WHIST OL – CTQ 3
Critical Thinking Question # 3: Lessons of History - Student’s choice
This short essay is meant to provide you with a practical lesson from history that is
applicable in life. It should promote understanding of other cultures, develop skills in
analysis and problem-solving, aid you in sharing your faith, help you to interpret the news,
prepare you to vote and participate in our democracy, or aid in similar applications.
Choose only one of the following questions and write a short essay in response. The essay
does not have to be long, but it should answer all of the questions completely. Reflect on
our readings covering this period. Also, feel free to consult any other reliable sources you
can find, whether other books, the internet, local experts, etc. (but don’t feel that you have
to). Do provide citations on your source(s) via footnotes, endnotes, or notes after a
paragraph in which you have quoted a source.
1. The fall of empires and nations:
a. Why did the various empires we studied collapse or falter? Consider any or all (as
many as you wish) of the empires we studied, and cite the empires you analyzed:
Egypt
Akkad
Babylon
Assyria
Persia
The Empire of Alexander the Great
Rome
Byzantium
The Islamic Caliphates
b. Was the collapse or defeat avoidable?
c. Are there points of comparison with the United States?
d. Are there any signs that the U.S. (our nation or our culture) is disintegrating?
e. If so, is there anything we can do to ward off the fall? If not, what signs would we
look for if we wanted to monitor possible future disintegration?
2. Diplomacy and the use of military and naval power:
a. Does the study of world history prove whether a tough or a soft diplomatic and military
policy is more successful? Cite specific examples from history.
b. Does it matter whether the nation or group being dealt with (our enemy, terrorists, or a
competitor nation) is tough or soft themselves?
3. Art & Architecture:
a. What is the meaning and purpose of art and design?
b. Why are there different styles?
c. What were different artists (sculptors, painters, etc.) or architects trying to accomplish
or communicate?
Give specific examples of various styles to prove your point!
4. Philosophy and religion:
a. Is any system of philosophy or theology more true to reality than others (give
examples, if applicable)?
b. Why did you answer the first question as you did? What is your bias (philosophy or
religion)?
c. How could you prove your own views are correct?
d. Did you use reason, empirical evidence or experience, or revelation to prove your
point?
e. Is there a way that you can correct for your bias—or should you?
Give specific examples of various philosophies and theologies to prove your point! The
more knowledge and understanding you exhibit of other worldviews, the better.
Critical Thinking Question # 3: Lessons of History - Student’s choice
This short essay is meant to provide you with a practical lesson from history that is
applicable in life. It should promote understanding of other cultures, develop skills in
analysis and problem-solving, aid you in sharing your faith, help you to interpret the news,
prepare you to vote and participate in our democracy, or aid in similar applications.
Choose only one of the following questions and write a short essay in response. The essay
does not have to be long, but it should answer all of the questions completely. Reflect on
our readings covering this period. Also, feel free to consult any other reliable sources you
can find, whether other books, the internet, local experts, etc. (but don’t feel that you have
to). Do provide citations on your source(s) via footnotes, endnotes, or notes after a
paragraph in which you have quoted a source.
1. The fall of empires and nations:
a. Why did the various empires we studied collapse or falter? Consider any or all (as
many as you wish) of the empires we studied, and cite the empires you analyzed:
Egypt
Akkad
Babylon
Assyria
Persia
The Empire of Alexander the Great
Rome
Byzantium
The Islamic Caliphates
b. Was the collapse or defeat avoidable?
c. Are there points of comparison with the United States?
d. Are there any signs that the U.S. (our nation or our culture) is disintegrating?
e. If so, is there anything we can do to ward off the fall? If not, what signs would we
look for if we wanted to monitor possible future disintegration?
2. Diplomacy and the use of military and naval power:
a. Does the study of world history prove whether a tough or a soft diplomatic and military
policy is more successful? Cite specific examples from history.
b. Does it matter whether the nation or group being dealt with (our enemy, terrorists, or a
competitor nation) is tough or soft themselves?
3. Art & Architecture:
a. What is the meaning and purpose of art and design?
b. Why are there different styles?
c. What were different artists (sculptors, painters, etc.) or architects trying to accomplish
or communicate?
Give specific examples of various styles to prove your point!
4. Philosophy and religion:
a. Is any system of philosophy or theology more true to reality than others (give
examples, if applicable)?
b. Why did you answer the first question as you did? What is your bias (philosophy or
religion)?
c. How could you prove your own views are correct?
d. Did you use reason, empirical evidence or experience, or revelation to prove your
point?
e. Is there a way that you can correct for your bias—or should you?
Give specific examples of various philosophies and theologies to prove your point! The
more knowledge and understanding you exhibit of other worldviews, the better.
Copyright 2006, Michael T. Swords. All rights reserved.
Convenient online tutoring for
School Success
at school-success.net
School Success
at school-success.net
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |