Classical Civilizations #2: Qin/Han Dynasties; the Roman Republic/Empire

Classical Civilizations #2: Qin/Han Dynasties; the Roman Republic/Empire

Empire-Building and methods of rule in the Qin/Han and the Roman Empire

The formation of, and limitations of, “Chinese” and “Roman” identity; social structure and identity

Ideologies of government and belief in the two empires; the interaction of government and belief systems

Relations between Empire and Pastoralists in China and Rome
Students Will Be Able To:

Analyze change and continuity in the Qin/Han empire and the Roman Republic/Empire

Compare China and Rome: State-Building, Economic Structure, Social Structure, Culture

Assess and evaluate “empire”

Advise Chinese and Roman leaders on matters of state policy

Thursday, Nov 18	Review of Test; Bibliography and Footnoting	Bentley, pp. 153-61: Create a Graphic Organizer: for each “school of thought”: main ideas; strengths for ruling a state; weaknesses for ruling a state
Friday, Nov 19	China: The Zhou and the Warring-States period: Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism; the rise of the Qin	Bentley, pp. 161-69 First section of Research Project – Preliminary Summary and Bibliography due Monday, Nov. 22
Monday, Nov 22	The Qin Dynasty: techniques of ruling a large state; economic and political integration; Needs and Desires of Shi Huangdi; Fall of the Qin; rise of the Han	Elvin Handout and Graphic Organizer
Tuesday, Nov 23	Ruling the Han Dynasty; the first rise of Confucian Scholars and the Gentry; how great was Han Wudi?	Bentley, pp. 169-74; 263-65
Wednesday, Nov 24	Quiz on all China reading; Trade along the Silk Road; Economic developments and new technologies; Relations with “the barbarians”
Monday, Nov 29	Crisis in the Han: the problems of Wang Mang; the decline and fall of the Han; the end of ‘China” – or just the beginning?	Bentley, pp. 225-34 & Punic Wars Handout; answer question on Handout.
Tuesday, Nov 30	The Roman Republic to the Punic Wars; Patricians and Plebians: Citizenship, Rights, Responsibilities; the Twelve Tables; Hannibal’s gamble	Chalmers Johnson handout: answer question; be prepared to argue whether to keep Rome a Republic or not
Wednesday, Dec 1	Government and Class Struggle in the Roman Republic; the Graachis, slavery, and the problem of land; Republic or Empire?	Bentley, pp. 234-41; 265-68
Thursday, Dec 2	Geography and the Expansion Plans of the Empire; Conquering and Map work and documents: what advice would you give on how and where to expand the empire? Ruling the Empire: Economic and Technological Organization, War, Administration, Law; relations with “the barbarians”; Pax Romana – good or bad?
Friday, Dec 3	Quiz on all Rome reading; Constantine and Christianity; Decline and Fall of the Western Empire	Handout: Inequality articles – for each of Rome/China, China/India, India/Rome provide one similarity and one difference in social structure, with evidence
Monday, Dec 6	Comparing inequality and social structure in Rome, Han and beyond: caste, peasants, slaves; women in the classical world; would most people have been better off as “barbarians”?	Handout: Two historians’ comparisons of Rome and China
Tuesday, Dec 7	Thinking comparatively about classical empires and their declines; thinking about change and continuity in classical history; the “problem” of Byzantium – the Eastern Roman Empire
Wednesday, Dec. 8	Essay Test – Comparative or Change and Continuity Over Time	Read all provided documents
Thursday, Dec 9	A first look at the AP World DBQ Essay
Friday, Dec. 10	Review of Test