Topics for Paper 3: Koran, Arabian Nights and Koran

Some suggestions of how to write formal papers:

  • Do not start your paper with generalities such as "throughout human history ....", "all of mankind...", or anything of that nature. Instead, tell the reader immediately what your paper is about.
  • Do not retell events of the story. Retelling is a sure means of getting a C or less.
  • Instead, in making your argument, use close textual evidence in the form of quotes or by alluding to specific events etc. Make sure that you provide an analysis of these bits of evidence, that means, make it clear to the reader what you want this textual evidence "to do."
  • Remember that your quotes need to be referenced (page number, line number) and it needs to be clear who the speaker is.
  • Dare to explore and "think out of the box". Creativity will be rewarded, but be sure to always provide textual evidence to support your arguments
  • Avoid using cliches and colloquial language.

Do NOT ignore this Checklist!!!

  1. State clearly which question you are answering by restating the question verbatim at the beginning of your paper. (Not doing so will result in a 5% penalty for your paper grade!)
  2. Some of the topics are complex. Make sure you clearly understand the question before you write your essay.
  3. Do you have a thesis statement that provides an answer to the question you chose? Remember that just rephrasing the question is not a thesis statement. If it helps, use such phrases as "In this paper I will show ..."
  4. Does the body of your paper develop your thesis statement? Make sure you stay on track.
  5. Do your paragraphs start with a good topic sentence?
  6. Put your name on the first page of your essay, including section number and date. Do not waste paper by having a separate front page.
  7. Double-space your paper, so that there is room for comments.
  8. Include page numbers on each page.
  9. Remember that the essay should be about 3 pages long, about 900 words.
  10. Font size should be between 10-12
  11. Always proof read your paper before you turn it in ( let it "sit" for a night before you proofread it again)
  12. Some Common Mistakes:
    • Use active voice ("she told me to sing") rather than passive voice ("I was told to sing by her") in describing a character's actions
    • Watch out for subject, verb, and tense agreement (not: one does what they think is good)
    • Do not write there when you mean their, or it's when you mean its
    • Make sure your sentences are complete.
    • Use the Writing Center if you assume they could help you producing a better paper.

Topics

1) Compare and contrast what the second and fourth Surah says about the right to self defense and the obligation to fight with Bin Laden’s argument (as laid out in his various interviews, for example on website to “Hunting Bin Laden”)  to engage in a Holy War with the US. In addition to the Koran and Bin Laden’s arguments, you may use additional material provided in the course (Video: Hunting Bin Laden –and website--; Empire of Faith; Lecture on Jihad by Prof. Abul Khondker;)

2) What are the important aspects of the Koran repeatedly referred to in Arabian Nights? Comment on the role of these religious elements in the folk stories of Arabian Nights.

3) Many of the male characters in the Arabian Nights are afraid of the women. What do you think are the reasons for this fear? Can you draw a connection between these male fears and the structure of the society described in the "Nights?"

4) What are the strategies Shahrazad is pursuing to "cure" the king of his vengeful hatred towards women? Can you find recurring themes in the stories that she tells that could help make the king change his mind?

5) Examine the role of curiosity in “Arabian Nights.” When is it good to be curious, when is it bad to be curious? Use one or several examples of the story and comment on the meaning of curiosity in these texts.

6) Stories in Arabian Nights can have a redemptive quality. Analyze one such redemptive story, and interpret the meaning of this form of redemption within the context of Arabian Nights.

7) Throughout this semester we have discussed stories that were formative for the West as well as the East. Often, these stories have broken up the seemingly rigid divide between the two. Think back to our first discussion of creating a mental map of the East and the West. Has your image of the West and the East changed or did it remain the same? If it changed, which texts, discussions, or other sources of information have influenced you the most and why? If your image did not change, how have these texts confirmed your preexisting notion of West and East?