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World History I End of Year Research Paper

Introduction: World History I is a survey course of World History from the first humans through the Renaissance. Survey courses are designed to give you an introduction to many different topics, but does not delve deep into all of them. For this final paper, you will have the opportunity to ask a question about a topic we have covered, and explore that topic in-depth.

Directions: You will be required to choose any topic in World History I from the Paleolithic Period through the Enlightenment. You will ask a research question, which your paper will explore and answer. You should develop a thesis and use the paper to support that thesis. This paper is not meant to be a report, but an exploration into a topic which will result in a thesis paper, three to five pages in length.

Procedure: Your first task will be to choose a topic we have covered this year. Your choices include: Paleolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Development of early River Valley and Neolithic Civilizations, early empires of the Middle East, Persia, Greece, Rome, Byzantines, Islamic Empire, Indian Empires, Chinese Dynasties from the Shang through the Tang, religions, the Holy Roman Empire, The Middle Ages, The Renaissance.

After you have chosen a topic, you will formulate a research question – something you want to answer and something that you can argue about.

After you have determined your question, you will seek the answer, and create a thesis based upon that answer. Your paper will then support that answer.

Topics to think about: The following are ideas of topics. You do not HAVE to do one of these. You may get any topic and research question APPROVED by me.

  • Stone Age: How were humans able to survive the ice ages? How did the end of the ice ages impact nomadic cultures? What were the causes and the effects of the Neolithic Revolution? What function or purpose did the Neolithic cave paintings have in Neolithic society?
  • Creation Myths: What do creation myths (specify myth and culture) tell us about the culture that created the myth? How did ancient cultures use deities to explain natural phenomena? Compare and contrast the creation stories of Hebrew, Egyptian, and Babylonian cultures, what was the same, what was different? Is there a reason for these similarities? How do the roles of gods differ between the literature produced by different societies (e.g., Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek, Hebrew, etc.)?
  • Impact of Geography on History: Since Egyptian and Mesopotamian geography are so similar, why did the cultural and political history of these two regions differ so markedly? How did the lack of arable land in Japan contribute to the Japanese culture? How did the lack of natural resources in Greece contribute to the development of Greek culture? How did the harsh desert environment of the Empty Quarter contribute to the development of the Bedouin lifestyle of the Arabs?
  • Mystery of Stonehenge: Who built Stonehenge, and what purpose did it serve?
  • Homer: Did Homer really exist?
  • Trojan War: Did the Trojan War actually occur, or was it a fictional event that exists only in the myths of the Greeks?
  • Julius Caesar: What is the difference between Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the historical interpretations of Julius Caesar? Was Caesar a hero or a villain?
  • Dark Ages: Is the Dark Ages an accurate title for the medieval period?
  • Persian Wars - How did the Persian Wars impact the Greek city-states and effect the way they developed?
  • Alexander the Great - How and in what ways did Alexander build his empire and promote the ideals of Greek culture?
  • Punic Wars - How did the Punic Wars help to assert Roman authority in the Mediterranean region and what were its long-term implications?
  • Significance of the Battle of Tours
  • Leif Ericson (Erikson) – In what ways did Leif Ericson change the image of the Vikings through exploration and the spread of Christian ideas?
  • Feudalism: Why did feudalism develop and/or why did it decline?
  • Legend of King Arthur: Did King Arthur actually exist, or is he only a figure in British literature?
  • Legend of Robin Hood: Did Robin Hood actually exist, or is he only a figure in British literature?
  • Legend of Count Dracula: Who was the real Count Dracula, and how did he earn his reputation?
  • Joan of Arc: Who was the real Joan of Arc? What impact did Joan of Arc have on France and/or Europe?
  • What happened in the Crusades? Why did they change from wars focusing on religion to wars focusing on personal gain?
  • Role of the Printing Press
  • Causes and Effects of the Protestant Reformation
  • Causes and Effects of the Spanish Inquisition
  • Scientific Revolution: What impact did the Scientific Revolution have throughout the world? What impact did it have on religion?
  • Slavery: Why has slavery existed since the formation of major civilizations? What is the benefit? Why do you think humans tend to enslave other humans? Are there certain criteria for slaves that are the same throughout history?

Approval: Once you have chosen a topic/ research questions/ thesis, write it here and show me. I will sign off on it, and you may begin your research?

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