Response Options
Option 1: Archaeological Impact
Select an archaeological excavation, discovery, artifact, or site that has significantly influenced our understanding of a historical culture, location, or period covered in this course (Week 1 through Week 6).
Your response should:
¢ Explain the excavation, discovery, artifact, or site and its historical context.
¢ Discuss its impact on our understanding of the past.
* Consider any controversies, debates, or unresolved questions associated with it.
Option 2: Popular Culture & the Past
Select a historical figure, location, deity, mythological figure, text, or cultural tradition from the course (Week 1 through Week 6) and examine how it has been reimagined in popular culture.
Your response should:
¢ Explain the historical or cultural origins of your topic.
« Analyze one or more popular-culture portrayals.
¢ Discuss important similarities, differences, and the factors that may explain those changes.
Option 3: Social, Historical, or Cultural Impact
Select a significant event, figure, text, belief system, innovation, or development from the course (Week 1 through Week 6) and analyze its impact.
Your response should:
¢ Explain its original historical and cultural context.
Discuss its significance within that context.
« Examine its broader influence over time.
Option 4: Focus on the Arts
Select and analyze an important work of art, architectural achievement, artistic tradition, or innovation from the course (Week 1 through Week 6).
Your response should:
* Describe the work, tradition, or innovation.
¢ Explain its historical and cultural significance.
¢ Analyze the artistic, architectural, or formal features that contribute to its importance.