西方文明史大纲(修改版)

Introduction to Western Civilization

1. Subject description and overview

The subject provides the beginning students with an understanding of the history of Western civilization from pre-historic times to the 18c. It will emphasize the reading and discussion of influential incidents that have shaped the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Western World during its ancient, medieval and early modern periods.

The subject will enable students to develop a better understanding of the history of the Western world, and learn to analyze critically some of the current Western issues from the historical perspective.

The student will learn aspects of the development of Western cultural, political, religious and social processes from hominid evolution to the Early Modern period. Therefore, in class, the student will be encouraged to get involved in the following discussions

∙Describe changes in thought as it relates to Western culture in this period

∙Identify and discuss some of the major people, events and time periods

The study of Western Civilization enables individuals to develop a better understanding of the western historical issues which affect the West and the world as a whole. The knowledge gained from this course in Western Civilization will be of lifelong value to the student. The influence of the subject on all areas of activity should stimulate the individual to continue reading and conducting research in detail concerning western civilization. It is recognised that students doing this subject may be drawn from different backgrounds and may hold different interests. Some may wish to study Western Civilization as preparation for further specialisation in the subject. Others may study the subject to complement other subject disciplines, such as, western literature, eastern civilization or the history of Chinese literature. Some

students may see the subject as one worthy of study in its own right.

2. Pre-requisite units and assumed knowledge

None

3. Learning aims and outcomes

Learning outcome 1:

Explain the development of the Western civilization in ancient times.

ASSESMENT CRITERIA:

a.Discuss the characteristics of the Western civilization in ancient times.

b.Explain the impact brought by the agricultural revolution in Neolithic Age on

the human civilization.

c.Discuss the political and cultural characteristics of the Roman Empire and

their influence on the world to come.

Learning outcome 2:

Explain the development of the Western civilization in Middle Ages.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

a.Discuss the role that trade and cities played in European society in high

Middle Ages.

b.Explain the emergence, the growth and the decline of the church power in

Medieval Civilization

c.Describe the great event “The Black Death” in the 14c.

Learning outcome 3:

Discuss the growth of the Western civilization in the early Modern Ages.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

a.Discuss the Renaissance and its great impact on the Western world.