The following are essays I’ve written over the course of my university seminars. My focus varies, but I will say that I do not concentrate on contemporary political history for the most part. My passion is for medieval and early modern Middle Eastern topics. Note: you will need Adobe Acrobat to view some of the essays.

All works are the copyright of John Morgan and may not be reproduced without permission.

 

Apostasy in Flux

A short review of the concept of apostasy in Islam and subsequent presentation and analyis of pertinent essays on the subject.

Bridge of Song

A brief overview of the Moroccan and Turkish dialects of Judeo-Spanish.

The Caliphate: Evolution of an Islamic Political Concept

A look at the earliest idea of the Caliphate contrasted with later Muslim interpretations.

Exporting the Revolution

An essay which gives a brief background to the Iranian support of Lebanese Shi'ites.

Interpreting Olana: Unity or Disunity of Discourse?

An exploration of the meaning behind pseudo-Middle Eastern architecture in the famous American mansion Olana. This is one of several essays I wrote for a seminar called "Interpreting the Orient," which focused on art history as well as intellectual.

Lost Threads: Chapter Two

Chapter Two of my Master's Thesis, discussing the Almoravids and Almohads.

Muhammad Abduh

A short introduction to the influential Egyptian thinker Muhammad Abduh.

The Palestine Mandate and Creation of the Jewish State

A summary of the events leading to the creation of the British Mandate in Palestine and subsequent formation of the state of Israel. Please note that my stance is neither pro-Palestinian nor pro-Israeli; insofar as is possible, this is meant as an objective outline of political events.

Quadrologue

A discussion of the merits of mixing anthropology with history in three specific cases. The professor encouraged us to write in the form of a dialogue.

Race and Rihla

A short examination of the concept of race embodied in two medieval Muslim travel accounts, contrasted with ideas of race in medieval Islam presented in Bernard Lewis's Race and Slavery in the Middle East

Representing the Berber

An introductory survey of English language Berber scholarship. For version with endnotes, click here.

Shi'ism and the Safavid Body Politic

A very brief treatment of how Shi'ism became the dominant branch of Islam in Iran.

Testing the Limits: Two Jewish Courtiers of Spain

The role of the Jewish courtier and man of letters in Muslim Spain, as illustrated by two particularly noteworthy figures.