HIS 101 - Western Civilization From Ancient Times Through 1500

1. Identify the major distinguishing characteristics of the primary civilizations of the ancient Near East and North Africa.
2. Describe the essential contributions of the ancient Near East to the social, cultural and intellectual development of Western Civilization.
3. Explain the crucial role of Greek civilization of distinctive political, social, cultural and intellectual institutions of the West.
4. Explain the major political, economic and social developments of the Roman Republic and Empire, which were central to the emergence of the West.
5. Assess the reasons for the rise and development of various religions in ancient, medieval and early modern cultures.
6. Compare and contrast the distinguishing features of economic, social and political feudalism in the evolution of European society.
7. Identify the major forces that marked the transition from late medieval to early modern society and the European nation states.
8. Evaluate the impact of political, economic and intellectual changes in the evolution and development of European civilization.

1. Origins of agriculture and civilization
2. Archaic civilizations in the Ancient Near East: Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Hebrews
3. Hellenic Greece: Urbanism, overseas trade, art and philosophy
4. The Roman Republic and Empire
5. Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic world
6. Eastern and western Christianity and the Islamic world
7. Politics, society, religion, farming and feudalism in the Early Middle Ages
8. Kingdoms, new economies, new learning, society and culture in the High Middle Ages
9. The Renaissance
10. Absolutism and dynastic states

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