Short Answer Questions on Maalouf
(class 24)

1) This assignment, like ALL assignments in this class, must be typed. See handout on class expectations

2) You MUST use blackboards digital dropbox (details here) to submit this homework

3)
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE FILE-NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR THIS COURSE.

All files should be named as: your last name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by a your first initial, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the assignment number. So if a student named Saddam Hussein were to submit assignment number 24, the file name would be:

hussein_s_24.doc

 

THIS IS ASSIGNMENT 24



Questions on pp. 47 - 83. These questions will require a paragraph of response (say, between three and ten complete sentences of solid prose). As always, be sure to phrase your answer in you own words. If you can not do so, you may not yet understand Maalouf's arguments. Reread the passage in question until you understand them sufficiently well to discuss this issues in your own words. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN TO WORK THAT IS NOT IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE.

 

1) Maalouf refers to "oversimplifications" on both sides of the debate regarding Islam; what are those two sides and why does Maloof think the responses given by the respective sides are inadequate?

2) What does Maalouf argue on pp. 49 - 50 regarding "religious truth" and changing interpretations?

3) Why does Maalouf on p. 51 say that he does not hold religion solely responsible for the violence of the 20th century?

4) As Maalouf argues, "It is poor consolation to know that Islam was tolerant in the eighth century if today priests have their throats cut, intellectuals are stabbed, and tourists machined gunned." (p.54) So why, according to Maloof, is it of ANY value to review the history of tolerance in Islam?

5) What does Maalouf see as the relationship between Church doctrine and European history?

6) What does Maalouf see as the relationship between a society's sense of security and the openness of its faith?

7) What does Maalouf see as the relationship between Islam and Modernization?

8) What are the consequences, according to Maalouf , for "Chinese, Africans, Japanese, Indians and American Indians, Arabs, Jews, and Turks" of accepting modernity?