This course has taken you through the development of complex civilizations from their origins in the river valleys of China and the Near East through the global empires of the 16th century. Along the way, you have considered patterns of interaction within and between societies that affect political, economic, social, ethical, religious, and cultural systems. Now, for your Final Project, you will have an opportunity to focus on two societies or civilizations of your choice. You will do your own research to find relevant scholarly secondary sources and primary sources, then develop an in-depth analysis of the ways these societies or civilizations compare and contrast, based on your assessment of the main overarching themes of the course and your research findings.

The purpose of the Final Project is for you to demonstrate the learning achieved in the course by creating an original work based on your analysis of scholarly secondary sources (see the Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.) table for assistance) and primary sources. The HIS103 Research Guide: Library Resources and Primary Sources can be accessed through your online classroom, and it provides links to relevant books, articles, and primary sources.

Your original work can be one of the options in the list provided below. You are encouraged to think openly and choose a format in which you can express yourself most effectively.

Choose one of the options below to complete your Final Project:

• A six-page research paper.