GSC Resources

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Type	Title
Curriculum Materials	The Qur’an and Islamic Art (Curriculum)	As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • explain how the Qur’anic prohibition of idolatry affects Islamic art. • define basic terms - Qur’an, tawhid, shirk, idolatry, Arabic, calligraphy, calligram • use the calligram form to express an idea or image for themselves • analyze how the Qur’an and Muslim culture have had impact upon the forms, techniques, and purposes of artistic work; explain the historical, cultural, and social context of representative works of Muslim calligraphy, e.g. a sultan’s seal, a contemporary calligram, a verse of the Qur’an, the name of Allah.
Curriculum Materials	The French Invasion of Egypt and Its Legacy	Objective As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • Explain the motivation behind the French invasion of Egypt. • Evaluate the impact of the French invasion of Egypt See attached pdf file for full curriculum.
Curriculum Materials	Who Owns Antiquities?	Objectives As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • Describe the controversy about ownership and display of antiquities • Give examples of several disputed relics • Compare western and eastern interest and controversies regarding King Tut • Describe the history of Ramses I and his return to Egypt
Curriculum Materials	Religious Continuity and Change in Egypt	Objectives As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • describe the ancient religious beliefs of Egypt • compare and contrast ancient Egyptian and Islamic funeral rites • recognize that many elements have remained the same, while historic events have produced changes.
Curriculum Materials	Egyptians, Americans and Perceptions of Israel	Objectives • Students will be able to compare and contrast American and Egyptian attitudes toward the State of Israel. • Students will be able to analyze why Israel is a polarizing topic. • Students will compare and contrast news and articles from American and Arabic sources. • Students will synthesize events in the past 50 years that have brought us to this point.
Curriculum Materials	African American History Muslim Roots/US Blues	Curriculum developed by Kate Daher, CAPA High School, Pittsburgh Public Schools. Historians now believe that at least 30% of African slaves brought to the United States and the West Indies were Muslims. This lesson plan informs students how Muslim religious practices influenced life in the south during the early days and highlights the origin of the blues music genre as being greatly influenced by Islamic religious practices. Lesson plan include: PS US History Standards Word Splash warm up exercise Map of Triangular Trade KWL chart Study guide questions.
Curriculum Materials	Islam and the West: Dialog of Cultures	Objectives As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • Find in the media key issues of concern to Muslim communities • Identify key issues of the American community • Understand different perceptions of each others’ communities • Define the terms “perceptions” and “dialog” • Explain commonalities or issues where dialog may be able to occur
Curriculum Materials	The Muslim Brotherhood: Vanguard for Political Islam	Objective: As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • explain the nature of political Islam • analyze the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood as agents for socio-religiopolitical Islamic reform.
Curriculum Materials	Is Democracy Possible in the Middle East	Rational: In this lesson, students consider the possibilities of democracy in the Middle East. Students will compare the direction of American foreign policy between the former Bush administration and the current Obama administration. Students will then assess a variety of countries of the Middle East and determine if democracy is possible in this part of the world.
Curriculum Materials	Life After Mubarak	Rational: The project is designed to address a real life foreign policy dilemma looming in the Middle East: Egypt after Mubarak. This project will require students to work in teams to research focused topics addressing the range of issues which need to be considered in adjusting the US position on the impending changes in Egypt. The format of the policy scenario is designed to lend an authenticity to the assignment.
Curriculum Materials	Building a Better World : Exploring Architecture as a Window into the Past	Rational: Since the earliest human civilizations, people and nations have challenged their technical ability and resources to build imposing structures perceived to have a critical function in supporting the public good. This is most evident in the five thousand years of architectural history standing in Egypt today. In this activity, students will research an example of architecture from various points in Egyptian history and produce a descriptive, narrative or persuasive writing reflecting their understanding of their assigned edifice.
Curriculum Materials	Contemporary Egyptian Voices: Studying Literature to Learn about Modern Life and Culture in Egypt	Rational: In this activity, students think about how literature can represent a culture and society. They will read several short pieces of literature written by Egyptians in the last 50 years. As they read, they will identify cultural practices of contemporary Egyptian life and also create questions about the lifestyles of contemporary Egyptians. Students will then attempt to find answers to their questions and factual information that supports or negates the assumptions they made about modern life in Egypt.
Curriculum Materials	A Political Analysis of Literature	Rational:The curriculum is designed around the novel The Day the Leader was Killed by Naguib Mahfouz. Mahfouz’s novel was chosen for its literary merit, but also because it is rich for discussion of history and literature of place; it addresses how the recent political history of Egypt has influenced Egyptian society.
Curriculum Materials	Sufism: The “Heartbeat” and Soul of Islam?	Objectives: As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • outline the fundamental beliefs of Sufism • evaluate the role of Sufism within Egypt See attached pdf file for full curriculum.
Curriculum Materials	The Grand Mufti	Objective As a result of this lesson, students will be able to discover a deeper meaning of the teachings and practices of Islam in Egypt, including the institution that interprets Islamic law applying it to individuals and to public law.

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