Welcome to the History of Western Civilization, part I. This course is an overview of the origins and development known as Western civilization, from its ancient beginnings up to the era of the Renaissance and Reformation. Western civilization refers to the civilization that began in the ancient Near East and then developed primarily in Europe, northern Africa and the westernmost edges of Asia. The cultural and political legacy of this civilization is vast and has become predominant in much of the world.

The objective in this course is to understand how this civilization began and developed. Students will concentrate on several major themes: the rise and fall of the ancient and classical civilizations that were the forerunners to the rise of the West; the cultural legacy of these civilizations; the changing role of religion in society and changes in religion itself; the development of political institutions; and, of central importance, the continuing quest for new knowledge and its consequences on Western civilization.

The period that will be discussed is vast and multifaceted, and hence, difficult to master. However, its breadth also makes it a fascinating period to study.