BOOKNOTES Teacher Guide Bernard Lewis, discusses his book What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response. This lesson plan can be used to examine the Middle East region and the Islamic religion.

Step One: Research
Have students do some preliminary research on the Middle East. Have students research the following topics:

• What countries comprise this region?
• What languages are spoken?
• What is the predominant religion of the region?
• What are the landscapes like?

Step Two: Discussion
Ask students what they know or belive about the Middle East. What do they know about Islam? Do they have preconceived ideas about people who live in the Middle East? If so, what do they think?

After Viewing Booknotes

Discussion
Have students discuss the questions from the section above. Have their impressions about the Middle East region changed by watching this program? If so, how?

Activity
Have students pick a country in the Middle East that they would like to know more about. Have them research some topics as population, income levels, literacy rate, religion, etc. The report should include information that is key to understanding this country's geopolitical position in the Middle East. Students should deliver their report to the class.