introduction to western civ -...
TRANSCRIPT
"Introduction to Western Civ"
1
Western Civilization to 1715 43.105 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: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith • 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.-1700 A.D.”
"Introduction to Western Civ"
2
More Course Information • Books (in bookstore and on Reserve)
• Tom Noble, Western Civilization {textbook}, 6th ed. • Merry Wiesner, Discovering the Western Past {sourcebook} 6th 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: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith
Contact
Prof. Carlsmith Coburn Hall 108
Tel: (978) 934-4277 E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00, & happily by appt.
Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith/teaching/43.105
"Introduction to Western Civ"
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. 525. 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 4704-05; Jewish = 5767-68; Islamic = A.H. 1427-28 (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 -1800 AD) • Modern (1800 AD – 1950 AD) • Post-Modern (1950 – 20??)
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
"Introduction to Western Civ"
4
Bronze Age Empires of the Old World, 3500-1200: Origins of Civilization
(This lacks reference to Mesoamerican societies)
What does “Western” mean?
Alternate world views….
"Introduction to Western Civ"
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
"Introduction to Western Civ"
6
Today’s Agenda
• Introductions • Course Information
• Goals & Definitions – Periodization, “Western”, “Civilization”
• Books • Syllabus & Course Description • Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith
• 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
"Introduction to Western Civ"
7
Western Civ.: Past & Present Sports and Culture
Western Civ.: Past & Present Religion