Africa
Ancient/Classical Civilizations
Asia
Europe
Middle East
World Religions/Philosophy
Revolutions
South/Central America
Nationalism
- Write an op-ed covering when Italy invaded Ethiopia, on whether Italy was justified in invading Ethiopia or not. What might you tell others to persuade them to agree with you?
- Ethiopia
- Italy/Mussolini
- Write an op-ed about the Scramble for Africa from the perspective of either a pro-imperialist European or an African citizen who wants independence. Keep in mind what to say to persuade others into agreeing with you.
- Imperial Powers
- African People/Anti-Imperialist
- Imagine the Rwandan Genocide is currently happening, and you have to write an op-ed on either the Hutu’s or the Tutsis’ actions. Keep in mind what to say to persuade others to help and support the group.
- Hutus
- Tutsis
- Both Sides/Cover the Issue
- Write an op-ed about the African Independence movements supporting the movements or you can object to them. Keep in mind what to say to persuade your audience to support freedom movements or imperialism.
- African Nations
- Imperial Powers
- Write about Ancient Greece from a journalistic point of view covering the ancient Greek society. Write as if you were an outsider, and think about some of the most important aspects of Greek society.
- Write about Mesopotamia from a historical perspective, and focus on how Mesopotamia influenced the rest of the world.
- Write about ancient Rome if you were a journalist covering daily life and how Roman society functions. When writing your article focus on aspects of Roman culture that is unique to the Romans.
- Write about ancient Egypt from a journalistic perspective. Focus on daily life in Egypt and the unique aspects of Egyptian culture. (Note: as all of the links included here are taken from the Louvre, you will have to translate the web page from French to English)
- Write about the Persian Empire from a journalistic perspective that focuses on Persian society and culture.
- Write about Confucian morals from the perspective of someone in China during the rise of Confucianism. Write either in favor of Confucianism or rejecting the ideology.
- Write an op-ed from a British or Chinese perspective on the Opium Wars. In the op-ed attempt to convince the reader to side with either the Chinese or Britain.
- European Countries
- China
- Write an op-ed about the Taiping rebellion from the perspective of someone supporting the Manchu Qing dynasty or the Taiping kingdom. In the op-ed address whether you support the rebellion or not, and attempt to convince the reader to side with either the Taiping or the Manchu Qing dynasty.
- Manchu Qing dynasty
- Taiping Kingdom
- Other
- Write about the Silk Road from a journalistic point of view. Focus on the time period, and its importance.
- Account of a Journey to the West by Ye-lü Ch’u ts’ai
- The Travels of Ch’ang Ch’un to the West Recorded by His Disciple Li Chi Ch’ang
- William of Rubruck’s Account of the Mongols
- The Travels of John De MarIgnolli
- The Travels of Pero Tafur
- Chinese Accounts of Rome, Byzantium and the Middle East
- The History of the Life and Travels of Rabban Sawma
- Write an op-ed from the perspective of someone living in China during the Boxer rebellion about whether they support the rebellion or not. In the op-ed focus on convincing the reader to side with or against the rebellion.
- Pro Revolution
- Anti Revolution
- Imagine that you are in Europe during the enlightenment, and you have to write an op-ed on accepting or rejecting enlightenment thoughts. In the op-ed persuade the reader to accept or reject the enlightenment.
- Pro Enlightenment/ Enlightenment Thinkers
- Anti Enlightenment
- Imagine that the Reformation is going on, and you have to write an op-ed convincing the reader to side with the Roman Catholics or the Protestants. In the op-ed focus on the time period and the beliefs of each group to attempt to convince the reader.
- Roman Catholic:
- Pro-Protestant:
- Write about the Renaissance as a non-European journalist living in the same time period. In the article focus on aspects of the renaissance lifestyle that are unique.
- Write an article about the plague from the perspective of someone living in Europe during the plague. Focus on how the plague changed daily life.
- Write an op-ed about the British and French mandate systems. In the op-ed imagine that the mandates are currently going on and attempt to persuade the reader to be in favor of the mandate system or against them.
- Imagine that the Suez Crisis is happening, and you have to write an op-ed to convince others to help support Egypt or Israel. In the op-ed focus on what to tell the reader to have them support your side.
- Egypt
- Israel/France/Britain
- America:
- Imagine that the Gulf War is happening currently, and you have to write an op-ed about the Gulf War. In the op-ed, you should try to persuade the reader to support or oppose Iraq.
- Iraq
- Other
- Write about the rise of Islam from a journalistic point of view.
- Imagine that you are reporting covering Egyptian mythology during the time period when it was popular. Keep in mind the time period and how religion impacted society.
- Write about Greek and Roman mythology from the perspectives of Greek or Roman citizens and focus on how the ideology impacted society.
- Write about Mesopotamian religion from the perspective of someone not from Mesopotamia, focusing on how their religion influences their society and how Mesopotamian religion is unique.
- Write about Christianity as if you were a reporter during the rise of Christianity.
- Write about Ithe rise of Islam from a journalistic perspective.
- Write about the beginnings of Buddhism as if you were there from a journalistic perspective. When writing, keep in mind the time period and your perspective.
- Imagine that the Reformation is going on, and you have to write an op-ed convincing the reader to side with the Roman Catholics or the Protestants. In the op-ed focus on the time period and the beliefs of each group to attempt to convince the reader.
- Roman Catholic
- Pro-Protestant
- Imagine that the French Revolution is happening currently, and you have to write an op-ed that is either for or against the revolution. What might you tell others to persuade them to join the Revolutionaries or act against the revolution?
- Anti-Revolutionary
- Pro-Revolutionary
- Imagine that the Haitian revolution is happening, and you have to write an op-ed from either someone in favor of slavery in Haiti or someone in favor of the revolution. What would you convey in your op-ed to gather support for your cause?
- Pro-slavery
- Anti-Slavery
- Neutral (criticizes both)
- Write an op-ed imaging that the scientific revolution is currently going on. In the op-ed try and convince the reader to be for or against science, and think about what to say to persuade your reader.
- Imagine that the Industrial Revolution is happening currently and you have to write an op-ed on the Industrial Revolution. In the op-ed write from the perspective of someone who is pro-revolution or anti-revolution. In your op-ed think about what you would say to persuade someone to join or oppose the revolution.
- Imagine that the Cuban revolution is currently going on, and you have to write an op-ed describing your stance on the revolution.
- Pro-revolution
- Anti-Revolution
- Fear and Loathing of Fidel Castro: Sources of US Policy Towards Cuba
- Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act and Other Internal Security Laws of the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States Senate
- Interim Report: Alleged Assassination Plots Involving Foreign Leaders
- Imagine you are a witness to the conquest of the Aztecs, and you have to write an op-ed either defending or opposing the conquest. In your op-ed focus on what to say to persuade the reader to agree with you.
- Imagine that the Mexican-American war is currently happening, and you have to write an op-ed defending or opposing the war. In the op-ed focus on what to say to someone to persuade them to back your cause.
- Imagine that the Panama Canal is about to be built, and you have to write an op-ed in favor of building the canal or an op-ed stating that the canal should not be built. What would you say to someone to convince them to either support or reject the building of the canal?
- Pro-canal
- Anti-canal
- Imagine that information about Operation Condor has been released, and you have to write an op-ed defending it or disagreeing with it. In your op-ed focus on persuading the reader to either support or oppose Operation Condor.
- CIA Weekly Briefing
- Montevideo 2702, July 20, 1976 Obtained by John Dinges
- CIA Weekly Meeting – 30 July 1976, “Operation Condor”
- Operation Condor Documents Indicate 1976 Terrorist Attack In Washington Might Have Been Prevented
- CIA weekly Meeting, 27 August 1976, “Operation Condor”
- October 4, 1976, “Operation Condor”
WWI
- Imagine that Archduke Ferdinand was just assassinated. Write about the event from a journalistic point of view. Keep in mind nationalist feelings, and which country the piece would be written in/for during the time period.
- Serbian
- Austria Hungry
- Imagine that you are alive during WWI and in an Ally country. Write an op-ed about the use of propaganda. Keep in mind its impact on the public.
- Imagine that it is 1933. Write an op-ed about whether the Treaty of Versaille was just or not. Keep in mind its impacts on the world.
WWII
- Imagine that you are in Germany during WWII. Write an op-ed on the impacts of nationalism and nationalist propaganda. Keep in mind its impact on the public.
- Imagine that you are in Italy under Mussolini’s control. Write an op-ed about Mussolini’s impact on the people of Italy.
- Pro/Uniting
- Con/Fascist
- Imagine that it is the early 1950’s. Write an op-ed about the Mau Mau revolution in Kenya. Keep in mind the rise of African nationalism after WWI and WWII.