A history of comparative theses2002-2014

Acronym• T Thesis (must be acceptable according to the

prompt)• R Reasons for similarities AND differences through

analysis (APRULE OF 3)• A Addresses all parts of the question• C Comparisons (relevant, direct; AP RULE OF 3)• E Evidence (used to support thesis; AP RULE OF 3)

Transitional wordsCompare Contrast Concession

Similarlylikewisein like fashionin like manneranalogous toequally

On the contrarycontrarilynotwithstandingbuthoweverneverthelessin spite ofin contrastyeton one handon the other handconverselyat the same timeinsteadon the other hand

AlthoughThoughEven ThoughWhile it may be trueIn spite ofGranted thatnotwithstandingeven ifwhereaswhile 

2002. Analyze and compare the differing responses of China and Japan to Western penetration in the 19th century.

• Begin listing similar and different reactions: Venn Diagram?

2003: Compare and contrast the roles of women in two of the following regions from 1750-1914 ( East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Western Europe)

• Not just patriarchy but bride wealth, machismo, cult of domesticity, Revolutions, and labor

2004: Compare and contrast how the fi rst World War and its outcomes aff ected two of the following regions through the 1930’s. (East Asia, Middle East. South Asia)

• Think depression, imperialism, treaty of Versailles, Mandates, nationalism, oil, Cotton, Ghandi, civil disobedience, totalitarianism

2005: Compare the political and economic effects of Mongol Rule on TWO of the following regions ( China, Middle East, Russia )

• Yuan Dynasty, Il-Khanate, Golden horde, isolation vs. silk route, end of Abbasid, Foreign rule in China

2006:Compare the goals and outcomes of the revolutionary process in tow of the following countries (Mexico 1910, China 1911, Russia 1917)

• Land redistribution, role of women, communism, role of the “West”, conservative vs. liberal

2007: 1450-1800 compare the process of Empire building (Political, economic or social) in the Spanish Empire with either the Ottoman Empire or the Russian Empire)

• Gunpowder weaponry, maritime vs. overland, mercantilism, Catholic, Multi-Ethnic Empires, Westernization, imperialism

2008: Compare the emergence of nation-states in nineteenth century Latin America with the emergence of nation-states in one of the following regions in the twentieth centuries (Sub-Saharan Africa or the Middle East)

• Revolutions, decolonization, unstable governments, constitutional governments, caudillos, dictators, neocolonialism, economic imperialism, OPEC, Pan Arab nationalism, Pan African nationalism

2009: Compare 1500-1830 North American Racial Ideologies and their effects on societies with Latin American/Caribbean racial ideologies and their effects on society.

• Encomienda, las castas system, miscegenation, laws forbidding intermarriage, syncretism, Las Casas, fugitive slave laws, social Darwinism

2010: Analyze the similarities and differences in methods of political control in two of the following empires Han China 9206 B.C.E-220 C.E), Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E- 55 C.E) Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E- 476 C.E)

• Imperial military, role of religion, role of laws, trade along silk routes, building projects,

2011: Analyze the similarities and differences between two of the following Empires: West African Sudanic (Ghana, Mali, Songhai) Aztecs and/or Mongols:

• Tribute, military trans Sahara, Silk route, role of religion, former nomads, treatment of conquered subjects

2012: Compare the demographic and environmental effects(1492-1750) of Columbian exchange on the Americas and Africa or Asia or Europe:

• Miscegenation, foodstuffs, great dying, trans Atlantic slave trade, deforestation, silver mines, population increase in Europe and Africa

3. Analyze similarities and differences between the role of the state in Japan’s economicdevelopment and the role of the state in the economic development of ONE of thefollowing during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.Russia. Ottoman, China

• Think Mejii restoration, China’s self strengthening movement, the Ottoman Tanzimat reforms, traditionalist vs. modernization (Westernization), Industrialization, state sponsorship, foreign investment, emancipation of the serfs, ole of imperialism

Analyze similarities and diff erences in how TWO of the following empires used religion to govern before 1450. Byzantine Empire Islamic Caliphates Mauryan/Gupta Empires2014 

• Think of Eastern Orthodox Christianity ( Caesaropapism), Buddhism (under Asoka’s Pax Mauryana and tolerance), Hinduism inspiring Gupta’s golden Age if Hinduism, Islam as a political, economic and cultural force. Monumental architecture (Hagia Sofia, Dome of the Rock, Stupas, Arjunta Caves), Laws ( Justinian’s Code, Asoka’s Rock Pillar edicts, Sharia, Codes of Manu), Tolerance vs. Intolerance,

social hierarchy ( caste) vs. social mobility role of women ( veiling, suttee, legal rights)