W‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌eekly Short Written Assignments: In comparison with the group discussion, this assignment calls for more formal writing. Using the sources for the week, you will be asked to compose a short essay (approx. 600-800 words) with a thesis statement and evidence from the source in response to the question posed. These assignments provide you with the opportunity to examine one aspect of the week’s reading in greater detail and also to work on good writing techniques, applicable to any class. Cite all evidence using Chicago-style citation, with footnotes and a bibliography (which can include both works you cite directly and works that influence your thinking but that you do not cite directly). Last week, you read about the Black Death from the Global Perspective. This week, you are reading about it from what we might call the micro-historical perspective, focusing on one exceptionally well documented (although also semi-fictionalized) village. What do we gain‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌ or lose by taking such a close-up view? Hint: for a strong thesis & argument, focus on ONE thing we gain or lose with this very local or micro-historical perspective. Hint 2: Remember that this question is about Global vs local (or micro-historical), NOT about a traditional, argumentative secondary source vs. a semi-fictional account. That’s what the discussion is about. Remember your short writing should be approx. 600-800 words a single coherent argument articulated in your thesis statement grounded in evidence from the source(s) for the week (as specified in the question) and previous sources from the class as appropriate a response to the question posed a response that goes beyond the obvious or a regurgitation of the facts of the reading (that is, involves critical thought) clear academic writing, with paragraphs, citations, etc. Reference The Black Death: A Personal History John Hatcher Da Capo Press, 2009 ISBN: 0306817‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌926