Islamic Civilization

For this assignment, you are expected to write a paper in which you will analyze one of the primary sources included in the syllabus. For your papers, you can focus on one or more of the primary sources. However, I recommend that you focus on one primary source only. Your task is to write a paper in which you will use the primary sources. You are expected to use outside sources for this paper. Please make sure you include the proper citation of the source in the footnotes. Please read your primary source(s) carefully before you start writing your paper. Produce a thoughtful historical question (or questions) and work with your primary sources to discuss this question. Examples for such questions include (but are not limited to): Why was this source written? What is the position the author is trying to defend? How does this affect the source itself? Why does the source talk about certain issues or omit others? What pieces of factual evidence can we learn from this text? Is this a reliable source for factual evidence? What does it tell us about the historical context in which it was produced? The purpose of this exercise is to make you read the primary sources and think about them historically. Therefore, you are expected to analyze your source(s) by asking questions and presenting evidence from the material, instead of simply repeating it. Do not include general statements or anything that you cannot support by evidence presented in the sources. Do not repeat the content of the source by quoting or paraphrasing unless you absolutely need to, and do not forget to give proper reference (only page number for primary sources, full citation for anything else). PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING GROUND RULES: 1. Your paper should be between 5-6 pages in length. This means: not shorter than 5 full pages and not longer than full 6 pages. Your name and the title of your paper should be on the footer of every page, accompanied by page number. 2. Your paper must be double-spaced, 12-font, with adequate margins on all sides. 3. Do NOT use lengthy quotes from books or articles, unless it is absolutely necessary. The point of the exercise is to make YOU write. 4. If you wish to use an idea from a secondary source, such as from one of the texts of this course, you must paraphrase the idea in your own words and give proper attribution by footnoting. 5. Penalties will be assessed for violation of the ground rules. YOUR ESSAY WILL BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 1. Organization and analysis: The way you analyze your source(s) and the cogency with which you organize and present your analysis. (8 points) 2. Evidence: The degree to which your analysis is supported by historical evidence in the source(s). (8 points) 3. Style: Clarity of your prose, proper grammar and syntax, citations, punctuation, spelling and other writing mechanics. (4 points)