Idaho Social Studies 9-12.WC.25

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Foundations of Western Civilization

The Standard

Explain the reintroduction of Classical thought from the Islamic World into Christendom.

Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · The Middle Ages (c. 330 AD – 1450 AD)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace how ancient Greek writings were translated and studied in the Islamic world, then reached readers in medieval Europe. They explain what Muslim scholars and Latin translators each contributed.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can trace Aristotle's writings through Arabic translation and commentary to Latin readers in places such as Toledo. They can explain how Ibn Rushd's commentaries helped European scholars study Aristotle.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think Muslim scholars only copied Greek works and added nothing. Others think Aristotle wrote in Arabic, or that every Greek work reached western Europe by the same route.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: In three sentences, trace Aristotle's writings from Greek into Latin, name one translation center, and explain what Ibn Rushd added.

Lesson moves

Give students a blank map and labels for Baghdad, Toledo, and Paris; have them draw the route from Greek writings to Latin university texts.
Ask students to write three sentences answering: Why is it inaccurate to call medieval Muslim scholars mere copyists?
Give pairs cards labeled Greek text, Arabic translation, Ibn Rushd's commentary, Latin translation, and university classroom; have them order and explain the cards.
Search a university library catalog for Aristotle and Ibn Rushd; ask why both thinkers still appear in philosophy collections.

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