1. Understanding Western Culture Where did it all begin?

2. Society TraditionsReligionPolitics Art & Literature Philosophy Science & Technology Ethical Values What is Culture? Education Age Social Class Organization

3. Western culture ≠ Western Film / TV (not completely accurate, but does influence it)

4. Originates from Ancient Greece (Europe) Socrates, Plato, Aristotle establish the foundations of Western Philosophy Who made Me? Why am I here? What is my purpose in Life?

5. Spread by Roman Empire (1st Century BC) Establish law, engineering, and gov’t beyond their immediate borders = acquire cultural aspects from surrounding areas

6. Influenced by Christianity (4/5th Century) Made the official state religion of the Roman Empire, and the Roman Catholic church played a vital role in the development of the new European civilization

7. Stagnated during Dark Ages (5/6th Century) Because religion distrusted science, cultural development essentially stopped

8. Rebirth: Renaissance (14 – 17 th Century) Renaissance - it encompassed a resurgence of learning, art, and widespread educational reform..Its influence affected literature, philosophy, art, politics, science, religion, and other aspects

9. New ideas: Scientific Revolution (17 th Century) It was a period when new ideas in physics, astronomy, biology, human anatomy, chemistry, and other sciences led to a rejection of ideas from Ancient Greece and laid the foundation of modern science.

10. Logic & Reason: Age of Enlightenment (18 th Century) A period of time characterized by the importance of logic and reason “freedom to use one's own intelligence” Separation from King + Religion Common people got a voice Basic challenges to the authority of the king, freedom of speech, press, and religion, and the role of commoners in the government were revolutionary.

11. Independence: American Revolution (Late 18 th Century) Setting the principles of our culture based on individual rights, freedom, entrepreneurial invention, etc

12. Industrial Revolution (19 th Century) Leads to norms on workers rights, working conditions, hours per week, wages, age of workers, social security, health care, etc

13. Modern Civilization (Today) Photo by Steve Rhodes 1 st minority president = opportunity

14. Reason Individualism Happiness Rights Capitalism Reality- or fact-based thought and perception (Aristotle 384-322 BC) Emphasis on the individual person who is independent and self-reliant Worldly happiness should be the focus of each person's life Individuals should be able to act on their own reason without interference from others – i.e. freedom Recognizes the right of private ownership, capital accumulation, exchange and profit Core Ideas & Values

15. Transcend geography and race (no connection) Exist worldwide in some form (usually mixed) We live in a multicultural world where cultures: