Foundations of Western Civilization

In this course is the very first of forty-eight lectures, where one explores the essential contours of the human experience in what has come to be called "Western civilization," from its humble beginnings in the ancient Near East to the dawn of the modern world; we will range from about 3000 B.C. to AD. 1600. We will begin by asking just what "Western civilization" actually is, or what it has been thought to be. Throughout the course, we will pause to reflect on where Western civilization finds its primary locus at any given moment. That is, we'll begin in the ancient Near East and move to Greece, then to Rome; we will explore the shape and impact of large ancient empires, including the Persian, Alexander the Great's, and Rome's. When we take our leave of Rome, we'll move to Western Europe. We'll watch Europe gradually expand physically and culturally. Finally, we'll see the globalization of Western civilization with the Portuguese and Spanish voyages of exploration and discovery.

"Western," "Civilization," and "Foundations"

SCOPE: This lecture will explore the three seemingly simple words "Western," "civilization," and "foundations." We ask, "Where is the West? Who is Western'? How have our understandings of the West changed over time?" The lecture will then turn to civilization and its civ- root, which is related to a range of Latin words meaning citizen (civis), city (civitas), and polite behavior (civilitas). Cities, therefore, are crucial. To arrive at cities, we will discuss the Neolithic Revolution— essentially the rise of agriculture—and such processes as irrigation and specialization of labor. Third, we will think about what foundations are, how durable they are, how easy or difficult they are to recognize. In a sense, we'll open a discussion of the difference between celebrity and distinction. To extend this reflection on foundations, we will conclude by stating several themes that will be pursued throughout the course: the roles of geography, climate, and ecology; the structure and ideology of political institutions; religious ideas and institutions; social structures, values, and customs; literary and philosophical achievements; and aesthetic representations in the arts and architecture.
OUTLINE

For Sherlock Holmes, the first principle of detection was to begin with the obvious. Let's turn the old sleuth on his head and begin with what is not so obvious.
A. What do we mean when we speak of "the West"?
B. "Civilization" is no easier to define.
C. Finally, then, what do we mean by "foundations"?
In the following forty-seven lectures, we'll proceed through some 4,500 years. We'll begin in the ancient Near East and end with a Western European world beginning to globalize. What themes will we follow?