Lebanese International University CULT200, 3.

00 cr, Introduction to Arab-Islamic Civilization Spring 2012-2012 Nabatiyeh Campus Class Schedule: T Th 8:-9:15, and 9:30-11:15 Office Hours: A Facebook group will be created for continuous discussion, otherwise by appointment Instructor: Abir Chaaban Course Objective: The aim of this course is to introduce the student to Arab and Muslim role in the preservation and the transfer of knowledge from Latin and Greek and then the role of the Crusades and Arabs of Spain in the transfer of the knowledge to Europe. Learning Outcomes: Understand the process of the transfer of centers of powers and the factors leading to the preservation and the transfer of knowledge. Discuss the role of the Umayyad in Arabization of the registrars of the Sassanide and the Byzantine Empires consequently leading to translation of literature. Explain the political forces existing during the Golden Age of the Abbasids and the beginning of translating Greek philosophy and the development of the arts and sciences in Baghdad in what is known as the Arab Islamic civilization. Learn about the Arabs and Muslims in History. Discuss the Role of the Muslims in Spain and the Crusades in the transfer of knowledge leading to the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. Required Material Required Texts: Tarabay, Ali and Wakim, Jamal Arabs and Muslims in History Cleveland, William L. The Development of Islamic Civilization in A History of the Modern Middle East (Third Edition) Part I pp. 5-57 Hitti, Philip, The Arabs: A Short History, ( Princeton University Press: 1949). Internet Sources The University of Calgary the Islamic World Until 1600 http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/index.html History of Sciences and Technology in Islam http://www.history-science-technology.com/Articles/articles.htm

Film Islam and Empire of Faith (PBS), this film will be viewed in class according to the schedule below Evaluation Participation, class discussions and evaluation Paper Midterm Final 20% 20% 20% 40%

Participation: All students are expected to discuss the Film Islam an Empire of Faith after viewing in three sessions of discussion that will follow the three parts of the film. Instructor will provide topics of discussion during class. Paper: The student will choose a topic from a list of suggested topics instructor will provide. The student will write a critical well thought paper based on a thesis on the topic. Exams: Exams test the students knowledge of material studied in class Class Schedule Week 1 What is Civilization? Introduce ancient civilizations and understand the role of liberal thought in the preservation, transfer and evolution of knowledge in urban centers of powers. Key words, civilization, cities, city-state, tribal culture, nomads, knowledge, transfer of knowledge The Roman Empire center Rome (27BC-476) Byzantine Empire center Constantinople (324-1453) Holy Roman Empire center (today) Germany (9621806) Week 2, 3 the Roman Empire The Byzantine Empire Ancient Persia The Sassanide Empire The Arabian Peninsula Chapter 1 Arabs and Muslims in History ( Tarabay and Wakim) Week 4 and 5 Film: Islam an Empire of Faith Part One Readings: The Rise and Expansion of Islam (Cleveland 5-19) Chapter 2 Arabs and Muslims in History ( Tarabay and Wakim)

Week 6, 7, 8 Film: Islam an Empire of Faith Part Two Chapter 3 Arabs and Muslims in History ( Tarabay and Wakim) Reading of the Crusades TBD Week 7 Midterm exam Week 9, 10, 11 Chapters 4-9 Arabs and Muslims in History ( Tarabay and Wakim) The University of Calgary the Islamic World Until 1600 http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/index.html Week 12, 13 The Transfer of Knowledge from Spain top Europe Chapter 10 Arabs and Muslims in History ( Tarabay and Wakim) Week 14 Paper Class Discussion of Drafts Week 14, 15 Film, Islam an Empire of Faith Part III The Ottoman and the Safavid Empires: A New Imperial System (Cleveland 37-57) The decline of Islamic Civilization