Essay Questions:
Each essay should be organized as a standard essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Essays should also have a clearly articulated argument (or thesis statement) in the introduction. This is not a novel; it should not have a twist ending. For more information on organizing and writing historical essays, see my page on writing historical essays. Essays should cite a source in each paragraph (excluding the introduction and conclusion). Citations should follow a standard style (Turabian, Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.) and remain consistent with that citation style. Pro hint: Zotero will create standard citation formats for you.
Essay #1 (Due Mar. 10 @ Midnight) :
Write an essay that places The First Crusade and The Albigensian Crusade in conversation with one another. The essay should make a distinct argument. Perhaps the argument indicates a common variable that drove the religious violence in both circumstances, or the argument demonstrates a major difference in motivation that caused a variation in the way violence played itself out in the two different circumstances. This essay differs from a compare and contrast essay that discusses multiple similarities and differences. Instead, it asks students to construct a historical argument that explains some similarity, difference, or common experience in how or why religious violence broke out, expressed itself, or was overcome to coexist. Note that the essay should not do all of these but only one. These are only a few possibilities.
Remember historical arguments should tell the history, the story of the events. Place the two crusades in their context to support the argument. While the essay should be focused on proving its argument, contextual information should demonstrate that the student fully understands the course material. In addition, students are NOT permitted to use outside material. Throughout this course, we have read many sources that provide ample arguments and content to articulate a substantive historical argument.
The essay should be a MINIMUM of 1000 words and cite at least four (4) separate sources.
Essay # 2 Due April 24 @ 11:59am:
Write an essay that places the French Wars of Religion and Christian-Ottoman wars in conversation with one another. The essay should make a distinct argument. Perhaps the argument indicates a common variable that drove the religious violence in both circumstances, or the argument demonstrates a major difference in motivation that caused a variation in the way violence played itself out in the two different circumstances. This essay differs from a compare and contrast essay that discusses multiple similarities and differences. Instead, it asks students to construct a historical argument that explains some similarity, difference, or common experience in how or why religious violence broke out, expressed itself, or was overcome to coexist. Note that the essay should not do all of these but only one. These are only a few possibilities.
Remember historical arguments should tell the history, the story of the events. Place the two crusades in their context to support the argument. While the essay should be focused on proving its argument, contextual information should demonstrate that the student fully understands the course material. In addition, students are NOT permitted to use outside material. Throughout this course, we have read many sources that provide ample arguments and content to articulate a substantive historical argument.
The essay should be a MINIMUM of 1000 words and cite at least four (4) separate sources.