Title: Measures of Greatness Forum
Course: BC - Social Studies 7 - 1.0.0.0 > Section: Unit 2: The Earliest Civilizations

In this forum, you will discuss what you believe is the most important way the greatness of a civilization should be measured. Several measures of greatness were given in the lesson material, but others are possible as well. Here are some possibilities:

- Powerful military leading to large territory
- Wealth
- Long-lasting
- Important innovations in technology
- Great monuments, palaces, and structures
- Important contributions to science, learning, and the arts
- Taking care of human rights
- Laws and structures leading to a just society

Write a paragraph declaring what you think the most important measure of greatness is. Then, use one of the Mesopotamian civilizations as an example or non-example.

- You might suggest that a powerful military is the most important measure of greatness, and use Assyria as an example of a great civilization.
- You might suggest that taking care of human rights is the most important measure of greatness, and say that Assyria was not an example of a great civilization because you do not think it took care of human rights.

Write your original post using proper paragraph format, including a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Your total post should be between 150 and 200 words.

Once you have written your own paragraph, respond to two classmates with a brief 50- to 100-word response. If you agree with your classmate, add more evidence or examples to show why you agree. If you disagree with your classmate, explain why in a respectful way using evidence and examples to argue against their post.

Rubric

 | Insufficient Evidence | Emerging | Developing | Proficient | Extending
 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Ethical judgements about past events | There is too little content to adequately assess my proficiency. I need to resubmit this assignment. | I make an initial argument for how a society’s greatness should be measured. I may not have included historical examples and/or my arguments may be irrelevant or inaccurate. | I make a satisfactory argument for how a society’s greatness should be measured using a few historical examples. | I make a strong argument for how a society’s greatness should be measured using relevant historical examples. | I make a compelling, mature argument for how a society’s greatness should be measured using several relevant historical examples.