Final Examination Study Guide
The final examination will have three parts. The first part consists of identifications, in which you will be asked to give a brief definition of five persons, concepts, or events. In your answer, you should be able to define who or what it is, indicate as closely as you can the dates of the person or event (where appropriate), and most importantly, to indicate its significance in relation to the historical processes we have examined in this course and the interpretive themes we have been developing throughout the term. You will be given a list of twelve IDs, taken from the list below; you will be asked to identify six of those twelve.
The second portion of the exam consists of questions based on the readings assigned for this course. You will be given three essay questions to choose from; you will be asked to write an essay in response to one of these three questions.
The third and final portion poses broad questions concerning a variety of themes that we have been developing throughout the term. You will be given two essay questions from this list; you will be asked to write an essay in response to one of these two questions.
Identifications:
Concepts: Institutions: |
People: Events: |
Essay
I: Readings
1. In “The Mass,” Eamon Duffy argues that for most people, late medieval spirituality was not individualistic but “corporatist”, and he uses certain aspects of the Mass to make his case. Why does he think that “individualism” does not explain the pre-Reformation religious attitudes and what evidence does he use to make his case? Are you persuaded by his argument and use of evidence? Why or why not? 2. In “The Estate of Marriage” (1522), Martin Luther sets out his understanding of human sexuality and marriage and their proper role in the new Protestant communities of Europe. Based on what you've read and learned in this course, do you think that his ideas represented a departure from existing norms and values? Or did he he reinforce norms and values that were already present? 3. Some historians argue that the Peace of Augsburg (1555) established freedom of conscience as a fundamental human right; others dispute this idea, arguing that the treaty was fundamentally intolerant of religious diversity. What evidence supports these positions? Which argument do think is the stronger one? 4. In his essay “In Search of the Godly City,” Thomas A. Brady, Jr., offers an explanation for why the cities of Germany, especially the imperial free cities of the south, tended so strongly to embrace the evangelical reforms. But he also argues that the cities failed in their "search for the godly city." What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of his argument? Are you persuaded by his analysis? Why or why not? |