The Kite Runner: Research Topics
Mrs. Gutwerk – English 12
Websites to Avoid:
There is a lot of information on the Internet regarding Afghanistan and its people. While most of the information is
reliable, there are many websites that clearly have a bias and are not credible. Some websites to avoid (in general) are:
Prezi, Wordpress, Blogger, Tumblr, Blogspot etc. It is important for an assignment like this to make sure you are dealing
with reputable sources.
eBook Resources:
Utilize our subscription to the Gale Virtual Reference Library eBook collection. You can either search the entire
collection like a web search or look through a specific book. Some titles of interest include: Encyclopedia of Modern
Asia, Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa, Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World, Europe
since 1914, International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family. Password: mont_log
Do You Have a Library Card?
If you have a Montville Township Public Library card, you have access to additional databases that may help you with
this assignment. Go to: http://www.mainlib.org/databases/ and click on Facts on File (at the bottom of the page). Use
the barcode numbers on the back of your library card to access World Geography and Culture Online and Modern World
History Online.
Online Resources:
General Overview/Timeline:
BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/
Institute for War and Peace Reporting: https://iwpr.net/global/afghanistan
The United Nations (Human Rights page): http://www.un.org/en/rights/
Soviet Invasion:
 The Wilson Center: Search the digital archive for historical documents related to Soviet invasion and war with
Afghanistan: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/

An article from The Atlantic on the Soviet invasion. Includes photographs:
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/08/the-soviet-war-in-afghanistan-1979-1989/100786/
Education:
 Great Resource from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001246/124627e.pdf
Treatment of Women:
 U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/6185.htm
 “Buried Alive: Afghan Women Under the Taliban”
http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/1998summer/su98goodwin.php
 http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/south-asia/fear-still-lingers-for-afghan-women-10-years-afteroverthrow-of-taliban
 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/a-woman-among-warlords/womens-rights-in-the-taliban-andpost-taliban-eras/66/
Food:
 Afghan Food and Cookery: https://prospectbooks.co.uk/samples/NosheDjan.pdf
 Short article from NPR featuring two recipes: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6578725
Kite Flying (gudiparan bazi):
 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/14/world/asia/14iht-kites.4.8751433.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Buzkashi: (warning: some images are graphic. If you are an animal lover, you may want to skip this topic)
 http://apps.npr.org/buzkashi/
Sunni and Shi’a Muslims:
 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-16047709
 http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/06/18/the-sunni-shia-divide-where-they-live-what-they-believeand-how-they-view-each-other/
Taliban: (These websites provide general background and are a good place to start)
 http://www.bbc.com/news/special_reports/taliban_conflict/
 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718
 http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/taliban-afghanistan/p10551
 http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2009/03/2009389217640837.html
Afghanistan: General information including geography, economy, transportation etc.
 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html