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Western Civilization to 1715 43.105 Fall 2010 Professor Christopher Carlsmith
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Today’s Agenda Introductions Course Information Goals Books Syllabus & Course Description (Handouts) Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmithhttp://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith Lecture Capture, Podcasts, and PDFs Definitions –Periodization, “Western”, “Civilization” Maps Why Study W. Civ?
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Introductions The course The professor The students Please check today’s box on the attendance sheet circulating through the classroom.
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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.-1700 A.D.”
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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: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmithhttp://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith Lecture Capture and PDFs for our course Arrival/Departure; Restrooms; Cell Phones
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Contact Prof. Carlsmith Coburn Hall 108 Tel: (978) 934-4277 E-mail: Christopher_Carlsmith@uml.eduChristopher_Carlsmith@uml.edu Office Hours: MWF 12-1, M 2-3, & happily by appt. Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith/teaching/43.105 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)
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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??)
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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)
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What does “Western” mean?
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Alternate world views….
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More alternate world views…
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What differentiates “the West” today?
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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 Books Syllabus & Course Description (Handouts) Course Web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmithhttp://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith Lecture Capture, Podcasts, and PDFs Definitions –Periodization, “Western”, “Civilization” Maps Why Study W. Civ?
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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.?
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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.
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Western Civ.: Past & Present Architecture
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Western Civ.: Past & Present Sports and Culture
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Western Civ.: Past & Present Religion
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For Friday Look up map terms Check course website, and review syllabus/course description/lecture notes Read assigned pages per syllabus
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