Traces the history and development of the visual arts of the Islamic world. Discusses the architecture of Islamic culture. Delineates the relationship between technological progress and the flowering of Islamic art. Summarizes briefly the contents of their book, "The Art and Architecture of Islam: 1250-1800." (RW)

Discusses the career and publications of Bernard Lewis, a noted scholar in the field of Middle-Eastern studies and Islamic history. Traces the history of Western-based Islamic historiography. Examines Lewis' interpretation of Islamic history, outlining his political and social views. (RW)

Traces briefly the history of Islam. Discusses the compilation of the Encyclopedia of Islam, Volumes I and II, a project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Delineates the differences between Volume I and II, illustrating the importance of the encyclopedia for Islamic scholars. Includes a short summary of other NEH-supported…

Traces the history of Turkey from the Cold War to the present and focuses on Turkey's adoption of a capitalist democratic pro-Western state. Delineates the tensions between pro-Western factions and more traditionally minded Turks. Examines Turkish relations with other Islamic countries, the Arab world, and the Third World. (RW)

Considers the difficulties presented when studying the Islamic religion through the current approach to history of religions and offers reasons for this phenomena. Examines the academic methodology in studying the history of religion, and traces its evolution. Examines major scholarly figures in the study of religion field. (RW)

Presents excerpts from the books of Bernard Lewis on Arab culture and history; Islamic religion, history, and politics; Orientalism; and slavery in the Middle East. Includes an excerpt on historiography and the problems of historical scholarship. (RW)