Discussion Board #2 – Peter the Great and Theories and Speculation on Isaac Newton’s Mental Health

Discussion Board #2 focuses on assessing the rule of Peter the Great, the strengths and shortcomings of identifying medical diagnoses for historical figures, and ascertaining the possible mental health issues of Sir Isaac Newton. For this forum, write two (2) posts for ten (10) points. After answering one of the three questions, you will enter the Discussion Board forum. Then for your second post, you may write a response to one of the remaining two questions OR reply to another student post. To help formulate your ideas on Newton, read the brief article within the Discussion Board Questions module entitled The Madness of Sir Isaac Newton written by Marina Jones speculating that Newton suffered from bipolar disorder. You also have a brief YouTube video where a psychiatrist lays out the case that Newton suffered from Aspergers Syndrome.

Here are your questions:

1) From the online lecture on Peter the Great of Russia, you learned that Peter brought bold and sweeping western reforms to Russia with the purpose of modernizing the “backward” country. He used every ounce of his absolute power to accomplish this and crushed any resistance. The result was the foundation of modern Russia, becoming part of the European world. Russia will be the modern world’s first example where a leader used political power to bring modern westernizing reforms. Meiji Japan, Ataturk’s Turkey and various 20th century African and Asian states provide later examples. You can address one of the two parts in your post for this question or cover both.

a) How do you feel about such a leader using absolute force to modernize a country? Should a leader have no restrictions? Based on a unique modern vision, should he claim to do this for the country’s own good? Or do you believe that a country’s modernization should be a cooperative effort of the ruler and other political/social elements? Possibly done more by persuasion or sharing a mutual vision? Or is this even possible? Or does a country have the right to resist modern changes? Provide your thoughts within the context of Peter the Great’s actions.

b) Peter the Great believed that modernization meant adopting the values, characteristics and advances of Western Europe (“westernization”). Through his eyes, the very act of modernization is synonymous with westernization. Although we’ll see this historical process more in our upcoming topics, offer any initial thoughts if global modernization is in fact the “westernization” process. Do you believe this to be a true, false, or a more complicated and nuanced statement? You may also comment if westernization is a good thing. Bad or misunderstood thing? Or an accepted reality.

2) Provide and develop your opinion about the strengths and shortcomings of ascribing medical conditions to long ago historical figures whom present-day doctors cannot directly diagnose? Do you believe with brilliant insight, it can be effective? Or is at best hit and miss? Or do you believe it to be completely flawed?

3) In the article The Madness of Sir Isaac Newton, Marina Jones claims that Newton suffered from bipolar disorder: someone suffering from manic depression and alternating between high and low moods. Provide your own opinion if you believe Jones supports her main argument effectively, somewhat effectively, or not effectively at all. Why or why not? Build your position by looking at the evidence and support Jones provides or point out any flaws or shortcomings in her article. Or are you more convinced by the diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome described in the YouTube video? Explain why.

Here are your instructions and criteria for this Discussion Board:

• You must have two (2) separate posts worth ten (10) points for Discussion Board #2.
• Your post should be between 75-150 words. You may write more, but don’t be excessive; don’t write less than this word minimum; this word range should be enough to develop your ideas concisely.
• Remember don’t copy and paste material from the internet. The posts must be your own original writing. Any plagiarized posts will receive zero points.
• Keep in mind that you must post first before seeing other classmates’ posts. To begin your post, point and click on Reply and a text box will appear. Then after you have reviewed what you written, then you can click Post Reply. Then you’ll be able to read your classmates’ posts and decide how you want to write your second post.
• Remember to follow the rules of civility and proper academic conduct in your posts. Write with maturity and serious reflection. Avoid vulgarity, rudeness, and insensitive language. You may disagree with someone in a reply, but be respectful. And above all else, DO NOT PERSONALLY ATTACK anyone for their views.

Discussion Board #2 – Peter the Great and Theories and Speculation on Isaac Newton’s Mental Health

Discussion Board #2 focuses on assessing the rule of Peter the Great, the strengths and shortcomings of identifying medical diagnoses for historical figures, and ascertaining the possible mental health issues of Sir Isaac Newton. For this forum, write two (2) posts for ten (10) points. After answering one of the three questions, you will enter the Discussion Board forum. Then for your second post, you may write a response to one of the remaining two questions OR reply to another student post. To help formulate your ideas on Newton, read the brief article within the Discussion Board Questions module entitled The Madness of Sir Isaac Newton written by Marina Jones speculating that Newton suffered from bipolar disorder. You also have a brief YouTube video where a psychiatrist lays out the case that Newton suffered from Aspergers Syndrome.

Here are your questions:

1) From the online lecture on Peter the Great of Russia, you learned that Peter brought bold and sweeping western reforms to Russia with the purpose of modernizing the “backward” country. He used every ounce of his absolute power to accomplish this and crushed any resistance. The result was the foundation of modern Russia, becoming part of the European world. Russia will be the modern world’s first example where a leader used political power to bring modern westernizing reforms. Meiji Japan, Ataturk’s Turkey and various 20th century African and Asian states provide later examples. You can address one of the two parts in your post for this question or cover both.

a) How do you feel about such a leader using absolute force to modernize a country? Should a leader have no restrictions? Based on a unique modern vision, should he claim to do this for the country’s own good? Or do you believe that a country’s modernization should be a cooperative effort of the ruler and other political/social elements? Possibly done more by persuasion or sharing a mutual vision? Or is this even possible? Or does a country have the right to resist modern changes? Provide your thoughts within the context of Peter the Great’s actions.

b) Peter the Great believed that modernization meant adopting the values, characteristics and advances of Western Europe (“westernization”). Through his eyes, the very act of modernization is synonymous with westernization. Although we’ll see this historical process more in our upcoming topics, offer any initial thoughts if global modernization is in fact the “westernization” process. Do you believe this to be a true, false, or a more complicated and nuanced statement? You may also comment if westernization is a good thing. Bad or misunderstood thing? Or an accepted reality.

2) Provide and develop your opinion about the strengths and shortcomings of ascribing medical conditions to long ago historical figures whom present-day doctors cannot directly diagnose? Do you believe with brilliant insight, it can be effective? Or is at best hit and miss? Or do you believe it to be completely flawed?

3) In the article The Madness of Sir Isaac Newton, Marina Jones claims that Newton suffered from bipolar disorder: someone suffering from manic depression and alternating between high and low moods. Provide your own opinion if you believe Jones supports her main argument effectively, somewhat effectively, or not effectively at all. Why or why not? Build your position by looking at the evidence and support Jones provides or point out any flaws or shortcomings in her article. Or are you more convinced by the diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome described in the YouTube video? Explain why.

Here are your instructions and criteria for this Discussion Board:

• You must have two (2) separate posts worth ten (10) points for Discussion Board #2.
• Your post should be between 75-150 words. You may write more, but don’t be excessive; don’t write less than this word minimum; this word range should be enough to develop your ideas concisely.
• Remember don’t copy and paste material from the internet. The posts must be your own original writing. Any plagiarized posts will receive zero points.
• Keep in mind that you must post first before seeing other classmates’ posts. To begin your post, point and click on Reply and a text box will appear. Then after you have reviewed what you written, then you can click Post Reply. Then you’ll be able to read your classmates’ posts and decide how you want to write your second post.
• Remember to follow the rules of civility and proper academic conduct in your posts. Write with maturity and serious reflection. Avoid vulgarity, rudeness, and insensitive language. You may disagree with someone in a reply, but be respectful. And above all else, DO NOT PERSONALLY ATTACK anyone for their views.

Please discuss and the pyramids of Egypt. Why was ? How was it accomplished? What was the pyramid for? What do you think the socio-cultural consequences were in a society so focused on and the afterlife?

600 words

1. Pre-colonial period (before 1521)

Early Filipinos lived in small communities called barangays. They had their own writing system (Baybayin), beliefs (animism), and rich oral traditions (epics, myths). Trade with Asian neighbors like China and India influenced early culture.

2. Spanish period (15211898)

The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan marked the start of Spanish influence. Spain introduced Christianity, which became the dominant religion, along with fiestas, Western education, and Hispanic customs. Filipino identity began to form during this time.

3. American period (18981946)

After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. took control. English was introduced, public education expanded, and democratic ideas spread. American culture influenced lifestyle, language, and governance.

4. Japanese occupation (19421945)

During World War II, Japan occupied the Philippines. This period brought hardship but strengthened Filipino nationalism and unity.

5. Independence to modern era (1946present)

The Philippines gained independence in 1946. Today, its culture is a blend of indigenous, Spanish, American, and Asian influences. Key features include strong family ties, respect for elders, hospitality, religious traditions, and a love for festivals, music, and food.

Summary:

Philippine culture is diverse and layered, shaped by history, colonization, and local traditions, resulting in a unique identity that combines East and West.

Public Opinion Discussion Board: Understanding Contemporary Political Division

This discussion board is designed to help you explore the psychological roots of political division and how these divisions affect politics today. Please complete all parts. Your responses should be thoughtful, clearly written, and supported with examples where appropriate.

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Part 1: Moral Foundations and Political Division

1. Watch the video:
   Jonathan Haidt, Can a Divided America Heal
2. Respond to the following:

• Summarize the key ideas of Moral Foundations Theory as presented by Jonathan Haidt (you may also reference Chapter Six on Public Opinion in your textbook).
• Explain how these moral foundations contribute to political divisions in the United States.
• Discuss how different moral priorities shape the perspectives of liberals and conservatives.
• Provide specific examples of how these differences appear in current political debates or policy issues.

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Part 2: The Personalization of Political Division

1. Watch the video:
   Why Partisan Divides Became Personal
2. Respond to the following:

• Using ideas from Part 1, explain how Moral Foundations Theory helps account for deepening political divisions in the United States.
• Analyze how political divisions have become more personal and emotionally charged, as described in the second video.
• Discuss how these divisions affect the countrys ability to address major challenges, including policymaking, governance, and social cohesion.
• Provide at least one specific contemporary example that illustrates these dynamics.

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Part 3: Make sure to respond, thoughtfully, to at least two of your peers

Additional Source Material:

American Government Examined e-reader:

1. 1. Chapter Six: Haidt, What Makes People Vote Republican
   2. Chapter Six: Lakoff Dont Underestimate Trump

After reviewing your sources, choose at least one primary source and two to three secondary sources that will provide the best evidence to make your argument. One must be a primary source (something written or said about the person or topic at the time) and two scholarly secondary sources (something written by an expert in the field) such as a book or journal article. Please see How to Choose your Sources.

Then you will prepare an annotated bibliography. It should include a proper bibliographic entry and a short explanation of how it provides evidence for your argument. Below is an example.

Primary Source:

Boom, Corrie Ten, et al, The Hiding Place. World Wide Pictures, 1971.

Boom discusses her time in the Concentration Camps in Germany during WWII. This provides

a firsthand account of the hardships that she encountered.

Brown, Judith. Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy.

Oxford UP, 1986.

Brown reveals that some nuns had intimate friendships (124), even

romantic relationships (156), within early modern European convents. They lived

in a protected, woman-centered community (201).

Matter, E. Ann, and John Coakley, eds. Creative Women in Medieval and Early Modern

Italy: A Religious and Artistic Renaissance. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994.7

Matters argues that women in early modern convents had interests that

they could pursue in convents. Women in convents wrote their own plays and

music (60), and performed them for the public in their convents (65-66). They also

ran small businesses (selling produce, lace work, baked goods, etc.) from within

the convent that contributed to their livelihoods (150-165).

Wiesner-Hanks, Merry. Convents Confront the Reformation. Marquette UP, 1996.

Wiesner-Hanks demonstrates that there were hierarchies of female

leadership in early modern European convents. These hierarchies

allowedeven requiredsome women to become very educated in ways they

could not outside the convent (267). Convents held councils, nuns voted, and

leadership positions rotated among the nuns in the community (292). I was

surprised to learn that convent libraries contained many of the most important

spiritual, scientific, and philosophic works of the day (301).

I have attached the directions for this assignment below. All the readings are attached as well. The point of this paper is to show understanding of readings and topics of the course. I also attached the schedule of the class with the topics/readings so you can find it based on the question you answer.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify and distinguish epistemological positions.
• Demonstrate proficiency with reasoning from examples.

PREPARATION:

• [Since this is not due until Sunday, skip it if you wish. You can complete the assignment just covering objectivity and subjectivity.]
• Review the rubric.

PROMPT: Which epistemology best reveals the truth about reality?

After watching all the lectures on the positions we have studied in this unit — Objectivity, Subjectivity, and Intersubjectivity — take a stand for the best one. FOR FULL CREDIT:

1. Explain the method for getting at the truth for the position you defend.
2. Give an example that illustrates how the truth is determined.
3. In your replies, challenge your peers’ examples from the perspective of one of the other positions.

DUE DATES:

• INITIAL POST DUE Friday at 11:59pm [-5 points for missing the deadline for the initial post]
• Three substantive replies DUE Sunday at 11:59 pm.
• No late posting.

How did the legal advocates mentioned in the “Sex Appeal” podcast including future Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg want the Supreme Court to interpret the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? What unique legal strategy (in cases like Craig v. Boren) did these advocates employ?

Your response must include properly cited evidence from the podcast and the textbook. This includes the use of some direct quotes from both the textbook and the podcast (with a timestamp).

Please discuss and the pyramids of Egypt. Why was ? How was it accomplished? What was the pyramid for? What do you think the socio-cultural consequences were in a society so focused on and the afterlife?