1. What was the significance of the conflict between Phillip IV and Boniface VIII?
The dissension between Phillip and Boniface was important, as it signified a large decrease in the apostolic influence. The controversy between the two began when Phillip unlawfully taxed the clergy, in order to reap credit for war with England. According to tradition, it wasn't permissible for the king to do so, without the compliance of the pope.Phillip completely ignored this conventional guideline,plunging ahead on his own accord.Boniface was quick to counter this outrageous act with Clericis Laicos, a document instating the consequences. It read that kings who followed such actions would be excommunicated, their kingdoms  under interdict. Bishops who paid the tax were also to be punished, by demotion from office. Phillip dealt with this, by simply halting the French church's money supply to Rome. Pope Boniface was astounded and at a loss now, because he relied on these assets. In desperation, he pretended to have changed his mind regarding the clergy's taxation.
He told the bishops instead to proceed with disbursing the tax. This was clearly only because he was afraid of losing Phillip's monetary support. For a short while, the fiery strife between them cooled down. However it was only temporary, as the king went on to cause more drama.The French monarch confined the Bishop of Pamiers. He also cut him off from his entitlement to an ecclesiastical council. When the honorable pope discovered this, he was adamant for the bishop's release.
Regrettably, these kinds of disputes would only continue and grow progressively worse with time. Each man competed furiously for authority over the other. In spite of Boniface's attempts, the sovereign Phillip came out triumphant in every incident. At one point, he ordered troops to come and abuse the helpless pontiff. So bantered was Boniface by the event, that he succumbed thirty days later.
His dynasty was especially exclusive in the history of papistic rulers.In the past, the pope had far more control and could independently order a whole crusade. The intervention of the king was in no way required  to perform such actions. If the emperor was expelled, the whole dominion would be in an uproar. Said emperor wouldn't have a choice but to ask remittal for his violations. Otherwise, he was disrupting everything orderly in the country. He was entirely at the mercy of the pope and had little say. All of this was reciprocated, due to the burgeoning endowment of the crown.

3.  Based on the video and on your reading, what were the effects on Europe of the Black Death?
The Black Death was a devastating blow to the entire continent of Europe. It swept over each country like a gloomy cloud bringing despair and destruction in it's wake. It caused the demise of a third the population of Europe, affecting millions of men, women and children. The epidemic was a convergence of two plagues, the Bubonic and Pneuonmic. The Bubonic plague was passed from fleas infesting rats brought on Italian trade ships. The pneumonic plague was conveyed by coughing and sneezing. The deadliness of these sicknesses was incomparable, as up to 90% of people contracting it died within three to twelve days!
It's not hard to envision how incredibly horrible and disturbing this must have been for the residents. People tended to jump to either one extreme or the other, in order to cope with the profusion of suffering and sorrow.  Some resorted to indulging in excessive bodily pleasures, knowing they would soon die anyhow. Others went to the opposite end of the spectrum, imposing more discomfort upon themselves. They undertook grave self-mortification, anticipating mercy from God. A perfect case of this is the "flagellants", who would thrash themselves in public.

Naturally, as a result of the copious deaths, the number of workers dropped sharply. The people who were fit and healthy enough requested higher pay. The employers looked to the government for reinforcement in instating wage controls.

Western Civ, Week 28

Based on the video lessons and your reading, what were the reasons behind the conflicts between the emperors and the popes during this period?


The emperors were desperate and thirsty for control, as evidenced by the numerous approaches they took to achieve it. Ultimately, domination was all they cared about, and they stopped at nothing for success. Whether they were annexing cash or increasing their empire, this was their constant obsession. They wanted to administer the Holy Roman Empire like monarchs did in primeval times. Naturally, this created problems with the papacy, who desired autonomy in their church. It was irritating to them, when the compulsive, power-hungry rulers interfered with papal affairs. A classic illustration of this can be found in the case of Frederick Barbarossa.  His regime took place during the feudal( or primitive) era, a season of political fragmentation. Lords had equal or even more freedom for oversight than the king. Frederick didn't approve of such a system, and struggled to find a way to change it. 

He endeavored to attain supremacy of the Italian cities of Lombardy. to compete with the wealthy lords. But this plan was ineffective, as Lombardy's citizens coveted sovereignty. They conspired with Pope Alexander III, to construct the Lombard League. Frederick Barbarossa was furious and went on a rampage, setting fire to the cities of Milan. He had the backing of those who were inclined to listen to him, the anti-popes. They hadn't been elected properly, that is by the Church of Cardinals. (So, therefore they weren't really legitimate pontiffs.) But they had pledged to fulfill Frederick's wishes. 

He was very violent and threatening in his pursuits, when it came to the eminent removal of Alexander II. Terror was the potent technique he used. Any inhabitant who wouldn't reject Alexander's authority was instantly deported and their belongings impounded! Alas, it would be a trying, bitter fight, before the Lombard League prevailed. Only then did the stubborn, obstinate Frederick give up and admit to the pope's command.

The contending that occurred between the papacy and the monarchy was actually a good thing,however. They balanced each other out, by creating borderlines to stifle the others supremacy. 

English Lesson 140 Essay

Is it easier for skilled authors to manipulate movie viewers or book readers? Why or why not?"


My opinion is that movies are a more effective tool, in achieving the creator's purpose. Today in the modern world, they are a powerful means of communication. A large portion of the population attends the cinema, or watches television at home or on online. Consumers are constantly being influenced by film, in the form of movie trailers, ads, and billboards. These portals to entertainment have enormous potential to create change. Dramatic scenes that evoke emotion and feeling in spectators are one way to grab one's attention. Talented actors make it difficult to discern reality from fantasy, as they excel at playing their roles. They bring the characters within books to life, letting us gaze into a vast, diverse world of endless possibilities. There is no confines to imagination, or boundaries directors can't cross. Book-lovers wildest dreams come true, as they are transported to a land of proverbial bliss. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, their minds and hearts  are being impacted by views expressed in the picture. 

Directors drop subtle hints throughout the course of the 1-2 hours we spend watching a movie. They don't spread their opinions in an obvious or conspicuous manner. Instead, they employ clever tactics to express their hypothesis on a particular subject. An observant person will easily pick up on exactly what they are attempting to convey. For example, in Casablanca, an anti-German perspective is advocated. Elsa and her husband, Victor Lazlo, are trying desperately to escape to America, where he will be safe from the Nazis reach. Eventually, Elsa's ex-lover, Rick agrees to assist them in obtaining visas for travel. 

He also is persuaded to join in Laslo's Czech defiance movement. Elsa's prospect is similar to most of the refugees who traveled to Morocco's grand city. They were all hoping to journey to the USA, where freedom and neutrality were abundant. Germany was seen as a ever-growing threat, whose occupation would soon span all of Europe. It's shocking the incredible difficulties the fugitives in Casablanca encountered, whilst striving to vacate. Unfortunately, many of them were forced to stay in Morocco for years, waiting for acceptance. If they were poor and penniless, this only decreased their chances of success. It took a great deal of cash to buy passports for passage and transportation to the grand United States of America. 
Casablanca strongly pushes a negative view of the Germans, as a cruel and heartless race of human beings. 

English 135 Essay

"Do you see any characteristic features of Stewart and Wayne in these films that rocketed them to permanent stardom? If not, why did this happen?"

John Wayne and James Stewart both had striking attributes to them, that I believe were conducive to their enormous success. Jimmy Stewart possessed a very warm-hearted, gentle persona and a good sense of humor. His served tirelessly in the U.S. army and the U.S. air force, eventually attaining the high position of brigadier general. He was a exceptionally talented and accomplished man, who had professional expertise in many different areas. Jimmy was a World War II and Vietnam War Veteran, and also earned an architecture degree from Princeton University. He excelled academically while attending, composing an excellent thesis on airport design.Due to his outstanding achievements, his professors presented him a scholarship for graduate studies.He also was proficient in his military pursuits, with 27 years of service. His commitment to his country did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded numerous metals throughout his career. 

On top of all this, Stewart had incredible, astute acting abilities, with a knack for passionate, dramatic performances. He played the legendary George Bailey, in the timeless classic It's A Wonderful Life. 

This film, although originally a failure, would one day be ranked as one of the 100 best movies of all time. It is now synonymous with Christmas, beloved by many families as a part of their holiday tradition. Stewart's fine portrayal of Bailey is one of his most prominent roles. This beautiful tale of redemption and family miracles was a milestone in Stewart's metier. Another of his fine performances was in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. This film made a tremendous impact and generated many positive reviews, winning an Academy Award for Original Story. I personally found this movie to be both moving and inspirational, one of  the most extraordinary ones I ever viewed.

It was a fabulous and flawless defense of democracy, of one man's relentless determination to change the world. Mr. Smith was a character that only Jimmy Stewart could do best, and his acting skills were suburb. One can't help but be affected by the young senator's unfailing persistence to expose corruption and to see his bill passed. He pushes himself to the brink of exhaustion, refusing to abandon his objective. These features were just exhibitions of Jimmy's incredible filmography.

John Wayne made a legendary impression in Hollywood, starring in over 150 pictures over the course of 50  years! His iconic face has been interchangeable with westerns for decades, as he flaunted the archetypal cowboy hat and gun. Long before he reached the golden shores of Hollywood, Wayne was a promising student and football player at USC. He was pursing a degree in prelaw, when he was forced to leave the university. This was due unfortunately to a collar-bone injury, that caused him to forfeit his education. He had no money to continue his schooling, and had to seek out a new future. He first gained experience in the acting sphere, by working at local film studios.

This was only the inception of a lengthy and prosperous lifetime in the film industry for Mr. Wayne.It would only be a matter of time, before he developed into a rising star. John Wayne had an overpowering air to him, one evoking manfulness and courage. His tall, strong demeanor and calming voice were a few qualities that made him very attractive. The fact that he always prevailed for justice only bettered his appeal. Even as an older man, he still had a timeless charm about him, impossible for women to deny.

Week 27 Review-Western Civilization(2 Questions)

1.Why was the rise of the medieval towns significant?
The medieval towns arose from a variety of different starting points. Some began beyond fortifications during the Viking 9th and 10th century invasions. Others were the product of Cathedral schools and monasteries. These places generally engaged trade activity, and contributed to growth in this area. Towns were certainly notable, in that they put an definite end to the unification of government. Because of their broadening popularity, independence became a much more prevalent theme. Each town now had the privilege of self-government, free from the control of a lord. Although to be fair, there were some aids of feudal property ownership. People within the towns were afforded constant protection from their Lords. In turn, the Lords reaped the income of the taxes paid them by their serfs. But citizens were beginning to seek out more supervision of their affairs. They went about this by seeking charters, and making deals to retain their claims. If a lord was in need of military service, they would supply him with it. In exchange, they queried for more prerogative. Soon, the people of the medieval towns had predominant jurisdiction. Each town was soon in charge of it's own unique administration. On the occasion that an inhabitant was displeased with their government, they could simply move elsewhere.
These changes led to an increased level of harmony and safety. Previously, only one government had power over a region. This made it effortless for intruders to come in and take over. But with the new system in place, carrying out such plans was hard. There were hundreds of small regimes across the country. It was humanly unfeasible for someone to take them down at the same time.
The aura of amity benefited medieval life economically as well. Merchants could navigate to sell their commodities in security. Foreign commerce became more popular, and more diverse articles were now readily accessible.e
3) How can we account for western Europe's sustained economic success?
Western Europe thrived economically, chiefly as a result of private enterprise and business. Consumers were more and more beginning to shift towards this method of eThe state was not the main source of control, but rather separate businesses ruled the economy. A second factor in the beneficial development was political decentralization. This is merely the splitting  up of political power into tiny components. Instead of three bigger countries, there were smaller places where politics was contained. This allowed for more rivalry, which is generally good for the economy. It reigned in the authority of the government and granted amplified liberation for inhabitants. When there was dissatisfaction, members of a unit had the freedom to leave it. This was a motivation for the diplomatic commanders to keep from being harsh. It was their unfortunate loss in tax dollars, when a citizen choose to depart. 

English, Lesson 130 Essay

Would You rather watch a movie alone in a theater or online if they cost the same? Why?"


Personally, I would rather see a film in the theater than download it outline. I find that the experience of going out to the movies is usually more fun, than just watching from home. There's few things I find more appealing than a weekend night at the cinema. I love seeing the newest releases and popular Oscar-nominated productions. I'm also a stickler for any frugal deals I can locate, or money I can save. There is always coupons to prevent wasting cash, or discounts for weekdays or certain age groups. For example, my local theater sells movie tickets for only $5 a piece on Mondays! There is also dollar movie days in the summer, where kids can see cartoons/Disney features. In spite of all these positives, I still appreciate the other outlets available. It is certainly a convenient advantage of technology,that we can enjoy entertainment from the comfort of our homes. We don't even have to leave the couch!  In the past, if you wanted to view a motion picture, you had to attend the theater. American consumers didn't have the privilege of cable tv, Netflix, or youtube, to employ whenever they wished. The modern-day world doesn't realize how lucky they are, to have these resources at their disposal. We have the opportunity and option to locate any tv show/film/documentary our heart desires, from any location. Our phones, tablets, and computers offer a variety of different ways to access these pleasures.

American society today is extremely privileged to avail themselves of the endless, diverse sources of amusement. After all, who doesn't relish a relaxing evening in front of the tv? After a long day of work/school, many families and teens spend their leisure time in this manner. Television is an effective method of recreation, that nowadays requires little money or effort. With only a few dollars, you can rent romances, dramas, sci-fi, or horror motion pictures. Filling out some simple credit-card info is now all that is required, to grant entry to a world of fantasy. Individuals can drown their sorrows in a fairytale land or a interesting story from They can forget for a short period of time about their issues, losing themselves in a quality narrative. Probably a million divergent movies have been created in the past century, and each one has it's own unique plot-line. It would be hard not to discover something to pique your interest, within such a wide assortment of choices.

Each separate director,actor and producer has added their own twist to what they create, or perform in. That is what makes the area of film and tv so enthralling and fascinating. As the years fly by, we have been fortunate enough to witness gradual improvements and adaptions. Our eyes and ears have been opened to observe increasingly better developments. Inventions such as 3d have allowed us to encounter and delve into movies like we never imagined before. Movie-goers and enthusiasts of long ago would be very shocked and excited by in the innovations.

Week 26 Review(Western Civilization)

(3) Describe the main principles of just-war theory.

The just war theory was the art of trying to condone or explain war. It was an attempt made by many scholars to come up with reasons one could engage in fighting. The basic ideas were that war could only be validated if a number of different aspects were applied. There needed to be a legitimate authority and a just cause for starting the war. The participants should also have a rightful and noble intention, in beginning the conflict. In addition, it was only reasonable that they there be at least some probability of success. It would obviously be rash to rush into battle, if you hadn't the slightest inkling of hope to win it. Another factor was determining the proportionality (or scale) of the war. It was necessary that there be an even, fair amount of men and weaponry on each side. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a fair exchange, if one party was badly outnumbered by the other. There were also some other rules that had to be abided by, before one could actively enlist in the act of bloodshed.For one thing, noncombatants weren't allowed to be targeted. Noncombatants are those who are part of the civilian population and not willingly involved. Places like schools and homes were off limits, when it came to areas that could be attacked. Constraints were placed regarding the clergy and women and children as well. It was considered evil to murder or abuse them, or to bother undefended clergy. 
There were set aside certain days on which it was thought immoral to conduct warfare. It was also prohibited on definite weekdays, feasts, and ritualistic seasons(ex:Lent,Advent). In any case, war was always to be thought of as only the absolute last utilization. 

(2)Choose two of the divine attributes discussed in lesson 127 and explain how Aquinas derives them.
 One of the five attributes of God is that of immateriality. Thomas Aquinas is masterful in proving how the creator can not be material, by logical arguments. He wrote that a material object must needs be inconstant. The almighty is anything but changeable, as he is a purely"actual being". Anything that exists within the boundaries of space and time is thereby capable of revision. But any being that is unalterable would have to subsist outside the realm of these physical bounds. It's obvious from these rationalizations that no mortal could fit this criteria. Only a holy, immortal individual who dwelled in a heavenly home could possess this ability. 
The second quality of God was "perfect and all good". Thomas stated that he holds within his grasp every ideal(or perfection) one should have. Accordingly then, he is absolute and not capable of wrong-doing. It is also impossible for him to have any detrimental visages(or features). An imperfection, by Aquinas's definition, is merely a lack of something. For instance, blindness is simply the absence of light.God is inept of lacking any beneficial  Only flawed, fallen humans can have areas in which they require improvement.