Assignment: Islamic Civilization
Essay: Historiographical Review Essay
Description
For your final paper in HIST 113, you will be writing a review of historical writing on a topic of your choice related to Islamic Civilization. This is not a topical paper: your focus should be on analyzing and comparing what three or more historians have said about this topic, rather than not just the topic itself. Identify and read at least one book and two published, academic articles on your selected topic and ‘,‘ rite a six to eight page essay comparing those texts.
Directions
1. Identify a topic related to Islamic Civilization that you would like to explore in greater detail. This is your chance to build on your general knowledge of Islamic Civilization and complete an applied project on an issue of personal, professional, or academic interest.
2. Do a thorough literature search on topic in the Cunningham Library electronic databases, including WorldCat, JSTOR, and Academic Search Complete, and present a one paragraph prospectus, or research proposal, and list of 3-5 sources on Blackboard for review by 3/23.
3. As you read your sources, look for how each author covers the topic in a different way. Use the handout "Analyzing Historical Arguments" as a guide to identify some themes you can use to compare the approaches of the authors you have chosen.
4. In the introduction to your paper, you must present a clear argument in the form of a thesis statement. Your thesis statement is a brief summary of the conclusions you have drawn from your source materials (in this case, historical writing). Do this in one clear, concise sentence.
Example: While the prophet Muhammad remains at the center of scholarship on the rise of the Islam, more recent studies stress that the religious traditions of the Near East were also an important factor in shaping Islam as world religion over time.
5. Structure your paper around your thesis, and stay on point! Putting together a thorough outline before you begin writing is a good way to keep everything focused.
6. As you write, provide evidence to back up what you are saying through frequent citation of the texts. Express your ideas clearly and directly. Avoid vague and subjective language.
Formatting and Guidelines
• I he main text of your paper should he 6-8 pages double-spaced. p/m a bibliography.
• Use the Chicago Manual of Style to format footnotes and hihliography.
• Ilse 12 point tont. double spaced with reasonably standard niargins (approximately 1').
• Give your essay a deseriptiNe title. Ex.: "I listorical Writing on the Rise of Islam-
• Refer frequently to your sources and cite them appropriately throughout.
• Be sure your essay contains an introduction with a thesis statement, well defined paragraphs covering subtopics in support of your thesis, and a conclusion that summarizes your essay.
Examples* of Appropriate Topics
| Life of the Prophet Muhammad |
The Mongol Empire |
| Sunni/Shri Sectarianism |
The Crusades in Islamic History |
| The Islamic Conquest of the Near East |
The Conversion of Iran to Shi'istn |
| Conversion in Early Islam |
Managing Diversity in Mughal India |
| Religion and State |
Empires and Local Notables |
| Science and the House of Wisdom |
Travelers and Travel Writing |
| Veiling in Islamic Societies |
The Tanzimat Reforms in the 19th Century |
| Women and Gender in Islam |
Modernization in Turkey |
| Christians and Jews in the Ottoman Empire |
The Suez Canal Project in Egypt |
| The Mamluk Slave Soldier Dynasty |
The Formation of the Nation-State System |
| The Silk Road |
Arab Nationalism |
| Migration |
Soviet Rule in Central Asia |
| The Hajj Pilgrimage |
Terrorism and Political Islam |
| Orientalism and Western Views of Islam |
Islam and Democracy |
| The Islamic City |
The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran |
| The Carpet Trade in Iran |
The Arab Revolt during World War 1 |
| History of Books and Printing |
Palestinian Identity |
| Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa |
The Formation of the Israeli State |
| Islam in America |
Food and Culture in the Modem Middle East |
| Sufism |
Globalization and Capitalism |
| Islamic Law |
Oil Industries |
| Middle East Environmental History |
The Arab Spring (2011-) |
*This is only a list of suggestions to give students a few potential ideas or starting points, Any topic related to Islamic Civilization is appropriate for this assignment.