Christians' and Muslims' Traditions Concerning Warfare

Other (Not Listed) Instructions:

I want us to focus on the relationship between war and religion in two different, but intertwined, Medieval culture areas – Christian Western Europe and Islamic Middle East. For the analysis, you will examine some of the contemporary accounts of the Crusades from both sides of the conflict. Your second posts for each week of our discussions have, in essence, been training for how to tackle our primary source analysis assignments.
1. Read and examine documents from two religious traditions concerning warfare.
2. Discuss how medieval Christian and Muslim authors used religion to explain and justify warfare.
3. Draw larger conclusions about the relationships between faith, organized religion, the government, and warfare.
Skills:
1. Close reading and interpretation of written primary sources.
2. Focused, clear, and concise writing. Students will develop thesis statements, comparison analyses, well-supported arguments in response to the prompts, and conclusions.
Knowledge:
1. Medieval Christian and Islamic civilizations as neighbors and enemies.
2. The Crusades, with a focus on the First Crusade.
Tasks:
2. Using at least four of the documents found in this chapter (two representing the Christian perspective and two representing the Islamic perspective), answer the following questions:
A) What important similarities and differences do you see among the three documents? Give at least two comparisons (similarities and/or differences) support your analysis with evidence from the documents. Note: Religion or faith cannot be used as a similarity or difference.
B) Speculate on how these perceptions, stereotypes (whether accurate or inaccurate), and opinions on war and religion might have influenced the ways in which your author chose to write about the people from the other side. [Modified from DGP 181.] Support your analysis with evidence from the documents.
3. Make sure that your analysis is 2-3 pages in length (double spaced, size 12 font). It should include a clear introduction (with a thesis statement), body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Be sure that your essay is carefully proofread as you will also be graded on style and form. When quoting from a specific document, a simple in-text parenthetical citation with the page number, will suffice.
Note: You can use more than four sources if you would like, but you must use at least four.

Other (Not Listed) Sample Content Preview:

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
History Assignment
Introduction
Christianity and Islam were part of medieval culture, specifically during the Middle Ages. The two medieval Christian and Muslim perspectives hold various opinions, perceptions, and even stereotypes on religion and war that, in turn, define these two perspectives. In the subsequent section, Part A will analyze the similarities and differences within the chosen documents in Christian and Muslim contexts. Moreover, Part B will contemplate how the perceptions about war and religion may have affected how the document authors selected to write concerning the individuals from the other side.
Part A
From the Muslim's perspective, Usamah ibn-Munqidh looked at the Franks' character, describing them as "animals possessing the virtues of courage and fighting, but nothing else." Through this Muslim-based writing, Usamah ibn-Munqidh embarks on giving some occasions of their goings and peculiar mentality. The context allows us to observe how Muslims regarded foreigners, including their daily activities. Through doing so, every reader can notice a transparent and increasingly unprejudiced comprehension of the connections involving the two cultures. Still, Ibn al-Athir also clarifies Christian-Muslim warfare and stereotyping from the Muslim viewpoint. For instance, whenever the Franks understood how violent Muslims were aggressive, how constant and efficient the ballista's fire was, and how actively the sappers breached the walls, finding no resistance, they became desperate as their leaders gathered to bear counsel. They chose to inquire about safe conduct and give up Jerusalem to Saladin. Above all, all these medieval Muslim perspectives, through the descriptions and perceptions about Christians, and their counterparts, justified warfare and created foundations for enmity between the two.
Christian's view...

Updated on January 26, 2024

Get the Whole Paper!

Not exactly what you need?

Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

Order

Christians' and Muslims' Traditions Concerning Warfare

You Might Also Like Other Topics Related to war essays: