Exam 10: The Islamic World

What is the Koran?

How did the Mosque of Selim II become Sinan the Great's ultimate expression?

What decoration is on the carpet from the funerary mosque, and what did it symbolize?

In the seventh century, the capital of Islam had been transferred from Mecca to Damascus by the ____.

At the Cordoba maqsura, the architects experimented with ____.

Compare and contrast the luxury arts of Islam. How do they respond to their respective creating cultures? What are the political overtones found in the work? How did these luxury arts influence the West? Use examples to support your essay.

The new style of mosque developed by the Ottomans can be described as ____.

Describe the importance of calligraphy and the Koran.

The event called the Hijra, which was ____, marks the beginning of Islam.

The positioning of all mosques, no matter period or country, must be oriented toward which of the following cities?

Compare and contrast the "shared" heritage of the Christian West and the Christian East with Islamic culture. Consider the motifs borrowed and adapted to fit within the tenets of Islam. How were they modified to illustrate this new religion and political ambitions of subsequent generations? Use examples to support your essay.

The Saminid mausoleum from Bukhara can be said to be which of the following structure types?

Why were monumental tombs virtually unknown in the early Islamic period, and how did this change?

Islamic religious architecture is closely related to ____.

The Great Mosque at Córdoba has a hypostyle prayer hall with horseshoe-shaped arches adapted from which of the following?

Briefly describe the Saminid mausoleum and its contribution to Islamic architecture.

Describe the development of the mosque and identify its significant architectural traits. How does it relate to the worship of the faith? How does it reflect the political change initiated by Islam? Use examples to support your essay.

Compare and contrast the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem with the Mosque of Selim II in Edirne. What are the differences? How do you account for them? Include in your essay the political overtones as well as Western artistic influences. Use examples to support your essay.

The mihrab, a semicircular niche set in the qibla wall, possibly honors the place where ____.

Explain calligraphy as an art form, both as the written word and pure decoration and pattern. How does it express the nature of Islam as a religion? How does it express the political and artistic needs of Islam? Use examples to support your essay.