Process

Powerpoint Slides 1 and 2

 

 

First, get some background about King Hammurabi from one or two of the following websites(Note: whenever you click on a link, you should right-click and choose either "open in a new window," or "open in a new tab."):

History for Kids

 

Hyper History

 

Encyclopedia.com

 

Open powerpoint.  Design a title page called:

Hammurabi's Code

Just or Unjust?

Next, design a page which includes a brief description of who Hammurabi was.  Do not cut and paste words.  You may want to re-read the passage, but after you've read it, write down information about Hammurabi without looking at the information.  (Write it from memory.)  Think about who he was, where he was from, what he did, and why it was important.

 

At the bottom of your powerpoint page, write, "Information taken from:____________"  and list the website.

 

If you use any pictures, make sure you write the URL (web address) the picture.  (Right click on the address bar where you got the picture and click "copy."  Right click again to paste it where it's needed.  This saves time.) 

Powerpoint Slides 3, 4 and 5 

 

 

Go to this website. (Don't forget to open in a new window or tab.)  It contains all of Hammurabi's laws.

Once you're there, click on "Laws 1-50"  (You may actually have to click on the stone tablet beside the numbers.)

Read law number 22.

Next, go to this website which tells what happened to a burglar here in the United States.

 

For your third powerpoint slide

Remember, if you use pictures include the URL underneath.  (Like this)

 


Picture taken from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/NYPD.JPG

 

 

Go back to this website with all of Hammurabi's laws.

 

Once you are there, click on "Laws 201-250."

Read Law 202.

 

Next, read this article about what happened to a man who alledgedly attacked a mayor.

 

 

For your fourth powerpoint slide

Remember, if you use pictures include the URL underneath.

 

Now create your 5th slide.  In it you should answer the following questions:

You may wish to start your slide this way, "I believe ____________________ (pick one, Hammurabi's legal system or the current legal system) is the most fair because..."

 

Slides 5 and 6

We have talked about ethnocentrism before.  Do you remember what it means?  (I'm seriously asking you this question...  Before you continue reading, take a second to see if you can remember what ehtnocentrism means...)

...

 

...

 

...

 

Could you remember?  If so, raise your hand and let me know you remembered.  If not, raise your hand and tell me you forgot.  (Make sure to look truly apologetic.) 

 

Ethnocentrism is believing your culture (or even a part of your culture) is superior (or better than) other cultures.  Ethnocentrism isn't always bad (patriotism is a form of ethnocentrism) but usually it's seen as a bad thing.

 

Most people would say it's wrong to say things like: "In America, we eat hamburgers.  That country eats _____________ (insert a food from a different country)  Your country shouldn't eat that.  It's bad for you and gross.  Our country is better than yours because of our fantastic hamburgers."

 

Or

 

"In America, we wear jeans and t-shirts.  That country dresses different.  We are better than them.  Our culture is better."

 

Some people in America might say, "In America, we have freedom.  We get to elect our leaders to rule over us.  That country doesn't have freedom.  America is better."

 

These are all ethnocentric statements.  We are taking what's normal for us and judging other groups based on that.  This whole activity has been judging whether or not Mesopotamian (Babylonian) laws are fair based on our own laws.

 

Are we guilty of historical ethnocentrism (judging the past unfairly based on the present) or are we judging fairly?

 

Answer that question for your fifth slide:

 

 

For your last slide,