This is the very first time I take World History. I found it very educational. Although this class had a very heavy workload; it was difficult to try to keep up with the readings while working full time, all the reading, writing and blogging took tremendous amount of time, I have gained tremendous knowledge from this course by doing so. To find out how human came about, from Old Stone Age to Modern age is priceless; in the Paleolithic era how people use stone tools to survive was impressive. The civilization and religion rose together globally and lead to formation of communities was a phenomenon; how empires use religion to gain power and conquer others. It was interesting to learn that the Mongol conquered other empires to gain power yet they couldn’t keep it together instead benefited them with all they brought with them. The silk, sea, and sand road/world trades had strengthened the economy globally help people to connect all over the world by trading their goods. I found that Confucius teaching was very powerful and humanist, had China followed Confucius it might had been a developed country in every way. When renaissance started at about 1350-1500 Asian, Greeks, Roman with art and people believe it signified wealth and hierarchy, the purpose was used to influence other cultures through teaching.
It were depressive to found out how decision were made in the past such as on feminism, slavery, oppression, exclusion, globally. I felt kind of relief while reading that Abolitionists sought the end of slavery; feminist tried to end, or at least mitigate, male dominance. It was great to see people try to fight for their rights and to end oppression.
I learned that history itself doesn’t change, but interpretations change from each era, century and decade; what was appropriate then may not be appropriate now; what was humanly than might not be humane now. Hence the eras, centuries were pregnant of social injustice, inequality of human life, exploitation of slaves, peasants. All those were slowly recognized during the modern era and were starting to practice human rights.
The Analysis papers were a challenge for me initially but it had help enhanced my research abilities, thoughts, brainstorming, and APA style writing. It was astonishing to me that such thing as Carbon-dating even existed and it is very effective with finding evidence. The 2014 Olympic Game in Russia had certainly made Putin’s pounder for to a second thought about giving back the rights to the Circassians.
The class debate on the significance of European renaissance and the Mongol civilization had definitely made an impacted on our memories on the history of those events. The Oppression of women exercise was impressive; while women could not speak in public, could not use pencils and could only have one text book, somehow they was intelligent enough to find a way to communicate their answers and won over men. Those were unforgettable class activities.
I also gain great knowledge by conducting the research on The Cultural Revolution. When I was in school in China I remember Maoism was still “echoing” in school even after it ended for a few years, but I did know the whole story. In school we were not taught on what went on or what was going on. Researching it made me learn about the significant historical era. I found myself saying “oh my god! I cannot believe what an evil and selfish person he was. He was the reason why China is still a developing country.” The more I read about that era the more I resent him, and I also found myself cursing him.
All the assignments were well worth doing; if I go to the natural history museum again next time I would enjoy my visit better then when I didn’t know history. I remember seeing the canoe, the homo- sapiens, the ape-like looking figure, all the different religions, animals in the Natural History museum in New York City. Thank you, Ms Andrews and classmates for a wonderful class have a great rest of your summer.
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