Western Civilization I
History 1121 B

Russell 327
FALL 2009

Instructor: James O. Richards
Telephone: (706) 647-8503
E-mail: jor@charter.net
E-mail (Work): jor@gdn.edu

Course Outline

Topic

I. Introduction to the Course

Introduction – August 17.

Continued – August 19 --- Reading—Kagan, Ozment, and Turner, The Western Heritage, Brief 6^th Edition, Vol. I, chapter 1.

II. The Origins of "Europe" as a Culture in the Judaic, Greek, Roman, and Christian Cultures.

Ancient Judaism as a Basis for "Europe". – Aug 24.
Continued – Aug 26.

Continued – Aug 31.
Classical Greece as a Basis for "Europe" – Sept 2 --- Reading--Western, chapter 2.

Labor Day Holiday, Sept 7

Continued – Sept 9.

Continued – Sept 14.

Hellenistic Greece and the Transformation of Greek Culture – Sept 16 --- Reading--Western, chapter 3.
Ancient Rome as a Basis for "Europe" – Sept 21---Reading--Western, chapter 4.

Continued, Sept 23. Reading--Western, Chap. 5, pp. 118-129.

Examination over lectures, text, and Reading exam – September 28

Greco-Roman Culture and the Rise of Christianity – Sept 30 --- Reading--Western, chapter 5, pp. 130-147.
Christianity as a Basis for "Europe" – Oct 5.

Continued – Oct 7.

MID-TERM. Withdrawals are "WF" after this date – October 8.

October 12 - 13, Fall Break.

The Fusion of Greco-Roman Culture and Christianity (Augustine's City of God as a Study) – Oct 14.

Reading Western, chapter 6.

III. The First "Europe" as a Synthesis of Judaeo-Christian, Greco-Roman and Germanic Elements.

Library Assignment - Oct 19 & 21.

The Birth of "Europe" as a New Culture – Oct 26 --- Reading--Western, chapter 7.
Continued – Oct 28.

Islam and "Europe" – Nov 2.
The First "Europe" as the Culture of the Medieval West – Nov 4 --- Reading--Western, chapters 8 & 9.
The Bonds of Medieval Society: Feudal and Manorial Life and the Church – November 9.

Synthesis as a Motif in Medieval Culture with an Emphasis on Dante's Divine Comedy – Nov 11.
The Medieval Synthesis in Art and Architecture (Film-Lecture) – Nov 16.

Examination over lectures, text, and Reading exam – November 18.

IV. Toward the Second Europe: The Early Modern Era as a Transitional Period.

From the First to the Second "Europe" (Search for New Authorities) – Nov 23 --- Reading--Western, chapter 10.

Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 25

Toward New Views of Man and the Universe – Nov 23.

A New Doctrine of Personality: The Dignity of Man and the Renaissance Ideal of L' uomo Universale – November 30.

The End of "Europe" as Common Spiritual Aims and Values – Nov 30 --- Reading--Western, chapters 11 & 12 .
Toward a New View of the State: Niccolo Machiavelli and the Modern Secular State – Dec 2.

Varieties of the Modern Secular State – Dec 2 --- Reading--Western, chapter 13.

V. Review and Reflection.

Review and Reflection – Dec 7.

Final Exam over lectures, text and readings, Dec 11, 8:00 am

Course Objectives and Policies

Students should have knowledge of the following historical topics:

· 1. Greco-Roman culture

· 2. Christianity

· 3. Feudalism and Medieval Culture

· 4. Renaissance

· 5. Reformation

· 6. Ancient World

In addition, the instructor of this course intends that you be able to do the following:

· 1. Know fundamental information about the cultural tradition of Europe.

· 2. Be able to identify the concept of culture used in this course and the major elements of European culture.

· 3. Be able to identify the contributions of each of the following cultures to Europe: Judaic, Greek, Roman, and Christian.

· 4. Be able to describe the basic elements of the first phase of European culture and be able to show how these elements are illustrated in the whole life of medieval Europeans.

· 5. Be able to identify the characteristics of the Renaissance and Reformation as an era of transition from the First to the Second Europe.

· 6. Be able to think and write better than you could when you began the course, thus becoming an educated, civilized person.

When I record for you a grade of "C" or better, that will mean that you gave evidence of having accomplished the objectives listed above.

Here's how I am going to teach this course.  All my lecture notes are on my web site .  Before coming to class you need to read the lecture notes and notice the questions I pose in those notes.  I am not going to repeat those lectures in class.  I will touch on the major points in order to set the context for discussion of the questions with you.  Class attendance and participation in the discussions are required. (I call names when I don't get participation.)  The issues and topics we will be considering are fundamental.  Assuming Aristotle was correct when he said (Metaphysics, 980.21) "all men naturally desire knowledge," you should enjoy this course.  If you do not have a computer with access to the internet, you need to use one at the college.

If you need to contact me, call me at home or send me an e-mail message (jor@charter.net). I will try to make time before and after class for those who need help.

There will be three major exams (worth 100 points each) and three special reading exams (worth 20 points each). The total points for these exams, plus any points you earn for the library assignment or other announced projects, will be your final grade for the course. The distribution for the final grade is:

A = 360 - 324 points

B = 323 - 288 points

C = 287 - 252 points

D = 251 - 216 points

F = 215 - 0 points.

Special readings are in addition to the reading of the text. For a list of these see the special readings sheet. I will speak about these as we go; they will be works which can be related to the themes we will be talking about in lectures and discussions. You must do one from each of the three sections of the course. You must have my prior approval to read any work I have not announced.

All make ups for missed exams are given during the final examination period unless you have my permission to take them otherwise.

Regular attendance is required. If you stop attending, you will receive a grade of “WF,” a failing grade. See the section of the course schedule on Class Attendance. Also, the college has an academic dishonesty policy in the on-line catalog (See the last topic under Academic Information).

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