The Middle East (Southwest Asia)

The Middle East(Southwest Asia) FSMS 7th Grade Social Studies; Unit 2 Culture (Religions; Intro & Judaism) September 9th; Days 8 Georgia Standard SS7G8(c)

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Standard SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). (c) Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

First Five Agenda: 1st Social Studies Project on the countries of SWA will be assigned Friday and due on September 19th. Standard: Compare & contrast the religions of Judaism, Christianity, & Islam. E.Q. for Thursday, 9/4/14: What is monotheism? Warm Up: What is a desert oasis? TODAY WE WILL: • Finish introduction on ethnic and religious groups • Start histories of Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

ANSWERS Essential Question Answer for Thursday September 4th: Monotheism is the belief in one god Warm-Up Answer for ThursdaySeptember 4th: A desert oasis is a place in the desert that has an underground spring providing fresh water, palm trees, fruit trees, and green grass for grazing of camels and goats.

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: Progress Reports go home Monday. SWA Snap-shot Projects assigned today, due September 19th. See Project Description. Standard: Describe the diverse cultures of the people of SWA. Essential Question for Friday; 9/5/14: What is the Diaspora with regard to people of the Jewish faith? Warm Up: Name the three patriarchs of Judaism. TODAY WE WILL: • Finish history of Judaism Continue to fill-out Religions of SWA Worksheet • SWA Snap-shot Project Description distribution

ANSWERS Essential Question Answer for Friday September 5th: The Diaspora was the 1,000 year period in the history of Judaism where Jews were spread throughout the world and they did not have a homeland. Warm-Up Answer: The three patriarchs of Judaism are Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Introduction Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their origins in the lands that make up the countries of Southwest Asia. (a.k.a. The Holy Lands) Though these three religions have much in common, historically there has been a great deal of religious conflict in this part of the world. All of the other countries in the region are mostly Muslim, although most also have a Christian minority. There are further divisions within all three religions. Most are divided into a number of sects or groups.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Introduction cont. The most important sects are the Sunni Muslims and the Shia Muslims. Christians have many different sects which they refer to as denominations. They include Protestants, Catholics and various Orthodox sects. Different groups are found among Jews as well, including those who are Orthodox and those who are Reform. Religion has played a big role in the history and politics of Southwest Asia.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History Judaism was the first monotheistic religion, meaning its followers believe in only one God. Judaism traces its origins back to Abraham, a man born in Mesopotamia in approximately 2,000 B.C. He was one of the first people to profess belief in a single God, even though the society in which he lived worshipped many different gods. The Torah, the first five books in the Hebrew Scripture, says that God made a covenant (agreement) with Abraham, promising to set him as the head of a new nation if he would dedicate himself and the Hebrew people to the worship of one God.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. Abraham left Mesopotamia and eventually came to the land of Canaan (part of the present day state of Israel) on the Mediterranean coast, which he believed God had promised to him and his descendants. Here the Hebrews lived, worshipping Yahweh, the God they believed would protect them for their faithfulness. At a very old age, Abraham and his wife Sarah had a son, Isaac. Abraham, Isaac and his grandson Jacob, are seen as patriarchs, or founders, of the Hebrew nation. Jacob’s twelve sons, in turn, are viewed as the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. The Hebrew people lived in an area surrounded by more powerful kingdoms, and the Bible says that around 1,300-1,200 B.C. The Hebrews were forced into slavery in Egypt. After years of suffering, a leader named Moses, took them into the Sinai desert to escape from slavery. This escape is known as the “Exodus” and is remembered each year by the celebration of Passover in the Jewish religious calendar. While wandering in the Sinai desert, the Jewish faith teaches that God renewed his covenant with the Hebrew people, revealing to them the Ten Commandments.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. After many years, they were able to return to Canaan where they lived in twelve generally self-governing tribes. The largest of these tribes was that of Judah (from which the names of Judaism and Jews developed). Around 1,000 B.C., the Hebrew people united under a series of kings (King Saul, King David, and King Solomon) in the kingdom of Israel. King David established his capital in the city of Jerusalem. King Saul later built a great temple there and dedicated it to the one true God of the Jewish people.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. Struggles with more powerful neighbors continued however, and eventually the kingdom was divided with Judah in the south and Israel in the north. Independent rule in the area was ended finally by a Roman takeover, and the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. Only a portion of the Western Wall of the Temple built by King Saul was left standing.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. The Jewish people were forced out of the lands around Jerusalem and for many generations lived in what was called “The Diaspora,” or the scattering of the Jews to other parts of the world. The importance of Jerusalem and of the remaining western wall of the Temple continued to be central to Jews during the long centuries of the Diaspora. Jewish people continue to believe that the lands of ancient Israel remained part of the covenant they had made with God.

SWA Snap-shot Project Pick one of the following countries for your project: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey, or Iran Cover the following information in a PowerPoint or Poster presentation; People & Culture Type of Economy Economic Growth Type of Government Factors Impacting Government Leaders Growth Environmental Issues

SWA Snap-shot Project The People & Their Culture • Ethnic Groups • Religious Groups • Education • Literacy Rates • Standard of Living

SWA Snap-shot Project The Government • Type of government • Do citizens participate in decision making? If so, how? • How does the government distribute power between the central government and local governments?

SWA Snap-shot Project The Economy • Type of Economy • Gross Domestic Product (last three years) • Is the economy growing? • What has the country invested in to encourage growth?

SWA Snap-shot Project Geography & Environmental Issues • Describe geography of the country • Is access to water a problem? • Is water pollution a problem? • Soil pollution? If so, why?

SWA Snap-shot Project Instructions: • Write one-two paragraphs for each sub-heading (i.e. People & Culture, Government, Economy, etc.) • No cut & paste jobs Please! Use your own words. • Site your sources on the final page of your submittal. • Use of images/photographs is encouraged • A rubric will be provided on Monday September 8th

The Middle East (Southwest Asia)