Print and bring to class the Final Exam Review Sheet (under Readings and Handouts).

Exploration sources (Alvise da Cadamosto; Bernal Diaz) here under Readings and Handouts.

To guide your reading:

What does each author say about particular aspects of the society they are describing (I.e. economics (food, clothing, buildings, technology, etc.), politics, religion, cultural behaviors, etc.)

Where does each author explicitly compare the society to Europe? Which side “wins” these comparisons?

In general, what does the author praise or criticize about the other society? What do the natives praise or criticize about Europeans?

"Why Did China Stop Exploring?" class debate

written participation due (details under Assignments)

Taking Sides reading (here under Readings and Handouts)

Change from syllabus: Trad/Enc 266-268

Plague sources (Paris Medical Faculty report; Ibn Ridwan; Decameron; Vox in Rama; Jean de Venette; al-Maqrizi; Ibn Battutah)

To guide your reading:

Note: you do not need to read the medical sources in detail; I will explain them in class.

1. What did medieval people think caused the plague, and therefore how could it be treated or prevented?
2. What were some of the economic and social consequences of or reactions to the Plague?