Classroom Connections

For each learning module, high school educators have created two lesson plans with guiding questions for student research and classroom discussion.

Empires to Nation-States

Islamic Period  »  Module Overview

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Lesson Plans & Guiding Questions

LESSON 1
Colonial Legacy and Conflicts in the Middle East

The lesson addresses influences and impact of colonial powers. Students will begin to gain clarity into the real and perceived conflicts in the Muslim world, specifically the Middle East. Assigned reading material along with the teachers’ guidance students will learn and understand the economic and political motives of the European powers and the effects on the social, cultural and religious structure of Imperial Muslim World.

For Grade Level(s):  9–12

Time Needed:  Six to eight class sessions

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GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. What are the similarities and differences between colonial powers helping and assisting the countries they once controlled in self administration and self rule and the United States’ presence in Iraq and/or Afghanistan trying to establish a civil government and implement “democracy?”

2. Why didn’t colonial powers make a clean break and give the newly formed nation-states complete autonomy?

3. Is it possible to synthesize a liberal democratic governing system with a traditional Islamic governing system?

LESSON 2
A New Political Identity

General Description of Lesson Plan: This lesson will explore the concept of identity and the types of identities and their impact on individuals.

For Grade Level(s):  11–12

Time Needed:  Five to seven class sessions

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GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Are present day nation-states in the Middle East inclusive and representative?

2. Do you think that individuals living under the governance of present day nation-states have strong feelings of nationalism?

3. If allowed to do so, how might present day political and geographical boundaries change and would it reduce or eliminate unrest and conflict?


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