why am i taking a course on western civilization

The Major reason for studying Western Civilization is to learn from whence comes what today we call “ideological thinking.” It major source was not religion (that would be dogma, ritual, and myth, which are not the same as ideology), but rather that of Athenian sophistry.

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What does Western civilization teach you?

The Arizona State University course, Western Civilization: Ancient and Medieval Europe Learn, teaches the origins and development of Western societies and institutions from the ancient world through the Middle Ages.

Was the Western civilization inevitable?

The civilization of the West, however, was not the result of some inevitable process through which other cultures will automatically pass. It emerged from a unique history in which chance and accident often played a vital part.

What is the greatest achievement of Western civilization?

The greatest achievement of Western civilization is actually "achievement" itself. An "achievement" is something new and valuable that is seen as such, and is allowed to cause its consequences because of a faith that they will be good overall (even if they are initially destructive or disruptive) rather than being ignored or damped out.

What is the influence of Western civilization on American culture?

The influence of Western Civilization is global; defining American culture and North American culture among others. The written history of Western Civilization begins in the Greco Roman period where philosophers including Plato, Socrates and Aristotle would lay the groundwork for all Western philosophical thought.

Why is it important to study Western Civilization?

The study of the history of Western Civilization also offers insight into the post-colonial decline of Western Civilization following WWI, and a more critical understanding of the inequalities and biases central to evaluating the growth of Western Civilization.

What is Western Civilization and why is it important?

Western civilization refers to the art, literature, culture, and enduring ideas that emerged from the eastern Mediterranean basin in the centuries before the common era, that developed in myriad forms through the Middle Ages, and that ultimately took modern shape after the Renaissance.

What is a Western Civilization course?

Course description This course surveys the history of the West from remote antiquity to the 16th century. We will consider developments in technology, economy, politics, religious institutions and faiths, cultural media and social ideals. Together, these themes add up to civilization in the west.

Is Western Civ required?

Nationwide, only 17% of colleges require Western Civ, and only 18% require American history or government.

What can we learn from Western culture?

Society and community value system For any terrible situation, we think it is not our responsibility but that of someone else. However, the same responsibility towards community is well understood in the West. Western people show their concern for society and make sacrifices, if required.

What influenced Western civilization?

The first major influences on what would become Western civilization were two of Europe's first major, settled civilizations: the Greeks and the Romans. The Greeks built the first major urban centers in European history and dedicated their lives to philosophy, arts, and learning.

When was the beginning of Western Civilization?

Art historian Kenneth Clark wrote that Western Europe's first "great age of civilisation" was ready to begin around the year 1000. From 1100, he wrote: "every branch of life – action, philosophy, organisation, technology [experienced an] extraordinary outpouring of energy, an intensification of existence".

What is Western Civilization quizlet?

STUDY. Civilization. A large scale system of human political, economical, and social organizations; civilizations have cities, laws, states, and often writing. Paleolithic era.

What is Western civilization1?

The Western Civilization I exam covers Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East; the Middle Ages; Renaissance and Reformation.

Is Western Civilization still taught?

While still taught at many universities today, Western Civilization courses are now often presented as general European history survey courses—a holdover from a bygone era.

Is Western Civilization the same as European history?

Western civilization arose in Europe, and then spread across the world. As it grew geographically scope, it became an increasingly dominant strand in world history – to the extent that the histories of every civilization and region of the world was impacted by it in a profound way.

What is the difference between Eastern and Western Civilization?

Eastern and Western cultures have a different perception of power and power distance. Eastern cultures tend to have a very hierarchical structure, where Western cultures are more egalitarian. “Western cultures value independence and tend to promote individuals who are task orientated and individualistic.”

What was the most important development in Western Civilization?

The Renaissance and European Expansion Perhaps the most crucial development in the idea of Western Civilization in the pre-modern period was the Renaissance. The idea of the “Middle Ages” was invented by thinkers during the Renaissance, which started around 1300 CE.

What are the key characteristics of Western Civilization?

Key Features of Western Culture Western culture is ruggedly individualistic. Westerners pride themselves in having their own unique identities. They like to think for themselves, and they value individualism. Eastern culture, by contrast, tends to be much more collectivist.

How did Western Civilization dominate the world?

For centuries, western powers had the predominant ability to project power by land, sea and, later, air. From the early 18th century, Russia conquered a land empire and maintained control through overwhelming military power and the use of railways.

What is the most important event in Western history?

The Hundred Years War begins. This was a conflict between England and France over who should control the French throne. The French monarchy comes out stronger then ever, but the feudal system begins to break down. Charlemagne is the first person to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.

What is classical education?

A classical education is a heritage bestowed upon us to preserve for and convey to future generations. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, Handel’s Messiah, Plutarch’s Lives, Augustine’s Confessions, Galileo’s Two New Sciences, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and the Gospel of John belong to all of our students. I recently visited King’s Grove School, a classical school near Tulsa, Oklahoma, devoted to teaching students with special needs. In the mornings, students learn reading and spelling, writing and arithmetic. In the afternoons between necessary therapies, they hear beautiful music and gaze upon great art through the “Wonder, Beauty, and Imagination” section of our Simply Classical Curriculum. I observed with delight as students listened to a reading from the Bible about eternal life, heard Pachelbel’s simple “Canon in D,” and studied the warm, golden landscape of “ Peace and Plenty ” by George Inness. One young girl, a student with Down syndrome, fixed her eyes on the painting and spoke slowly with great longing, “I want to go there.” Her teacher softly told her, “In Jesus, we will all go to the land of peace and plenty.”

Did Western civilization offend you?

Once upon a time, when a person intended to learn about education, the words “Western civilization” did not offend him. Today, for reasons that elude many of us, hearers now take offense at these words and the studies they embody. I witnessed this firsthand at a recent homeschooling convention in a room filled to its three hundred-seat capacity, ...

Where did Western civilization originate?

However, Western civilization goes all the way back to the ancient world, grounded in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to Greece and Rome. At the foundation of Western civilization, the Americas were unknown and our current understanding of global politics and economics was incomprehensible.

What are the three key pillars of Western civilization?

Important to our understanding of Western civilization are three key pillars that make it distinctive in the world: the Judeo-Christian tradition, democracy and rationality.

How did Descartes challenge the scientific method?

During the Enlightenment, Descartes challenged the empiricism of the scientific method by applying a method of doubt, or skepticism. Our senses can be inaccurate, therefore, the acquisition of knowledge must be attained through pure thought; by the application of deduction.

What is the ideal of governance?

The fundamental idea has been to involve as many people as possible in self-government, with the assumption that individual liberties are best protected when individuals have a voice in policy making.

What is worse than the devil outside of us?

Worse than the devil outside of us is the devil inside us all. Sin causes enmity between people and God, between individuals, between people and creation. This aspect of our nature is often reflected in literature through narrative conflict. The idea of the fall explains why life is a path of suffering.

Why should we be educated in self-government?

If people are to participate in self-government, they should be well educated in order to understand the rule of law, to engage in public policy debate and to contemplate the ethical values that bear upon individual and corporate well being.

How is salvation accomplished?

Salvation is accomplished not through our own effort, but through someone coming from outside our closed system to do what we could not do. The infinite takes on finitude to save the finite. Both Judaism and Christianity promote essential moral values based on the holiness of God.

What is Western civilization?

The term Western Civilization refers broadly to a constellation of customs, beliefs, political systems, and events rooted in European history and Western culture. The influence of Western Civilization is global; defining American culture and North American culture among others.

Who were the philosophers of Western civilization?

The written history of Western Civilization begins in the Greco Roman period where philosophers including Plato, Socrates and Aristotle would lay the groundwork for all Western philosophical thought.

What is the history of violence?

A History of Violence examines the origins, changing nature, uses, and attitudes towards human violence in western history. If you’re more interested in how Westernization has impacted other cultures, consider taking the MIT/Harvard course, Visualizing Japan (1850s-1930s): Westernization, Protest, and Modernity.

What is the Arizona State University course?

The Arizona State University course, Western Civilization: Ancient and Medieval Europe Learn, teaches the origins and development of Western societies and institutions from the ancient world through the Middle Ages.

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CMV: Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia have certified that Biden won in those states, so now Trump should concede the election

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Judeo-Christian Tradition

Democracy

Rationality

A Rationale For Western Civilization

• Having explored to some extent the unique qualities of Western civilization, we may now be in a position to understand why it is so important to place it so prominently within our school curriculum. Students need to learn their story. The Western story is a complex story, unique and meaningful. It is not a superior civilization nor is it without it...

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