aristotle was wrong. And he had another guess that was wrong also - the order of the universe.
Aristotle was at least inciteful enough to realize that many of the ancient myths about the night sky were wrong, but he was responsible for convincing many people that the earth stood still and the sun, moon and stars orbited around it. The Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy claimed to have proof that Aristotle was right (therefore the earth-centered theory was called the Ptolemaic Model). When this theory was brought back from the Crusades in the 1300s, many Europeans automatically accepted that it was true, and even found scripture that, the believed, backed up his assertions. For example, Psalm 93:1: “Thou hast fixed the earth immovable and firm ...” and Psalm 96:10: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable ...”.
Although the 16th century astronomer Copernicus described a "heliocentric", or sun-centered, universe as being the only model that explained the movement of the stars, by the time people were exposed to this view the Ptolemaic Model was considered sacred. When Galileo Galilei came along, he wrote a book called "Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences" in which he had two smart characters (one believed the Copernican Model, the other was smart enough to listen to him) and one character that was obviously supposed to be simple (named Simplicio), and he argued for the geocentric model with ridiculous and shallow arguments. It was open opposition to what the Catholic Church held to be true, and the dumb character seemed to resemble the Pope (Galileo's longtime, and soon to be ex-, friend).
Galileo's trial in the 1630s was complex because a great deal of politics was involved and ended in the manner I mentioned earlier. Within fifty years of his death the Catholic Church reversed its decision and embraced the Copernican Model (of course, we know now that neither the sun nor the earth is fixed, nor is our solar system the center of the universe). Why it concerns us today is that we still face questions about the compatability of scripture and science. While many people today embrace faulty science in order to argue that the Bible isn't true, we Christians have seen over and over that science proves the Bible's teaching.
Your assignment this week is to consider the story of Galileo and answer the following questions: How should Christians have acted toward the Copernical Model in the 1600s, and why? If the scriptures in Psalms do not imply that the earth literally stands still, what do they mean? (you'll need to read the verses around them for context). And, finally, what can Christians do today to ensure that mistakes like these don't occur again?
I look forward to reading your answers. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those that have preceded it. Thanks and have a good week!
As most of you already know, Galileo was, among other things, a scientist who was tried for an unusual crime (by today's standards) - teaching "non-biblical" beliefs, namely that the earth orbited the sun! Although he was convicted and forced to publicly declare that he had been wrong, he was never tortured or imprisoned (his principle punishment was the requirement that he do penance, which his daughter did for him). Since no equipment had been invented that allowed anyone to see the orbits, both sides based their arguments on other things, such as math (both sides were wrong) and the interpretation of scriptures. So how did this get started?
As we learned previously, the discovery of ancient Greek and Roman history by the Crusaders absolutely revolutionized Europe. In a few short centuries Europe would go from being woefully primitive in comparison to the Arabs, Chinese and Indians (people from India), to being the dominant military, commercial, and educational force in the world. However, it's important to point out the the ancient Greeks and Romans weren't exactly foolproof - their own information was sometimes nothing more than an educated guess. The biggest perpetrator was Aristotle himself. The great man is responsible for so much wisdom and creativity, but his greatest contributions to history are probably the things he got wrong! For example, he believed that the heart circulated air through the body, not blood. For centuries, despite the increasing evidence to the contrary, many people refused to accept the fact that Aristotle was wrong. And he had another guess that was wrong also - the order of the universe.
Aristotle was at least inciteful enough to realize that many of the ancient myths about the night sky were wrong, but he was responsible for convincing many people that the earth stood still and the sun, moon and stars orbited around it. The Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy claimed to have proof that Aristotle was right (therefore the earth-centered theory was called the Ptolemaic Model). When this theory was brought back from the Crusades in the 1300s, many Europeans automatically accepted that it was true, and even found scripture that, the believed, backed up his assertions. For example, Psalm 93:1: “Thou hast fixed the earth immovable and firm ...” and Psalm 96:10: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable ...”.
Although the 16th century astronomer Copernicus described a "heliocentric", or sun-centered, universe as being the only model that explained the movement of the stars, by the time people were exposed to this view the Ptolemaic Model was considered sacred. When Galileo Galilei came along, he wrote a book called "Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences" in which he had two smart characters (one believed the Copernican Model, the other was smart enough to listen to him) and one character that was obviously supposed to be simple (named Simplicio), and he argued for the geocentric model with ridiculous and shallow arguments. It was open opposition to what the Catholic Church held to be true, and the dumb character seemed to resemble the Pope (Galileo's longtime, and soon to be ex-, friend).
Galileo's trial in the 1630s was complex because a great deal of politics was involved and ended in the manner I mentioned earlier. Within fifty years of his death the Catholic Church reversed its decision and embraced the Copernican Model (of course, we know now that neither the sun nor the earth is fixed, nor is our solar system the center of the universe). Why it concerns us today is that we still face questions about the compatability of scripture and science. While many people today embrace faulty science in order to argue that the Bible isn't true, we Christians have seen over and over that science proves the Bible's teaching.
Your assignment this week is to consider the story of Galileo and answer the following questions: How should Christians have acted toward the Copernical Model in the 1600s, and why? If the scriptures in Psalms do not imply that the earth literally stands still, what do they mean? (you'll need to read the verses around them for context). And, finally, what can Christians do today to ensure that mistakes like these don't occur again?
I look forward to reading your answers. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those that have preceded it. Thanks and have a good week!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Homework 3, Due November 16, 2012
As we've studied the history of Christianity in the days of the Roman Empire and
the centuries after its fall, I hope you've had an opportunity to consider the
incredible price that was paid by early Christians as they faced terrible
persecution for their beliefs. The bravery of these men and women is astounding,
and modern Christians should be mindful that we have the Word of God preserved
only by His grace and their faithfulness. Of course, people are still being
martyred and imprisoned today for their Christian beliefs.
This week I'd like you to research a Christian martyr and share his/her story along with a personal lesson we can learn from them. Here are a couple of good websites you can access to begin your work.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/foxes/findex.htm
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/voice-of-the-martyrs.htm
Remember that your response must be at least 250 words and that you must respond to at least two others (a total of 150 words). Failure to complete your homework assignments can have a dire effect on your grade!
This week I'd like you to research a Christian martyr and share his/her story along with a personal lesson we can learn from them. Here are a couple of good websites you can access to begin your work.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/foxes/findex.htm
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/voice-of-the-martyrs.htm
Remember that your response must be at least 250 words and that you must respond to at least two others (a total of 150 words). Failure to complete your homework assignments can have a dire effect on your grade!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 29 - November 2, 2012
In honor of the state championships won in soccer and jv/varsity volleyball, and the upcoming state championship in cross country and national championships to be won this week, I think this is a good week to take a break from the regular homework grind. This will stand in the place of a homework pass previously mentioned in regard to the volleyball state tournament. Instead, if you'd like to write an essay about the Reformation and post it this week, it will take the place of any future assignment this quarter that you choose. Remember, it was on October 31, Reformation Day, that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany. Your essay can be about Luther or any other reformer; it must be 250 words but requires no responses to anyone else's essay. God bless!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Homework 2, Due October 26, 2012
Because I'll be participating in the Jr/Sr Retreat this weekend I need to post this assignment a little early. Last week's homework assignment was very well done by so many of you!
Congratulations on your research and on taking a stand. Remember, there's no
reason why politics should intimidate you; it's your RIGHT to have an opinion
and to express it freely. If someone else wants to get angry and act childishly
that shouldn't convince you to not participate! By backing down you give up your
right to participate in the democratic process.
This week's assignment will focus on a less-controversial subject, though. When you think of Ancient Rome it is likely that you picture the incredible architecture and artwork that continues to exist and inspire us today. Your assignment is to follow one of the following links and choose a Roman piece of artwork or architecture to share with us. What was the initial purpose of your topic? Does it exist today? What is special/unusual about it? Why did you choose this specific example?
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-architecture/index.htm
Take time to choose your selection carefully and share what you've learned!
This week's assignment will focus on a less-controversial subject, though. When you think of Ancient Rome it is likely that you picture the incredible architecture and artwork that continues to exist and inspire us today. Your assignment is to follow one of the following links and choose a Roman piece of artwork or architecture to share with us. What was the initial purpose of your topic? Does it exist today? What is special/unusual about it? Why did you choose this specific example?
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-architecture/index.htm
Take time to choose your selection carefully and share what you've learned!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Homework 1, Due October 19, 2012
As we continue our discussion of the history of Rome I want you to consider the
enormous amount of dedication and sacrifice it must have taken for the
democratic system to have been adopted - and then notice how quickly the Romans
lost it with the dawn of the age of emperors. The right to choose our
representatives in government is sacred and includes an incredible
responsibility. Voters absolutely must make an honest effort to understand the
issues and carefully consider the longterm effects of the proposed plans in
order to make a reasonable choice. For example, polls conducted this week on
college campuses in states where key elections are being held found that many of
the students were unaware of the positions of the candidates - on issues the
students said they cared about! (I suppose we can all be thankful that the youth
voter turnout is consistently low).
This week's assignment is an exercise in democracy. I want you to visit the site http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/fullpage?id=17012629 to view an analysis of the upcoming election. Then I want you to choose any election on the ABC News site and report back on it. Who is the incumbent, who is the challenger (include the party affiliation) and who does ABC News think will win? Then find a news story about the campaign and share what you learn (cite your source). Finally, tell us who you think should be elected (or good/bad points about both candidates if you wish to keep your politics a secret).
Remember that the minimum requirement is 250 words - you don't have to write a book! Your responses to your classmates have been good; keep up the good work!
This week's assignment is an exercise in democracy. I want you to visit the site http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/fullpage?id=17012629 to view an analysis of the upcoming election. Then I want you to choose any election on the ABC News site and report back on it. Who is the incumbent, who is the challenger (include the party affiliation) and who does ABC News think will win? Then find a news story about the campaign and share what you learn (cite your source). Finally, tell us who you think should be elected (or good/bad points about both candidates if you wish to keep your politics a secret).
Remember that the minimum requirement is 250 words - you don't have to write a book! Your responses to your classmates have been good; keep up the good work!
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