1. Annals of a Former World, by John McPhee
In patient, lyrical prose, McPhee takes the reader on a geologic journey through the United States. This volume was originally published as 4 books; each is centered on a road trip the author took with a geologist, observing the earth next to Eisenhower's great US highways for clues into its geologic past. Annals has this--no borders, idealistic, On the Road for geologists kind of feel (though a bit more grown-up.) I pick up Annals every once in a while when im in a relaxed mood, when im looking for a good example of literary science writing. Highly recommended as a companion for camping trips, if you can fit it into your pack.
2. Surely You're Joking, Mr, Feynman, by Richard Feynman
A string of excerpts from Feynman's life/career, Surely You're Joking is probably the popular science book I have read through the most times, not because it is short, but because it is at once compelling, understated, and full of indispensable scientific concepts. Richard Feynman has an uncanny ability to make physics easily digestible, his lectures are a testament to that and Surely You're Joking is no exception. Feynman's easy prose makes the reader feel like physics is understandable, as if he has laid out a diagram of the universe
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Enduring Love is a fiction book, partially written from the perspective of a former scientist, but more importantly, it is a suspenseful story that lets the author's attitudes towards life bleed through each and every page. Ian McEwan is a well-know rationalist who believes that science is just as much a part of culture as anything else--a position with which I very much empathize. This is a literary tale, sure, but McEwan manages to mention scientific ideas all over the place, integrating science and its ways of thinking into the lives of his complex characters and slowly revealing situations. It's a
In 1596- Abraham Ortelius took note that the coastlines of the continents seemed to be too fitting together. He initiated a theory that stated that the continents were probably joined at one point in time and were torn apart between Europe and Africa. In the year of 1912, Alfred Wegener stated that the continents were once joined in a supercontinent called Pangea.
1. Based on your reading of the two primary source documents for this module, in what ways do you feel these documents are historically significant? In what ways do documents such as these help historians to understand history? In the end, what were the main reasons for dropping these two weapons on Japan?
6. What specific actions did Hammurabi take in his attempt to provide for the good order of society and the basic welfare of his subjects?
World History in Context, written by David Christian (2003), questions the context of world history as well as the complexity of human history and the societies with which they live. In Christian’s article he argues that looking at world history in its global context, rather than one specific moment in history, is the way it is intended to be interpreted and allows historians to recognize reoccurring patterns and themes. World history is meant to be an unbiased account of only one specific species, humans (Christian 2003, 437-438). Historians often struggle with this challenging topic and tend to produce works extremely biased, usually towards stable ‘western civilizations’ and
Imperialism was a time period in which more developed nations colonized less developed nations. The developed nations took advantage of the less developed nations resources, people, lands, and much more. Many countries lost their freedom and independence due to imperialism, however, they also received new technologies and innovations.
Geography played a big role in determining the political units and economic institutions of Mediterranean society. The mountains interspersed throughout the Greek peninsula led to regionalism in the form of city-states. This was a departure from the centralized government of China. The fact that civilization developed along a peninsula also shaped Mediterranean culture. The ocean provided some protection from invaders and allowed for the advancement of trade.
All empires sought to foster an imperial identity that transcended more local identities and loyalties.
Imperialism is the spread of control over territories across the globe. The Industrial Revolution and interests in nationalism created a new period of imperialism around 1750. Old imperialism lasted from 1450- 1750, but imperialism alone remained until 1914.Old imperialism and new imperialism shared the same basic concept of controlling and utilizing foreign countries. Old imperialism focused mainly on systems of trade while new imperialism took bolder steps to overtaking nations.
2. The purpose of missionary work can be to convert people to Christianity. However, it causes political controvesary and confcit.
1. Humans first appeared on Earth during the Paleolithic Era. The evidence of burial grounds, stone tools, and other items shows a general migration path of humans out of Africa, and support the theory that these groups were nomadic hunters and foragers. Early humans were mobile and could adapt to different geographical settings from savannah to Ice Age tundra. Anthropologists infer that these bands were relatively egalitarian.
Different classical civilizations often stressed similar values and issues. Classical civilizations were all constantly trying to unify their people to form a shared culture. They also tried to expand their empires. They would try to unify people through politics, religion, and philosophy. They promoted a common language and social structures for people to follow. Classical civilizations used many methods involving integration and expansion in their empire.
Historians have learned a great deal about the Crusades from chroniclers like William of Tyre and Ibn al-Qalanisi. Today, reporters and newscasters travel all over the world to report on international events, including conflicts. Reporters and world leaders use social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook to connect with the public. Imagine what we might know had there been access to television, cell phones, and social media in the 13th century.
How could rational thought and technological development have affected the world’s development in the modern age and the development to where we are today?
At Penn, the undergraduate program that I would apply to would be the College of Arts and Sciences, which houses just about all of my known academic interest: Physics, Philosophy, Anthropology, and the Performing Arts. I developed a slight interest in Physics in middle which really solidified during my Advanced Physics class junior year. I found the class to be engaging, complex, and something that I was able to grasp very intuitively. The class inspired me to experiment around and research with concepts both in and outside the classroom. I found myself investigation more in our hands-on experiments in class and exploring other concepts, such as the Magnus effect and String theory, which we do not cover in the course.
Upon first glance science and love do not go together, one is based on the logical and the practical the other based on emotion and feeling. Despite this association the speaker’s use of scientific diction to explain their love compels belief in their argument, as their evidence is based on pure