1. Consider the role of religious leaders in the development of medieval life. Identify and discuss one pope, one monk, and one theologian (religious philosopher) in this period who shaped the lives around them, each one must be a different person. First, discuss who the person was---where they lived, when, and what their "job" was. Second, discuss two examples each of their contributions (writings, actions, decrees, organizations, etc), explaining what it was and why it became important. Last, what role did religion play in medieval western civilization? How were individuals (the common man) affected by religion, its practice as well as controversies?

2. Warfare and controlled violence were part of the birth of feudal society. First, who were the fighting men of western civilization in this period? What role did they play in warfare and how was fighting conducted? Second, discuss one of the Crusades (there were eight total) in detail--when did it occur, who participated, why was it fought, who were the opposing sides, what were the results? Last, how had the value of fighting men changed by the end of the middle ages? What role did they play and how did they fit into society?

3. Medieval peasants were the backbone of developing the culture of western civilization. First, explain the difference between a freeman and serf in peasant life. What were the duties of each and who were they? Second, choose one country in western civilization and discuss two examples of medieval culture that characterize its development (can be economic, political, religious, social as long as it only represents the peasant class). Last, what was the relationship between peasants and the higher levels of society, in general and then specifically for the country you discussed?

4. Contrary to the label of Dark Ages, medieval western civilization sought to advance its knowledge and technology. Discuss two developments each in three of these areas: agriculture, arts (art/literature), business methods/trade, construction (architecture), or science (medicine, chemicals, technology, etc.). First, explain what each development was for its category--what it did, how it worked, etc. Second, explain who used each development and why--for what purpose? Last, how did each development affect medieval society? What was its impact?

5. Consider the role of women in developing western civilization during the middle ages. First, compare and contrast the general rights and responsibilities of peasant women versus noble women. Second, identify and discuss two specific women of the period who made an impact on western civilization (backgrounds may vary as well as field of impact). Who was she? What did she do? What impact did she have? Who or what did she affect? Last, in your opinion, were peasant women in general able to significantly affect the development of their societies, aside from their roles as wives and mothers? If so, how? If not, why?