some deets about the next test

The test on Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, and "geographic luck" will be given to Sections 3 and 6 on Monday, and to Section 4 on Tuesday.

You will have the first ten minutes of class to study before the test begins.  There will be 25 multiple choice questions on this Scantron test, so bring a pencil and be ready to go.  You will not be using your blog or written notes on this test.

After you take this test, we will review the first test you took (Prehistory and Mesopotamia).  For some, there will be dinging of the small bell, and great joy in the village.

The following day, will will begin our studies of ancient Egypt.

correction to something I told you in class

I was doing some research for material to put on the Guns, Germs and Steel test, when I discovered that the village we saw - you know, the one where the Canadian archaeologist unearthed the granary - is actually spelled Drah'.  I had spelled it "Draa" in class, but that was incorrect.  It's Drah' and that does include the apostrophe at the end of the word.  

So, be ready for questions about Drah' - and about sago, too.

test next week

"Why you white men have so much cargo,
and we New Guineans have so little?"

Sections 3 and 6 will take a test on Guns, Germs, and Steel on Monday.  Section 4 takes theirs on Tuesday.

I know you have been taking good notes in class, and this will serve you well on the test.  If you missed a day of class, or if you just want to review the video, remember that I have posted a link to the YouTube video on this blog (to the right, under "Linkage"}.

Keep in mind the essence of Jared Diamond's "geographic luck" theory, and think about how it connects to what you already learned about Prehistory and Mesopotamia.

Study hard, and have a great weekend!

Jared's theory

Now that we've finished watching Guns, Germs, and Steel, you might consider how much credence you give Jared Diamond's theory of "geographic luck."  Does it make sense to you as an explanation of why some societies have progressed faster than others?

As you ponder this, keep in mind that we will discuss details as we prepare for the test, to be given Monday (or Tuesday, to Section 4).

I'm starting to think my computer came from Papua New Guinea.  

Thanks for your patience in class today as we continue to study Jared Diamond and Guns, Germs, and Steel.

haves and have-nots

Studying Jared Diamond's theory of "geographic luck" seems like a natural follow-up to our look at Prehistory and Mesopotamia.  Even though the film was shot in the twenty-first century, some of the people of Papua New Guinea seem to still be living a hunter/gatherer lifestyle.

We will watch and take notes on this material in class.  If you miss class for some reason, you are responsible for watching the video on your own.  I have a link posted on the right.

the Big Day

Hooray!  It's Super Bowl Sunday!  The Most Important Day of the year!

Unless you're a Ravens (or Bears) fan and you don't really care that much about who wins today.

In which case, it might be a good day to watch a good movie or hang out with the family or actually play some football with your friends instead of just watching millionaires play football on TV.  Hooray!