Explain the historical relationship between Christianity and Islam

History

Week 7: Cold War Nostalgia

In the years after the Cold War and the collapse of the bipolar order, the world has undergone significant changes. Chief among those changes has been a perceived deterioration of world stability, not only in terms of economics but also in terms of security. What indicators could lead one to conclude that in the years following the collapse of the Communist world, things have gotten more dangerous?

Week 7: Brave New World

So...the Cold War is over. Time to do a victory lap and celebrate the primacy of American power. But the celebration seemed short-lived, as there were plenty of other concerns. Nothing is as it should be. Our adversaries are now our allies, and our allies are now competitors. The end of the Cold War knocked down the Iron Curtain, but it also destroyed conventional economic patterns. Is the end of the Cold War proving to be good for world peace, but not so good for world business?

Week 7: Case Study: Mikhail Gorbachev's 1988 UN Speech

If the pace of improving US-Soviet relations seemed rapid, Mikhail Gorbachev's speech to the United Nations General Assembly would shift the process into overdrive. In this remarkable oration, which you can find by clicking on the link below, Gorbachev emphatically declared that all nations must have the freedom to choose their own destiny, that ideology had no place in foreign affairs, and that great powers should renounce the use of force in international relations. Review his speech.

http://astro.temple.edu/~rimmerma/gorbachev_speech_to_UN.htm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

In 2-3 pages, address the following:

1. Why did Gorbachev choose the United Nations as his forum for this speech?

2. What did Gorbachev mean by "de-ideologizing relations among states? What implications did this have for superpower relations?

3. Why did he say that "force no longer can...be an instrument of foreign policy"? What implications did this have for the Soviet bloc?

4. What did he foresee as the future role of the superpowers in the world and the future relationship between them?

Religions

Week 7: The Five Pillars of Islam

In that it recognizes one God who rules the entire world, Islam may be called a universal religion. However, although Islam grew out of a particular seventh-century Arabian context, Muslims claims that its central document, the Qur'an, must be read in Arabic in order to be fully appreciated. How can Islam or any similar religion resolve the tension between the universal and the particular? How can it (or any other faith) be a religion for people of all races and nationalities without giving up its distinctive cultural heritage?

Week 7: Islam and the Arts

Islam has been very influential in the worlds of architecture and fine art. Provide an example of one expression of Islamic art and explain the context of the work. How does the work provide examples of Islamic philosophy and rule? What are some ways that the Pillars of Islam are represented in these works? Please also provide a visual of the art form you select.

Week 7: Analytical Essay

In a short essay, complete the following:

1. Explain the historical relationship between Christianity and Islam. What are their geographical connections? What are their historical timelines? How does is this history represented in their sacred texts?
2. Analyze the historical relationship between Christianity and Islam in order to make an argument about the similarities and differences between the two religions. Select one main example to focus your comparison on (some ideas include views of life and death, concepts of god, apocalyptic narratives, pilgrimage narrative, etc.). Your analysis should span multiple paragraphs and utilize specific examples.
3. Conclude by examining the current relationship between Christianity and Islam today. Interrogate the role of globalization.

This essay should be 3 pages in length (approximately 1500 words, not including a cover page and reference page) and must be in APA format. Your paper should include an introduction and thesis that clearly states your central claim, thoughtful examples and analysis in your body paragraphs, and a conclusion to finalize your thoughts.