Instructor: Mr. K. Lopuck
Room: 155
Website: https://kevinlopuck.weebly.com/
E-Mail: [email protected]
Welcome to history of western civilization!
This course will introduce you to the people, ideas and events that have shaped the societies which are part of Western civilization. Western Civilization is difficult in itself to define. There are numerous ways of looking at it; geographically, politically, economically, religiously, ideologically and culturally. It is, however, generally accepted that Canada is a product of Western civilization. Therefore, it is extremely important that as democratically active and engaged citizens of this country, we have an understanding of the history of Western civilization.
This course is what’s termed a ‘survey history’, meaning that it is a broad overview of over 30 centuries of history. For obvious reasons it is easy to get lost in the amount of history that occurred in the last 30 centuries and it is for that reason this course will examine the development of Western civilization while referring to the concepts of religion, ideology, humanism, individualism, secularism, and skepticism.
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Historical Overview
Unit 1 provides a look at the general nature of history as a discipline, including Western civilization as a particular field of history. The six major concepts are introduced.
Unit 2: Pre-Modern Western Civilization
Classical Greece and Rome, Judaism and Christianity, and the Middle Ages are presented as the three major sources of Western Civilization.
Unit 3: Renaissance, Reformation, and Absolutism vs. Representative Government
Profound changes in religion, government and society are examined. Many of the institutions which Europe had developed in previous centuries were greatly altered, but Western civilization moved closer to ways of life we would recognize from our own period of history.
Unit 4: The Age of Reason and the Political, Agricultural, and Industrial Revolutions
Accelerated change processes, spurred by the development of science and its application to such fields as the production of goods will illustrate how the rapidly expanding knowledge altered the way many people saw the world. Inspired by these new attitudes, enthusiasts attempted to bring about social change. Their ideals were often resisted, and many reform movements ended in major societal change such as the French Revolution.
Unit 5: Major Movements and Events From 1815-1919
The unsuccessful attempts of the major European powers to slow the process of change are considered. Despite these efforts, the “commoners” demanded more control over those forces that influenced their lives. A major theme in this unit, therefore, is the growth of democracy in many European countries. Ironically, as Europeans developed greater freedoms at home, their governments were rapidly acquiring colonies, especially in Africa and Asia. This imperialism brought more areas under European control, usually against the will of the local peoples.
Unit 6: 1919 to the Present
Early in the century, competing philosophies – socialism and fascism- offered alternative paths for nations to follow. After the Second World War, devastating conflict threatened between East and West in the “Cold War.” At the same time, a new bloc of nations- the developing world – emerged and demanded recognition from both east and West, including a share in international policy.
Assessment and Evaluation:
The History of Western Civilization course follows assessment guidelines established by the Department of Education and by the Social Studies Department of the Lord Selkirk Regional School. Please refer to the department hand-out.
Throughout this course, assessment will be differentiated and may include many of the following:
Coursework (no exam) 100%
Instructor: Mr. K. Lopuck
Room: 155
Website: https://kevinlopuck.weebly.com/
E-Mail: [email protected]
Welcome to history of western civilization!
This course will introduce you to the people, ideas and events that have shaped the societies which are part of Western civilization. Western Civilization is difficult in itself to define. There are numerous ways of looking at it; geographically, politically, economically, religiously, ideologically and culturally. It is, however, generally accepted that Canada is a product of Western civilization. Therefore, it is extremely important that as democratically active and engaged citizens of this country, we have an understanding of the history of Western civilization.
This course is what’s termed a ‘survey history’, meaning that it is a broad overview of over 30 centuries of history. For obvious reasons it is easy to get lost in the amount of history that occurred in the last 30 centuries and it is for that reason this course will examine the development of Western civilization while referring to the concepts of religion, ideology, humanism, individualism, secularism, and skepticism.
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Historical Overview
Unit 1 provides a look at the general nature of history as a discipline, including Western civilization as a particular field of history. The six major concepts are introduced.
Unit 2: Pre-Modern Western Civilization
Classical Greece and Rome, Judaism and Christianity, and the Middle Ages are presented as the three major sources of Western Civilization.
Unit 3: Renaissance, Reformation, and Absolutism vs. Representative Government
Profound changes in religion, government and society are examined. Many of the institutions which Europe had developed in previous centuries were greatly altered, but Western civilization moved closer to ways of life we would recognize from our own period of history.
Unit 4: The Age of Reason and the Political, Agricultural, and Industrial Revolutions
Accelerated change processes, spurred by the development of science and its application to such fields as the production of goods will illustrate how the rapidly expanding knowledge altered the way many people saw the world. Inspired by these new attitudes, enthusiasts attempted to bring about social change. Their ideals were often resisted, and many reform movements ended in major societal change such as the French Revolution.
Unit 5: Major Movements and Events From 1815-1919
The unsuccessful attempts of the major European powers to slow the process of change are considered. Despite these efforts, the “commoners” demanded more control over those forces that influenced their lives. A major theme in this unit, therefore, is the growth of democracy in many European countries. Ironically, as Europeans developed greater freedoms at home, their governments were rapidly acquiring colonies, especially in Africa and Asia. This imperialism brought more areas under European control, usually against the will of the local peoples.
Unit 6: 1919 to the Present
Early in the century, competing philosophies – socialism and fascism- offered alternative paths for nations to follow. After the Second World War, devastating conflict threatened between East and West in the “Cold War.” At the same time, a new bloc of nations- the developing world – emerged and demanded recognition from both east and West, including a share in international policy.
Assessment and Evaluation:
The History of Western Civilization course follows assessment guidelines established by the Department of Education and by the Social Studies Department of the Lord Selkirk Regional School. Please refer to the department hand-out.
Throughout this course, assessment will be differentiated and may include many of the following:
- Oral Presentations
- Journal Entries
- Unit Tests
- Readings
- Research Projects
- Article Analysis
- Daily Assignments
Coursework (no exam) 100%