Term Paper: Review of Historical Writing

Due Dates
ï‚· One Paragraph Prospectus and list of sources due 11:59pm EDT Monday October 19
ï‚· Final Draft due online via Blackboard 11:59pm EST Friday November 20
Learning Objectives
ï‚· Compare the perspectives of historians in their treatment of a common topic, including the
assumptions, theoretical approaches, and research methods shaping their works.
ï‚· Compose a historiographical review essay based on secondary source research.
ï‚· Apply standards for academic writing in the field of History to written work.
Assignment 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. Identify and read at least three academic books or journal articles
(no online sources) on your selected topic and write a six to eight page comparative analysis of those
texts. This is not a topical paper. Your focus should be on analyzing the field of historical writing
about this topic, and not just the topic itself.
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 10/19.
3. Using the Handout “Analyzing Historical Arguments” as a guide, identify a theme you can use to
compare the historical works you selected on your topic.
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 Islamic faith, more recent studies emphasize the religious traditions of the Near East as
an important factor in shaping Islam as world religion.
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 on demonstrating that your
thesis is sound.
6. Provide evidence to back up what you are saying through frequent citation of the texts.
7. Express your ideas clearly and directly. Avoid vague and subjective language.
Formatting and Guidelines
ï‚· The main text of your paper should be 6-8 pages double-spaced, plus a bibliography.
ï‚· Use the Chicago Manual of Style to format footnotes and bibliography.
 Use 12 point font, double spaced with reasonably standard margins (approximately 1”).
 Give your essay a descriptive title. Ex.: “Historical Writing on the Rise of Islam”
ï‚· Refer frequently to your sources and cite them appropriately throughout.
ï‚· 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
Biographies of the Prophet Muhammad
Sunni/Shi’i Sectarianism
The Islamic Conquest of the Near East
Conversion in Early Islam
Religion and State
Science and the House of Wisdom
Veiling in Islamic Societies
Women and Gender in Islam
Christians and Jews in the Ottoman Empire
The Mamluk Slave Soldier Dynasty
The Silk Road
Migration
The Hajj Pilgrimage
Orientalism and Western Views of Islam
The Islamic City
The Carpet Trade in Iran
History of Books and Printing
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa
Islam in America
Sufism
Islamic Law
Middle East Environmental History
The Mongol Empire
The Crusades in Islamic History
The Conversion of Iran to Shi’ism
Managing Diversity in Mughal India
Empires and Local Notables
Travelers and Travel Writing
The Tanzimat Reforms in the 19th Century
Modernization in Turkey
The Suez Canal Project in Egypt
The Formation of the Nation-State System
Arab Nationalism
Soviet Rule in Central Asia
Terrorism and Political Islam
Islam and Democracy
The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran
The Arab Revolt during World War I
Palestinian Identity
The Formation of the Israeli State
Food and Culture in the Modern Middle East
Globalization and Capitalism
Oil Industries
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.