This course begins in ancient times, with the foundations of Western civilizations, crisis and recovery in the Middle Ages, and then follows the cultural, social and political progress of Europe through the Renaissance and Reformation, its overseas expansion in the early modern era, and the Age of Enlightenment. The course focuses on European thought and culture, as well as technological change and political competition that set the stage for the rise of the Western prominence in the modern world.

CILO-1: Interrogate the concept of Western Civilization(s) by tracing ruptures as well as continuities, external as well as internal interactions in “Western” history. CILO-2: Examine the long history of Western civilizations from the ancient to the early modern period. CILO-3: Acquire basic reading, writing, and presenting skills.