The Byzantine Empire 

and the Rise of Russia

A WebQuest for 8th Grade World History I

Designed by Alan J. Carollo

STHS – Montgomery County, PA

`

http://www.culture.gr/2/21/212/21208m/00/lb08m018.jpg

                    Introduction |  Process | Evaluation | Resources | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

Your mission, if you decide to accept it, [sorry guys, you have to…] is to complete one of the following activities working with your group members. Each group member must take on a role that is agreed upon by your group and myself. Therefore, after tentative agreement has been reached, you need to schedule a conference with me.

Activities

Your finished product will be an oral report and a debate.

Group size = 4-6 students.

Your finished product will be a mural sized mosaic of the Hagia Sophia.

Group size = 2-3 students.

Your finished product will be a multimedia presentation on Byzantine art or architecture.

Group size = 2-4 students

Your finished product will be live [or videotaped] skits about the scheming and deceit of Byzantine leadership.

Group size = 4-6

Your finished product will be a bulletin board sized timeline of the volatile history of The Church of the Hagia Sophia.

Group size = 2-4 students

Your finished product will be either a map or a debate.

Group size = 2-4 students.

 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

The Process – Here’s what to do…

A. Should Teresa Heinz Kerry have been allowed to help President Kerry? Debate it.

John Kerry might have been elected President of the United States. Should his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, or any spouse, for that matter, have been permitted to take an active role, thus affecting American policy. Please do not focus on personality. The idea is whether or not a spouse, [man or woman] should advise…

 

#1. Research Theodora and the active role that she took in political affairs by the side of Justinian. Present a two-three minute oral report on this subject [you may have a note card in your pocket in case you have brain freeze…no reading!!!]

 

#2. Present a debate on whether or not it is appropriate for a spouse to take an active role in political affairs. Both sides will have time to present arguments and to rebut… point-counterpoint style. Your arguments should be rooted in research. Excellent arguments will be connected to Theodora and her role in Byzantine history. Your debate should last twelve to eighteen minutes. Any sources that you use other than those below need to be credible and scholarly, defended and cited.

 

Use these: http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/EastEurope/Theodora.html

                http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/

 

 

Segments of rubric #  1, 10, 14 and 24 at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

                

B. Artists only for this Mosaic.

Your task is as follows:

 

#1. Find and then sketch a mural sized picture of the Hagia Sophia. Other subjects for the mosaic will be gladly considered!

 

#2. Together with your group make the sketch into a mosaic that we can display in our school. Be able to speak intelligently about the subject of your mosaic to your class. Any sources that you use other than those below need to be credible and scholarly,defended and cited.

 

OR

 #1.  Reproduce the famous painting of Ivan the Terrible.  Present an oral report about the significance of this tsar and his legacy.

Use these: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/

               http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Byzantium/art.html

                   http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/ivan/ivanmain.shtml 

 

Segments of rubric # 1, 3 and 14  at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

 

C. Presenters step forward please. 

Your task is as follows: #1. Use the following websites to research, learn and then present to your classmates on Byzantine art or architecture. Your presentation should last 5-8 minutes [you may have a note card in your pocket in case you have brain freeze…no reading!!!] Any sources that you use other than those below need to be credible and scholarly, defended and cited.

 

Use these:

Segments of rubric #1, 14 and either 22,24 or 29 at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

 

D. Words and Actions

Today, the word Byzantine is often used when someone wants to describe behavior that is sneaky and/or devious. [Other subjects for the skits will be gladly considered!]

 

 

Your task is as follows: #1. Research the leadership during the Byzantine Empire. Find the leaders whose behavior has caused the word Byzantine to be associated with the behavior I have described. #2. Present in Words and Actions a summary of your findings. Your actions can be live or videotaped. Your skit and/or videotape should fall between five to ten minutes. Any sources that you use other than those below need to be credible and scholarly, defended and cited.

 

Use these: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/procop-anec1.html

                    http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/

 

 

Segments of rubric # 1, 14,30 and 33  at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

 

E. Timing the Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has a long and varied history. Earthquakes, fires and revolts all touched this great church. Other subjects for the timeline will be gladly considered!

 

Your task is as follows: #1. Using the sites listed below, research the Church of Hagia Sophia; it’s importance plus its volatile history. Create a timeline which includes construction, disasters, reconstruction, improvements and restoration. #2.. Present a two-three minute oral report on this subject [you may have a note card in your pocket in case you have brain freeze…no reading!!!] Any sources that you use other than those below need to be credible and scholarly, defended and cited.

 

Use these:

 

Segments of rubric # 1,30,14,24 and possibly #3  at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

________________________________________________________________________________________________

F.  Absolutely!!!.

As the powerful Mongols saw their strength reduced, Russian rulers claimed power like god, absolute power. They took the title czar, the Russian word for Caesar.

 

Your task is to complete one of the following:

1. a. Prepare an oral report about Genghiz Khan, his successors and the Golden Horde. Be sure to include how they shaped and influenced that part of our world. b. Draw and color a mural with the Mongols as your subject [please get the subject approved]

or create a map that shows the extent of Mongol invasion and successes.

2. Ivan the Great and Ivan the Terrible were czars of Russia in the 15th and 16th centuries. Each played an important role in Russian history. A. Prepare and give a two-three minute oral report on these two czars and their role in Russian history. B. Then, present a debate to our class on the following: Absolute rule helped leaders create a strong Russian state and was therefore justified as a form of leadership.

 

Use these:

          http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html

          http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/tartars.html

          http://www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/timeline/1500/1533-84.html

 

 

Segments of rubric # 1, 3 and 14  at the following address will be used:  http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Evaluation – Reminder…

Rubrics # 1, 3, 10, 14, 22, 24, 29, 30, and 33 [found at the site shown below] will be utilized to assess the various work produced by each group. Please take time to view and review those that apply to your group.

 

http://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9%20rubrics

 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion

Hopefully, if you have worked hard, and have thoughtfully focused on the presentations of your classmates, you will now have a better understanding of the importance and accomplishments of the Byzantine Empire of old.

Additional Resources

 

Databases:

 

Websites:

 

Credits & References

List the sources of any images, music or text that you're using. Say thanks to anyone who provided resources or help.

List any books and other analog media that you used as information sources as well.

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page