Medieval Middle East, Africa, and Europe - Transmission of Learning and Culture

Averroes by Richard Taylor
Maimonides by Charles Manekin
Science and Technology in the Middle Ages by Joanne Findon
The Foundations of Science in the Middle Ages by Edward Grant

Discussion:
Spain during the Reconquista - mix of cultures and religions
Translating Aristotle and other thinkers - reintroduction to Europe
Movement of culture from Middle East to Europe via the Crusades

Activity:
History journal
Map study

Medieval Africa - Kongo

Kongo Ndongo by Kenny Mann
African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper
A Brief Political and Geographic History of Africa by John Davenport
Wonders of the African World by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Discussion:
Foundation of Kongo after the Bantu expansion
Trade - cloth
Social and government structures

Activity:
History journal
Mapping Kongo
Picture Study

Medieval Africa - Great Zimbabwe

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper
A Brief Political and Geographic History of Africa by John Davenport
Wonders of the African World by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Discussion:
Zimbabwean architecture and building techniques
Trading partners - goods (gold, porcelain, glass)
Decline of Great Zimbabwe

Activity:
History journal
Mapping Great Zimbabwe
Picture Study

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Benin

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Benin: Lords of the River by Philip Koslow

Discussion: 

Geography and climate of Kingdom of Benin

Natural resources (bronze, spices, ivory, slaves)

Colonialism and the beginning of the slave trade (decline of Benin)

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (Benin...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Songhay

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Songhay: The Empire Builders by Philip Koslow

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Discussion: 

Extent of Kingdom of Songhay, inheritance from Mali

Warfare, expanding Songhay influence throughout Western Africa

Colonialism and decline

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (The Royal Kingdoms... and Songhay...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Mali

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Discussion: 

Extent of Kingdom of Mali, inheritance from Ghana

Timbuktu, Social structures and rituals, art

Decline

Activity: 

History journal

Map study

Picture study (The Royal Kingdoms...) 

Medieval Africa - Western Kingdoms - Geography and Review

African Beginnings by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson, and Floyd Cooper

Discussion:
Climate, geography, natural resources (gold, salt)
Early West African kingdoms - Jenne-jeno
Ghanaian foundation mythology - review of Dinga Cisse

Activity:
History journal
Map study - Niger River, Jenne-jeno, Kingdom of Ghana

Medieval Middle East, Medieval Africa - Fatimids - Cairo and Governance of Africa

Cairo by Rob Bowden and Roy Maconachie
Islamic Art and Culture: A Visual History by Nasser Khalili

Discussion:
Location and geography of Cairo, Fatimid Empire
Extent of Fatimid rule
Waning of Fatimid empire

Activity:
History journal
Map study - northern Africa and the Fatimid empire

Medieval Middle East - Fatimids

Islam by Neil Morris
Islamic Art and Culture: A Visual Guide by Nasser Khalili
Cairo by Rob Bowden and Roy Maconachie

Discussion:
Origin of the Fatimds
Foundation of Cairo
Aspects of governance - religious tolerance, meritocracy, Berber military forces

Activity:
Mapping the Fatimid Caliphate
History journal