Your test will consist of the following two questions. Please prepare them in advance and be ready to answer them on exam day. Remember that your grade is mainly dependent upon two things: 1) accuracy of exposition (you have to get the history right); and 2) reasonableness of argument (you have to make good sense of your position, not just B.S. your way through).
China and India
1) Compare the main differences between the Vedic-Aryan social institutions and the social institutions of Ancient China, particularly the Zhou and Qin dyansties. Consider such social institutions as gender roles, marriages, class privileges, education, welfare, etc. Which society would you argue is more just in its social institutions?
2) Consider the political philosophies of Ancient China and the social/religious ideas of the Caste system and the Upanishadic Worldview. Which in your opinion was more successful and why?
3 comments:
I am seriously stuck. I don't believe we have anything on the Chinese socitey, and I've been looking for hours. Can you please help?
Mr. Nicholson,
I have been conferring with my student cohorts and none of us have found a good answer to your 1st question. We seem to be missing, both in the book and our notes, information on Chinese society. We also appear to be lacking Vedic Aryan government information as well. To me, I think that we have information about different aspects of each. Do you have any suggestions?
Good questions. The information is in your book and your notes, but it must be discovered. It won't be obvious, but let me assist you. We talked about Confucianism, which discussed how social relations should be developed and preserved (all social relations). We also discussed Daoism, which as well had suggestions on the meaning of social relations (all of them). So you should be able to find answers there.
Regarding the Vedi-Aryan sociey, don't focus on the government. The questions is asking about social relations, or society. Consider the major way in which society was constructed to help you find your answers.
Finally, remember that nothing I didn't lecture on or can be found in the book is expected of you, but looking at what we discussed in a new way is. Good luck!
JMN
Post a Comment