"Introduction to Western Civ"

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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.”

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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: Christopher_Carlsmith@uml.edu

Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00, & happily by appt.

Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith/teaching/43.105

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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

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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….

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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

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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

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Western Civ.: Past & Present Sports and Culture

Western Civ.: Past & Present Religion