WORLD TOUR: 14^th Century Traveler's Journal

[Mali] [Dar-al-Islam] [China] [Europe]

Mali

1. Geography 
2. Visiting the Mansa 
3. Duties of the Mansa 
4. Land and People of Mali 
5. Mansa Musa 
6. Explore Mali on Your Own
7. Leaving Mali: Final Reflections
8. Leo Africanus: 
9. Description of Timbuktu 
10. The Islamic Legacy of Timbuktu 

Dar-al-Islam

1. Reflections on Rise of Islam
2. Belief and Practice
3. Growth of Islam
4. Life in a Muslim City
5. House of Wisdom
6. Exploring Islam on Your Own
7. Leaving Dar-al Islam

China under Mongols and Mings

1. The Silk Road and Trade Routes
2. Brief History of China
3. Confucianism
4. Buddhism
5. Daoism
6. Civil Service Exams
7. Exploring China on Your Own
8. Leaving China

Europe in the Middle Ages

1. Opening Entry: Life without Order?
2. The Feudal System
3. The Manorial System
4. History of Christianity
5. The Roman Catholic Church
6. Crusades and Inquisitions
7. City Life
8. Exploring Medieval Europe on Your Own
9. Leaving Medieval Europe

We are about to begin an imaginary World Tour, 1400. We are going to stop at many places along the way, see many things, meet many people. Your job is to keep a traveler's log or diary. Write as if you were actually visiting the places we will talk about in class, read about, or see.  There are many sources for creating our imaginary trip. Some will be primary. We will investigate objects, buildings, artistic creations, and documents from the many places we visit. We also will use secondary sources to understand the time and place.  Unlike other journal entries, I will evaluate these for (1) accuracy, (2) use of historical terms and concepts, and (3)thoroughness. Each entry will count for 5 points. If you miss an entry, you can make it up (for a slight reduction in grade). 

Have fun with the journal -- be clever -- be creative -- but be accurate. For example, you could create a humorous story. Or you might want to create a special role or personality for yourself as you travel. What would your entries be like if you were a thief (imaginary, of course) stealing something from each place we visit? Or a person on a mission? Or searching for a treasure? Or a person investigating an answer to a problem? Or a mystery? Try to imagine you are on a wonderful adventure, visiting a new and exotic place each day. 

I encourage you to try different ways make a journal entry. For example, you might draw your entry, write a poem, create a song, or develop a script for a play or movie. 

No matter how creative you are, remember that each entry must be historically realistic (no Martians visiting you, or atomic ray guns appearing to end a war). We are traveling in 15th century, not today.  Remember, I will evaluate each entry on  accuracy,  effective use of historical terms and concepts,  and thoroughness