Context

This project focuses on the Arab peoples and their rich and diverse history. Their civilization dates back millennia, however, to facilitate our study, we will mainly focus on the period that begins with the formation of Islam in the 7th century. During this time, the Arabs quickly transformed from a collection of nomadic tribes into a vast and highly advanced empire, which had a significant impact on world history.

The Arabs played a significant role in shaping the modern world. They developed innovations in a variety of fields, including sciences, mathematics, medicine, literature, and art. Furthermore, as pioneers of trade on transcontinental routes, they helped establish trade networks linking different parts of the world. The cultural and academic legacy of the Arabs continues to be an inspiration and influence in many aspects of modern society.

The Arab world has a rich cultural and historical heritage that is often overshadowed by contemporary perceptions and prejudices. This activity aims to provide students with a more balanced and accurate view of the Arabs, looking beyond stereotypes and focusing on the contributions they have made to the world. This is especially relevant in today's world, where it is crucial for us as global citizens to understand what unites us, rather than what sets us apart.

To delve deeper into the subject and gain a clearer understanding of the topics covered during the project, we suggest reading the book 'The Arab World: The Civilization that Came from the Desert' (Luiz Marques, 2017) and watching the documentary 'Arab World: A Cultural History' (MOOC EP.01) available on YouTube.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Arab Trade Route: Understanding the Silk Road and the Spice Route

Project Objective:

Understanding the importance of trade for the Arab Empire, analyzing the famous Silk Road and Spice Route. Experience the process of trade and negotiation, and the cultural connections developed through these routes.

Detailed Project Description:

Student groups will recreate a section of the Arab trade routes, using visual resources, historical narratives, and practical experiments to trace the journey of an Arab merchant. They will have to research the products that were traded, the challenges faced, negotiation techniques, the influence of Islam on the conduct of Arab merchants, and the cultural exchange that occurred as a result of trade.

The main objective of the project is to allow students to experience in a playful and practical way the theoretical studies on the history of the Arabs and the importance of trade for their civilization.

Required Materials:

1. Ancient world map to trace trade routes.
2. Art materials for creating scenarios and objects.
3. Products to represent goods of the time (spices, fabrics, gemstones, etc.).
4. Internet access and books for research.

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Research: Students must conduct in-depth research on the Silk Road and the Spice Route, focusing on the traded products, main cities involved, dangers and challenges faced by merchants.

2. Route Planning: Based on the research conducted, students must map out their trade route on the map, indicating the cities that would be visited and the products that would be traded. They should also discuss how they would deal with the challenges they might encounter along the way.

3. Recreation of the Route: Students must use art materials to recreate sections of their trade route. They can build city models, create fake goods for trading, and even stage negotiation scenes.

4. Route Presentation: Finally, students must present their trade route to the class, narrating the journey of an Arab merchant, explaining the traded goods, the negotiation techniques used, and the cultural exchanges that occurred along the route.

At the end of the project, students must compile their research and practical activities into a detailed report, divided into four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. The report should be written collectively and should demonstrate the learning acquired during the activities, as well as address the socio-emotional skills developed throughout the project.

Project Deliverables:

1. Model of the chosen trade route, containing details of each city and the traded products.
2. Oral presentation to the class of the journey of the Arab merchant.
3. Written report, containing:
   • Introduction: Relevance of trade for the Arabs and project objective.
   • Development: Discussion on the research conducted, the theory behind Arab trade, the execution of the practical activity, and the results obtained.
   • Conclusions: Reflection on the skills learned, appreciation of teamwork, and the importance of Arab trade for human history.
   • Bibliography: References used for the project development.