Where did the Renaissance begin?
In your writing, you will briefly compare and contrast the two sources in todays lesson: Italy: The Birthplace of the Renaissance and Non-Western Origins of the Renaissance.
First, compare the two secondary sources. Use the sentence starters and frames from the Language of Comparison chart (in the next page) to point out the differences between the arguments presented in each text. 
For example: While Beck et al. argue in Italy: The Birthplace of the Renaissance that in striving to revive the past, the people of the Renaissance created something new, Hobson argues in Non-Western Origins of the Renaissance that the Renaissance was not a new phenomenon because it is possible that the Renaissance owes a debt not just to Muslims, Indians, and the Chinese, but also to Black Africans.
Then, synthesize your analysis of the two secondary sources to make your own argument.
For example: The Renaissance in Western Europe was not inevitable because it required the infusion of earlier ideas and innovations from across Afro-Eurasia.
Your paragraph should include evidence from both of the secondary sources in this lesson.
Write a 1-2 paragraph response to the following prompt in the space below: Where did the Renaissance begin? Use information from both Italy: The Birthplace of the Renaissance and Non-Western Origins of the Renaissance.