Western Civilization to Fall 2010 Professor Christopher Carlsmith

Today’s Agenda Introductions Course Information Goals Books Syllabus & Course Description (Handouts) Course Web site: Lecture Capture, Podcasts, and PDFs Definitions –Periodization, “Western”, “Civilization” Maps Why Study W. Civ?

Introductions The course The professor The students Please check today’s box on the attendance sheet circulating through the classroom.

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; Art To learn about “Western Civilization, 3000-B.C A.D.”

More Course Information Books (in bookstore now and on Reserve soon) Tom Noble, Western Civilization {textbook}, 6 th ed. Merry Wiesner, Discovering the Western Past {sourcebook} 6 th ed. Judith Bennett, A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock Assignments 3 Map quizzes & 2 short written summaries 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 a weekday eve. in October (optional) Course Web site: Lecture Capture and PDFs for our course Arrival/Departure; Restrooms; Cell Phones

Contact Prof. Carlsmith Coburn Hall 108 Tel: (978) Office Hours: MWF 12-1, M 2-3, & happily by appt. Course Web site:

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 (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

Bronze Age Empires of the Old World, : Origins of Civilization (This lacks reference to Mesoamerican societies)

What does “Western” mean?

Alternate world views….

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

Today’s Agenda Introductions Course Information Goals Books Syllabus & Course Description (Handouts) Course Web site: Lecture Capture, Podcasts, and PDFs Definitions –Periodization, “Western”, “Civilization” Maps Why Study W. Civ?

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 tonight, on course website.course website –Review on Wed.; Map Quiz on Friday, 9/6.

Western Civ.: Past & Present Architecture

Western Civ.: Past & Present Sports and Culture

Western Civ.: Past & Present Religion

For Friday Look up map terms Check course website, and review syllabus/course description/lecture notes Read assigned pages per syllabus