The Rise and Fall of Ancient Civilizations
Essay Assignment #2
Read the discussions of the various factors and theories on the Web site and answer the following two questions:I. In the case of Sumerian civilization, which one of the theories seems most plausible to you and most compatible with the archaeological record as we now know it? Which theory is least compatible with the data? Explain your choices of most and least applicable theories. [1 to 2 pages]
II. Based on your own interpretation of the archaeological record presented in the course, how would you personally assess the importance of the different factors? Which of the factors seems to come first? Which others are highly important? How were these critical factors integrated with one another to produce the Early Dynastic civilization of Sumer by 2500 B.C.? [2 to 3 pages]
Requirements:
- 4 to 5 pages of text; same format as Essay #1. The suggested lengths given above are not rigid requirements, but general guidelines. As they indicate, you should devote more space to Part II than to Part I.
- Due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, February 27. Late papers will be penalized in the same manner as Essay #1 (one-third of a letter grade per 24 hours). Counts for 15% of course grade.
- Print out a copy of the grading sheet and attach it as a separate page at the end of your paper.
- Use the same format for citations as in Essay #1. The same warnings about plagiarism and academic dishonesty apply.
Advice:Return to Course Syllabus
- To help you, I am including a copy of my notes to Lecture 9.You may want to compare them to your own notes from that lecture.
- As in Essay #1, I do not expect outside research for this essay. Base your answers on information from lectures, readings, discussion sections, and the Website.
- Support your arguments by citing specific archaeological evidence. Pay particular attention to chronology. When archaeological arguments are disproved, it's usually because they imply a chronology that turns out to be wrong. If Factor X appeared 1,000 years before Factor Y, any theory that says Y caused X is wrong.
- In evaluating the theories, Part I, you needn't cover them all. Just discuss the one you think fits the evidence best and one you consider invalid.
- Likewise, in assessing the factors (Part II), you needn't discuss them all. They all played a role, but I'll assume you know that. Just discuss the factors you consider most important to the development of Sumerian civilization.
- If any of the terms, theories, or other aspects of the assignment are unclear, please ask me or your AI about them. Don't wait until the last minute!
- Some theories may be wrong, but at present there is no "right" answer. (Does this sound familiar?) As before, I'm not looking for any one particular response. Instead, I want to see that you understand the archaeological data and can use them to develop logical and consistent arguments. For example, you shouldn't say in Part I that you think Drennan's theory is the best and in Part II that technology and economic inequality caused the rise of the state. Likewise, you shouldn't claim that Childe's theory is unquestionably true and that religion is far more important than class struggles in the rise of civilization. Those arguments are internally contradictory.
- Lastly, take a look at a summary of common Problems with Essay #1.