Each student will write an essay on the subject of “The most interesting or important person who lived during the time of our course”. Students may choose most any person who made his/her contribution to World history primarily before approximately 1600. Selections relevant to events we don’t have time to cover are especially welcome.
*The essential question to answer will be ‘Why is this person so important and/or interesting?’ and students will please note that this assignment is NOT a biography of the subject (so please don’t start with “X was born in…” and then tell his/her life story.

*There are a few people who are off limits for selection, either because their importance is too large for a three-page essay, or that person is covered in lecture. Students may not choose: Jesus of Nazareth, The Prophet Muhammad, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, “King Arthur” (not actually a person who existed), Christopher Columbus, and polymaths like Leonardo da Vinci are perfectly good choices, but must be narrow in focus (for example da Vinci, but specifically about his military inventions, or one specific work of art for example).

Each student will write an essay on the subject of “The most interesting or important person who lived during the time of our course”. Students may choose most any person who made his/her contribution to World history primarily before approximately 1600. Selections relevant to events we don’t have time to cover are especially welcome.
*The essential question to answer will be ‘Why is this person so important and/or interesting?’ and students will please note that this assignment is NOT a biography of the subject (so please don’t start with “X was born in…” and then tell his/her life story.

*There are a few people who are off limits for selection, either because their importance is too large for a three-page essay, or that person is covered in lecture. Students may not choose: Jesus of Nazareth, The Prophet Muhammad, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, “King Arthur” (not actually a person who existed), Christopher Columbus, and polymaths like Leonardo da Vinci are perfectly good choices, but must be narrow in focus (for example da Vinci, but specifically about his military inventions, or one specific work of art for example).