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The Time Compass: Islam

19 minutes 58 seconds
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Students learn how wandering Arabs began to settle around desert oasis and how Mohammed challenged traditional religious teachings. The episode follows the development of a military that eventually overcome the people who had sent Mohammed away from Mecca, and the establishment of a thriving economy centered in bazaars of the capital city. Later, when the capital city is moved to Bagdad, it becomes a refined city of beautiful Islamic architecture, and advanced scientific and philosophical achievement. By the time that Bagdad is sacked by the invading Mongols, Islamic culture has spread throughout the Mediterranean world. The episode closes with the Tales of the 1001 Arabian Nights with their stories within stories of Scherezade, Sinbad, Ali Baba and Aladdin, to name only a few.

Media Details

Runtime: 19 minutes 58 seconds

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Student Activity
ASL
Digital illustration of ancient artifacts from the Shang dynasty including a stone dragon and oracle bone script with early Chinese calligraphy. Caption. Because the rulers were all from the same family.
The Time Compass
Episode 1
19 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Simple map with brown edges is labeled, "Dinastía Qin." Spanish caption. Qin Shi Huang se proclamó emperador.
The Time Compass
Episode 2
17 minutes 22 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Digital illustration of diverse people exchanging goods for money in a crowded square. Caption. That it formed a new base of power for the Roman Empire.
The Time Compass
Episode 3
19 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Color illustration of a faded battle scene with an arc of gold objects passing through it. Spanish caption. Estas tremendas guerras que comenzaron en el año 1096.
The Time Compass
Episode 4
15 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Color illustration of ancient Egyptian people standing in a garden with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Irrigation system. Shaduf." Caption. Which let them grow more crops.
The Time Compass
Episode 5
19 minutes 31 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Color illustration of fish swimming in water next to a green platform with water running through it. Text on image reads, "Sistema de riego. Shaduf." Spanish caption. Narrador. Los egipcios necesitaron mucho ingenio.
The Time Compass
Episode 6
16 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Computer model of the city of Caral. The Incan city is tiered with a stairway connecting from the amphitheater at the bottom to a grouping of walled structures at the top. Next to this, an animated alpaca and sign that reads, "Caral year 3,000 B, C."
The Time Compass
Episode 7
18 minutes 37 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Digital map of South America with Chile highlighted in a light color. Labeled countries along Chile's Eastern border from top to bottom include, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Spanish caption. Hasta el norte de Argentina y centro de Chile.
The Time Compass
Episode 8
14 minutes 55 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
ASL
Animation of a woman wearing a white sheer dress dancing on a stage for a man wearing a green tunic and gold headband seated behind a small wood desk. Caption. It seems that Paris, a Trojan prince.
The Time Compass
Episode 9
19 minutes 38 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8
Computer rendering of a few Greek statues and artifacts made to look like they have been placed on display on top of a grassy field. Spanish caption. Los griegos se hicieron esa misma pregunta.
The Time Compass
Episode 10
16 minutes 30 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 8

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Andrew S. (Frederick, MD)
    October 21st, 2020 at 11:48 AM

    Great source to use when introducing the religion of Islam. I found it very helpful in my class.

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Alicia M. (Frederick , MD)
    October 30th, 2019 at 10:47 AM

    This was very helpful for my Middle School class in introducing the Islamic Religion after a study of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula

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