N E 2000: Introduction to Islamic Civilization
Text Analyses Assignment Sheet
In this course, you are expected to write 3-4-page Text Analyses on primary source readings. (For details, see the course Syllabus.) For all of the texts you analyze, it is important to consider the following questions. Your written Text Analyses will be assessed according to how clearly and thoroughly you respond to these questions.
• Who is the author? When was he alive? Where did he live? What sort of figure was he, e.g. was he a politician, theologian, jurist, mystic?
• What is the topic? What issue, problem, or question is the author addressing?
• What is the author’s thesis, i.e. his argument about the topic? What point(s) does he make? If more than one, how do they relate to each other?
• On what evidence does he base his argument? Does he cite the Qur’an or Hadith to prove his point? Does he appeal to reason and logic? Does he refer to historical events or personalities to illustrate his point?
• Does the author acknowledge (explicitly or implicitly) the contrary claims of opponents who would disagree with him? If so, how does he refute them?
• Do you think the author argues his thesis effectively? Why or why not?
