HIS121 Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Q sheet assignments
Assignment: Q #2, Polk, Understanding Iraq, 1 - 101
Point value: two Q sheet points (of c. 32 for the term)
Due date: hard copy at start of class, Mon 12 Feb
Answer the questions briefly, but completely. Your work must be word processed.
Read the Preface.
In the Intro, author Polk asks three Q. What are they, and how does he answer each of them?
Ancient Iraq
-Which major societies were present in Iraq (in this chapter), and what impact did they have on peoples and land? Cite three examples.
You'll need to understand these terms after finishing this chapter:
Fertile Crescent; Sumerians; Naram-Sin; Parthians
Islamic Iraq
-Outside forces continue to impact people and land. What main points does the author make about the impacts of the Arab Invasions (after 633), and later Genghis Khan?
-In what specific ways did the Ottoman Empire affect the region?
You'll need to understand these terms after finishing this chapter:
Umayyad clan; Hashimiyyah; Seljuks; 1907
British Iraq
-Polk asks 'Why did the British decide to conquer Iraq'? (67) How does he answer this Q?
-What was the relationship between Iraqis and the British from 1918 ? 1941?
-Why did Britain care about the region? How did the British maintain control in Iraq after World War I?
-According to author Polk, what was the legacy of 'British Iraq'?
You'll need to understand these terms after finishing this chapter:
Arnold Wilson; 1920 insurrection; Kurdistan; Rashid Ali
Assignment: Q #1, Lewis, Crisis of Islam
Point value: four Q sheet points
Due date: hard copy at start of class, Mon 5 Feb
Answer the questions briefly, but completely. Your work must be word processed.
Read the Introduction carefully!
1. The concept of 'nation'--how does this differ for Muslims and the West?
2. What is significant in the declaration of 23 Feb 98?
Ch 1
1. Islam, Christianity: identify three points of comparison and three points of contrast.
2. With Islam: Empire of Faith as a foundation, what new does Lewis present on the life of the Prophet?
3. the Islamic Revolution in Iran, 1979: Lewis sees several components. What are they?
Ch 2
1. Jihad: define. Why is this concept significant? How does Jihad differ from crusade?
2. House of War: define this concept.
Ch 3
1. Explain the significance of 1099, 1683, 1798, 1948.
Ch 4
1. For Lewis, why and how did America become 'the archenemy, the incarnation of evil, the diabolical opponent of all that is good' (69)
2. Who is Sayyid Qutb (1906-66), and what is the significance of his message?
Ch 5
1. What do we learn here on the Iranian Embassy crisis (1979)? Why was the US seen as so negative in the region?
2. what role did the Soviet Union play in the region after 1945?
Ch 6 and 7
1. Lewis speaks of a 'failure of modernization'?what does he mean?
Ch 8
1. What are the main ideas and beliefs of Wahhabism? What is its significance in the 20th century?
2. Lewis tried to define 'fundamentalist Islam' (130-36) As he sees it, what is it all about, what is it for/against? What is its appeal?
Ch 9
1. Lewis identifies 'several forms of Islamic extremism current at the present time' (138) What are these?
2. what is Lewis's argument on suicide terrorists, and their relation to Islamic teachings?
3. For him, what is the significance of Al-Qa'ida?
Aftermath (Dec 2003)
1. How does Lewis see the situation in Iraq, in Dec 2003? Have events proven him right, or wrong, in the period since then?
END OF ASSIGNMENT Q#1
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