Read carefully the relevant sections in your assigned textbooks Amin Maalouf The Crusades through Arab Eyes and W. Montgomery Watt and Pierre Cachia. A History of Islamic Spain. You should rely on these two books only for your paper. No outside sources!
Question: It can be argued that the western Mediterranean Muslim lands (i.e. al-Andalus) and those of the eastern Mediterranaen (i.e. Bilad al-Sham or Greater Syria) faced the same set of European political and military challenges during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Discuss this statement in an argumentative essay in which you take a position either for or against the statement, while supporting your claims with historical evidence from your assigned textbooks.
Helpful Hints:
1) Write an outline of your paper. Make sure that you have an introductory paragraph, a clear thesis statement, evidence supporting your thesis, and a conclusion that summarizes your thesis.
2) State your thesis up front (no later than the bottom of the first page). You don’t have space for a lengthy introduction and background. You need to get to the point quickly.
3) Be sure you have an arguable thesis. You should state whether you agree or disagree with the above statement and why.
4) Be sure to include a title, ideally one that reflects your thesis argument.
5) Be sure to proofread your work.
6) Don’t wait until the last minute great ideas form over time.
7) I am interested in YOUR ideas, not those of other people. .
Formatting and Citation:
You do not need to use footnotes for this paper. For citations you can simply write the author and page number after each quotation in parenthesis: (i.e. Maalouf, 95).
Your paper should be typed, double-spaced, with 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins all around. Be sure to include a Works Cited page that includes the full citation of the books used.
Grading Criteria:
Original, well-argued thesis; clear organization; strong analysis; no grammar/spelling mistakes
Thesis present, but not original or well-argued; some analysis; a few grammar/spelling mistakes
Unclear thesis and/or organization; little or no analysis; grammar/spelling mistakes
No thesis or organization; no analysis; grammar/spelling mistakes; poorly written; does not meet minimum page requirement
