Section outline

  • ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES IN THIS TOPIC

    New Islamic political entities:
    § Seljuk Empire
    § Mamluk sultanate of Egypt
    § Delhi sultanates Innovations:
    § Advances in mathematics (Nasir al-Din al-Tusi)
    § Advances in literature ('A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah)
    § Advances in medicine

    Transfers:
    § Preservation and commentaries on Greek moral and natural philosophy
    § House of Wisdom in Abbasid Bagdad
    § Scholarly and cultural transfers in Muslim and Christian Spain

    Part 1

    THEMATIC FOCUS

    Cultural Developments and Interactions CDI

    The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications.

    LEARNING OBJECTIVE 

    Unit 1: Learning Objective D

    Explain how systems of belief and their practices affected society in the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450.

    HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

    KC-3.1.III.D.iii

    Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the core beliefs and practices of these religions continued to shape societies in Africa and Asia.

    Part 2

    THEMATIC FOCUS

    Governance GOV

    A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.

    LEARNING OBJECTIVE 

    Unit 1: Learning Objective E

    Explain the causes and effects of the rise of Islamic states over time.

    HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

    KC-3.2.I

    As the Abbasid Caliphate fragmented, new Islamic political entities emerged, most of which were dominated by Turkic peoples. These states demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity.

    KC-3.1.III.A

    Muslim rule continued to expand to many parts of Afro-Eurasia due to military expansion, and Islam subsequently expanded through the activities of merchants, missionaries, and Sufis.

    Part 3

    THEMATIC FOCUS

    Technology and Innovation TEC

    Human adaptation and innovation have resulted in increased efficiency, comfort, and security, and technological advances have shaped human development and interactions with both intended and unintended consequences.

    LEARNING OBJECTIVE 

    Unit 1: Learning Objective F

    Explain the effects of intellectual innovation in Dar al-Islam.

    HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

    KC-3.2.II.A.i

    Muslim states and empires encouraged significant intellectual innovations and transfers.

    • Watch this video to gain an introduction to Dar al-Islam.

    • Use this guided notes template to take notes during the lecture.

    • Follow this link to read more about the House of Wisdom in Baghdad.

    • Follow this link to learn more about Ibn Sina's (Avicenna) *The Canon of Medicine*, a major textbook used for centuries.

    • Follow this link to learn more about how Muslims, Christians and Jews interacted in Spain.

    • Use this resource during the primary resource - Astronomy in the Islamic World activity.

    • Opened: Saturday, 20 September 2025, 3:14 AM
      Due: Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 10:31 PM

      Answer the questions here: 

      1. According to the author, how are the heavens structured?

      2. What role does mathematics play in understanding the universe?

      3. How does this passage show the influence of belief systems on scientific thought?

      4. What does this text suggest about the relationship between religion and science in the Islamic world?

    • Use this resource for the primary source - Devotional Poetry in the Islamic World activity.

    • Opened: Saturday, 20 September 2025, 3:14 AM
      Due: Monday, 29 September 2025, 10:33 PM

      Answer the questions here: 

      1. What emotions and imagery does the poet use to describe her devotion?

      2. How does the poem reflect the role of belief and religious practice in daily life?

      3. What does this poem reveal about the influence of Sufism within Islamic culture?

      4. How might this text demonstrate the role of women in Islamic intellectual and cultural life?

    • Download and use the attached resource to help you prepare causation statements.

    • Complete the attached document and upload the completed version.

    • Opened: Sunday, 28 September 2025, 11:03 PM
      Due: Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 11:03 PM

      Complete the attached and reupload.

    • Watch this video for a brief explanation of the rise and fall of the Abbasid Caliphate.

    • Download and use this PPT as needed.

    • Opened: Monday, 29 September 2025, 3:16 AM
      Due: Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 3:16 AM

      Complete the attached and reupload it.

    • Watch this video to see an explanation of the spread of Islam.

    • Download and use the attached PPT to help you study.

    • Opened: Sunday, 12 October 2025, 9:00 AM
      Due: Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 3:00 PM

      This worksheet goes through 3 excerpts to help develop cause/effect. Download and complete. Upload the completed worksheet.

    • Download and use this worksheet to help you study.

    • Opened: Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 8:00 AM

      There are 15 practice questions in this activity. Choose the correct answer.

    • Opened: Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 8:30 AM
      Due: Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 8:30 AM

      Download the attached and use it to complete this assignment. You can type your response directly into the assignment.