For the past few weeks we have explored the social order, the politics, and the culture of the Islamic World from the 10th to the end of the 14th century.  We have placed particular emphasis on the 14th century through our readings in Ross E. Dunn's The Adventures of Ibn Battuta.  As many of you have likely noticed, while Ross Dunn is the chief narrative voice in his book, he often quotes Ibn Battuta as well as other travelers (often Christians in the early portions of the book).  This is a typical technique that historians use, but it is one that I would like each of you to have some understanding of.  Your assignment then is to pick three, substantial (at least one-third of a page) quotes from Ibn Battuta from a single chapter and then perform the following steps:

Section 1: Write a brief introductory paragraph in which you provide a brief description of the context from which your quotes come (e.g. the Ilkhanate of Persia or the Mamluk empire); the basic topic(s) with which your quotes are connected; and a brief overview of your findings  from section 4 below.


Section 2(1-2 paragraphs): Discuss why you think Dunn selected the quotes that he did and explain what he is able to show with them.


Section 3 (1 paragraph will suffice): Suggest alternative interpretations for the quotes that you pick, or if this is not possible explain why.


Section 4: Conclude with a paragraph in which you indicate whether you feel that Dunn's interpretations of the selected passages was fair and accurate.  Be sure to explain your judgment for each of the three quotes.

General Standards: First, you must type your paper using standard margins (1 inch all around), Times New Roman font and a 12-point type size. Next, you must properly document your use of other people's work in this essay. In plan terms, whenever you comment on or quote from the web-source linked below, I expect a proper footnote indicating what material in that book you are referencing (a 25% reduction on your paper will occur if you fail to document your work properly). For examples of how to footnote, click on the General Guidelines hypertext in the Formal Writings section of the web syllabus. You will also find hints on how to write well and on general guidelines as to what I look for in written work.  Finally, your essay must be two full pages in length, double-spaced.  

Additional Hints:

The first footnote entry should follow the format outlined for Formal Writing #2 (though note that there is no translator).  Also, DO NOT write the word page when giving page numbers, give only the actual number.

All subsequent footnotes, which should come only from The Adventures of Ibn Battuta, should look like this:

Ibid., "page #" (if the page number cited is different from page number cited in the immediately preceeding footnote entry).

or

Ibid. (if you are citing the same page number that was cited in the immediately preceeding footnote entry).

Again, use only The Adventures of Ibn Battuta for this paper.