The following are the questions from which I will choose your final exam.
1) Throughout the history of great civilizations various definitions of power and authority have been understood to justify political action. Explain the concepts of authority and power and show the exercise of these concepts in the history of the rise and fall of ancient civilizations. Be sure to explain the similarity and the tension that exists between these two concepts.
2) There are various ways to explain the rise of civilization in human history. Citing examples from ancient history (the four river valley civilizations) explain the logic behind the rise of Ancient Civilization: What caused civilization? What made civilization work? What sustained civilization? What problems did civilization create?
3) The fall of great civilizations seems cataclysmic, yet, for every great civilization, its end appears inevitable or even natural. In what ways have the various great civilizations we have covered come to their end? What similarities exist among the causes of their downfall? In what ways is it possible to avoid repeating their mistakes? In what ways is it impossible to avoid repeating their mistakes?
4) Much of the creation of social and political power comes out of the tension created by social and political instability. Explain what social and political instability are and give examples. Then, while comparing the four major River Valley Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India), discuss any observable similarities among the civilizations regarding their social/political instability and their respective responses to it.
