Today s Agenda. Course Goals. "Introduction to Western Civ" Western Civilization to Spring 2013

Transcription

1 Western Civilization to Spring 2013 Professor Christopher Carlsmith Today s Agenda Introductions The course; the professor; the students Course Information Goals Books Syllabus & Course Description (Handouts) Course Web site: Definitions Periodization, Western, Civilization Maps Why Study W. Civ? Course Goals To read critically, listen carefully, write persuasively, speak thoughtfully, and think clearly (all important job skills); To analyze a primary source; To see connections b/w past and present; AIDS/Plague; Classical/Modern democracy; Medieval Peasant Revolts/Arab Spring; Gothic/Neo-Gothic architecture; To learn about Western Civilization, 3000-B.C A.D. 1

2 More Course Information Books (in bookstore and on Reserve) Tom Noble, Western Civilization {textbook}, 6 th ed. Merry Wiesner, Discovering the Western Past {sourcebook} 6 th ed. [to rent or buy, at Bookstore or elsewhere; also at O Leary Lib. Reserve Desk] Assignments 10 reading quizzes, 3 Map quizzes & 1 very short essay 2 Midterms (take-home OR in-class) & Final Exam Participation, esp. on discussions of primary sources Syllabus & Course Description (handout and on course Website) Code of Hammurabi (in Wiesner) Map Terms & Map Quiz (on course website) MFA Trip on Wed, Feb. 27th, 5:00-9:00 pm (optional) Echo 360 Lecture Capture Course Web site: Contact Prof. Carlsmith Coburn Hall 108 Tel: (978) Christopher_Carlsmith@uml.edu Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00, & happily by appt. Course Web site: 2

3 Periodization of European History Every society develops its own chronology and dating system (e.g., Chinese New Year, Jewish History, Muslim calendar**). In Western History, we use: BC* ( Before Christ ) or BCE ( Before the Common Era ) AD ( Anno Domini = In Year of our Lord) or CE ( Common Era ) *Invented ca AD by Dionysius Exiguus, to calculate dates of Easter Sunday, and birth of Christ; but he misdated Jesus birth by 4-6 years. **Our 2007 = Chinese Year of Boar or ; Jewish = ; Islamic = A.H (Anno Hegira, = 622AD) Periodization of European History Ancient (3000 BC 600 BC) Classical (600 BC 450 AD) Medieval (500 AD 1400 AD) Early Modern (1400 AD AD) Modern (1800 AD 1950 AD) Post-Modern ( ??) What is civilization? From civis = citizen or member of a larger group. The cultural achievements of a specific group of people (e.g., Mayan civilization ) civilized = refined, polite, opposite of barbaric. Complex Societies Intensive agriculture Urbanization Division of labor Social hierarchies Government / State Larger populations Laws, Armies, culture Band/Tribal Groups Hunter/Gatherer Nomadic villages No specialization Egalitarian Family/clan leadership Small populations 3

4 Bronze Age Empires of the Old World, : Origins of Civilization (This lacks reference to Mesoamerican societies) What does Western mean? Alternate world views. 4

5 More alternate world views What differentiates the West today? Which of the following is different between East and West? Political forms Economic emphasis Religious vs. Secular authority Social Structures Intellectual achievements Artistic/Creative accomplishments Natural Resources 5

6 Today s Agenda Introductions Course Information Goals & Definitions Periodization, Western, Civilization Books Syllabus & Course Description Course Web site: Maps Why Study Western Civ.? Maps Geography is crucial to understanding history of the past. We ll begin with maps of the Ancient World. Look up terms this week, on course website. Map Quiz on Wed, Jan. 30th Western Civ.: Past & Present Architecture 6

7 "Introduction to Western Civ" Western Civ.: Past & Present Sports and Culture Western Civ.: Past & Present Religion 7