Chapter 3: Explorers Reach the Americas "The Writing's on the Wall"

Introduction
Students have read about the search for eastern trade routes and contact with merchants carrying exotic goods. In this lesson, students will learn about how Muslim merchants shared their culture and system of writing and numbering.

Lesson Description
Students will read a brief description of the Muslim religion from the Islamic Arts Web site. They will learn about the Quran and its influence on major social institutions. They will view various calligraphy styles.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will learn more about one of the world's major religions.
2. Students will consider the complex function of language as a symbol system.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. Early Islamic scholars feared that artistic images might be worshiped as idols, so they chose letters to express their spiritual beliefs.
2. Deewani, Kufi, Naskh, Riga, Talig, and Thuluth
3. Answers will vary; accept reasonable responses, such as Mayan glyphs or primitive cave paintings.

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