1.  Compare the institutions and culture of the Arab Empire of the Abbasids with those of the Roman Empire/Chinese Han Empire [on the exam, one of these would be selected].

2.  Compare the cultural accomplishments of the Arabs of the Abbasid period with those of classical Athens.

3.  Compare the economic and cultural relationships between one of the following pairs of society - 1) east and west along the silk roads;  2) Europe and the Ottomans; 3)Europe and the Arab Islamic world. [on the exam, two of these pairs will be included]

4.  Compare were the most important elements of Bantu and Swahili society with those in Maya and Aztec society.

5.  Compare the effects of geography and plant/animal domestication in the emergence of human societies in two of the following areas:  the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, East Asia [on the exam 3 of these areas will be chosen]

6.  Compare the position of women in two of the following societies - classical China, classical Greece, classical India, Swahili Africa, the Abbasid Islamic world. [on the exam, 3 of the areas will be chosen]