Luis E. Barcelo Bronx Leadership Academy High School

A Web Quest for Global History and Geography 1 (9^th Grade)

Women in Ancient Civilizations

Image borrowed from http://www.span.com.au/100women/55.html

INTRODUCTION

You have been magically transported back in time to an ancient civilization. Since you are all public policy analysts, and expert historians, you are easily able to trick the masses into believing that you are gods sent to change their society. You decide to deal with the status of women in society, but what exactly are you going to do? Do you believe women have equal status in the society or will you change history and change their role in your empire?

TASK

You will have to create and present a PowerPoint Presentation on the topic of gender discrimination in your assigned ancient society. You must use the 6-step public policy approach:

1. Define and describe the problem (social conditions, players, public policy)

2. Gather evidence for this problem

3. Identify causes for this problem

4. Describe and evaluate the existing policy for this problem

5. Develop solutions/policies for the problems for this existing policy

6. Select the best policy for this problem

PROCESS

Use the following guidelines to complete your product.

Guidelines

Each group will be randomly assigned one of the following regions. The assignment must be based on civilizations that flourished from 300 B.C.E. to 1000 A.C.E:

China
India
Greece
Rome

Research the sources listed below in order to come up with an informed decision about women in your society;
Use the 6-step public policy analysis work sheets before writing your report

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.htm;

After you complete your six worksheets, begin drafting what issues are significant for your presentation and the stance you are going to take;
Create a PowerPoint slide presentation that supports your position (each member of the group must contribute and present one slide);
Present your presentation to the class and submit a copy to the instructor.

Questions to Consider

Could women own land, have jobs, or participate in the political process?

How was daily life for the average woman?

How does the status of women in the ancient society compare with that of women in our society?

How would you change the ancient society to improve the place of women?

RESOURCES

For more information on completing the 6-step public policy analyst steps refer to:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal

The following websites will provide you general information on women in ancient society. Remember, these are references that act as portals to more specific information!

Internet Women’s Sourcebook: www.fordham.edu/halsall/women/womensbook.html
The History Net: http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/ancient/
Ancient History Site: http://members.aol.com/TeacherNet/Ancient.html
Frank E. Smitha’s World History: http://www.fsmitha.com/indexp.html
Images for your presentation (remember to include a citation): http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen
The Ancient World Web: http://julen.net/ancient/Daily_Life/Women/
A Good Search Engine: www.google.com

EVALUATION

The following rubric will be used to judge your presentation.

X		4	3	2	0
10	Completes the Task with Accurate Historical Data	Completes All Aspects of the Task Using Correct Historical Data	Attempts to Address the Task With Correct Information, but Lacks Details.	Confuses information, does not address most aspects of the task, inaccurate.	You are not worthy of ruling over anyone in this civilization!
4	Power Point Presentation	Each member of the group presents, and there is at least 1 slide per person.	Each member presents and you have at least .75 slides per member.	Each member presents and you have .5 slide per member.	All members do not present and/or you have less than .5 slide per member.
3	Creativity	That’s Blazin’ Hot!	That’s Dope!	That’s Fresh!	WACK!
3	Professionalism	You are challenging my job with your excellent manners!	You need a little more experience, because you seem distracted.	Your group is not taking this seriously.	PLEASE SIT BACK DOWN! I I may lose my job if the principal sees this.
3	Grammar	1 – 2 errors.	3 – 5 Errors.	5-7 Errors.	Be I Bizarro, my writing good not.
2	Spelling	1 – 2 Errors	3 – 5 Errors	5 – 7 Errors.	Pease Hlp are grup!