The course introduces the History of Western Civilization from its origins in the Ancient Near East and the Greek and Roman world to approximately the age of the Industrial Revolution. The course will emphasize a pedagogical approach that is best suited to Chinese students of Western languages and literatures: The Hebrew tradition; the development of the Greek and Roman cultures; Christianity; the evolution of the Indo-European languages; European contacts with the East; Western concepts of self, other, home, identity, family, nation, state, and justice, divinity, etc. The Spring semester takes up with the early Middle Ages, and continues to the Industrial Revolution and the modern world.

History of Western Civilization examines the “western tradition”—those unique patterns of thought and systems of values that constitute the Western heritage. This course will focus on key ideas and the broad themes found throughout the history and development of Western civilization while also providing key details of the most important economic, political, and social movements that occurred. The subject is divided into two courses over two semesters. The first (offered in the fall semester) covers Western Civilization from prehistory to the Middle Ages while the second (offered in the spring semester) covers Western Civilization from the Renaissance to the present day.

Cole, Joshua, and Carol Lynne Symes. Western Civilizations. 5th ed. Norton, 2020.