Course Objectives:

  Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

• Trace aspects of the development of Western cultural, political, religious and social processes from hominid evolution to the Early Modern period.
   
• Describe changes in thought as it relates to Western culture in this period
   
• Identify and discuss some of the major people, events and time periods
   
• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of historical topics and recognize differences in approach between science, philosophy, economics, and geography to historic questions.
   
• Be able to apply basic historical methodologies and critical thought to current and historical controversies.

 Why Study Western civilization?

(beyond gaining core credit ... ) Studying Western civilization provides a key to self-understanding for people in the West. This civilization has been largely responsible for shaping who and what we are, both in our social and personal selves. We ask what Aristotle and Aquinas, Babylon and Byzantium, Herodotus and the Habsburgs, Stoics and Scholastics have to do with us or say to us today? By acquiring an understanding of the development of Western civilization, students acquire a richer appreciation of the present and future both in the West and in those parts of the world directly and indirectly affected by Western powers.

Intellectual growth entails the development of academic skills. Effective reading, writing, thinking; analysis and synthesis of concepts; and understanding of key events, ideas and forces that have shaped the Western world, all contribute to the education the College seeks to provide. Gaining insight into the development of Western civilization, students expand their basis for understanding themselves and shaping their worlds and a reference point for respecting the autonomous development of other cultures.