History: Islamic civilisations (1)

Arabia and early Islam

Arabia before Muhammad Bedouin culture, trade and life in the desert; the place of the Makkah in the trade of the Middle East and the world.

Makkah, Medina and the birth of Islam. Disciplinary focus: change and continuity

Geography: Earthquakes

Depth focus: The Christchurch earthquake, New Zealand.

Causes of earthquakes: tectonic plates, fault lines and tsunami.

How humans live in earthquake zones and adapt their settlements (e.g. Japan). Disciplinary focus: interaction

RE: Christianity 5 – The message of Jesus spreads

Stories from Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s epistles: The Ascension of Jesus and the apostles. The Day of Pentecost. Paul’s conversion and missionary journeys. Gentile Christians, the Council of Jerusalem and multi-ethnic nature of the early Church. Letters of Paul

Spread of Christianity across Mediterranean, into Africa (links with history and empire of Aksum) and Syria into the Greek world. Early Christian Church including beliefs, worship and practices.

How did Christianity develop in the early Church and how do we know?