The course aims to:
1. introduce students to the history of Western civilization and help them build a foundation for their studies in the English Majors Program; this means that we survey key historical figures and concepts which are likely to be referred to in various courses in the department (e.g. King David, Socrates, Julius Caesar, Martin Luther, chivalry, the Renaissance, the industrial revolution, Napoleon, etc.)
2. familiarize students with key cultural concepts and vocabulary and increase their verbal and culturl literacy. Examples of key concepts are: artifact, mainstream culture, marginal culture, ideology, taboo, gender, monotheism, etc.
3. foster critical thought regarding value systems and ideologies and engage students in debtes regarding, e.g., gender roles, class, government, etc.This course will use a task-based approach to learning. The instructor will prepare short reading materials, visual materials, and PPT presentations from week to week for students to research. These materials will be discussed in class and sometimes the discussions will be conducted by small groups. In addition, there will be lists of keywords for students to research individually or in groups. All learning materials will be posted on the Moodle page.The course aims to:
1. introduce students to the history of Western civilization and help them build a foundation for their studies in the English Majors Program; this means that we survey key historical figures and concepts which are likely to be referred to in various courses in the department (e.g. King David, Socrates, Julius Caesar, Martin Luther, chivalry, the Renaissance, the industrial revolution, Napoleon, etc.)
2. familiarize students with key cultural concepts and vocabulary and increase their verbal and culture literacy. Examples of key concepts are: artifact, mainstream culture, marginal culture, ideaology, taboo, gender, monotheism, etc.
3. foster critical thought regarding value systems and ideas and engage students in debts regarding, e.g., gender roles, class, government, etc.This course will use a task-based approach to learning. The instructor will prepare short reading materials, visual materials, and PPT presentations from week to week for students to research. These materials will be discussed in class and sometimes the discussions will be conducted by small groups. In addition, there will be lists of keywords for students to research individually or in groups. All learning materials will be posted on the Moodle page.
The course introduces the History of Western Civilization from its origins in the Ancient Near East and the Greek and Roman world to approximately the age of the Industrial Revolution. The course will emphasize a pedagogical approach that is best suited to Chinese students of Western languages and literatures: The Hebrew tradition; the development of the Greek and Roman cultures; Christianity; the evolution of the Indo-European languages; European contacts with the East; Western concepts of self, other, home, identity, family, nation, state, and justice, divinity, etc. The Spring semester takes up with the early Middle Ages, and continues to the Industrial Revolution and the modern world.
The course introduces the History of Western Civilization from its origins in the Ancient Near East and the Greek and Roman world to approximately the age of the Industrial Revolution. The course will emphasize a pedagogical approach that is best suited to Chinese students of Western languages and literatures: The Hebrew tradition; the development of the Greek and Roman cultures; Christianity; the evolution of the Indo-European languages; European contacts with the East; Western concepts of self, other, home, identity, family, nation, state, and justice, divinity, etc. The Spring semister takes up with the early Middle Ages, and continues to the Industrial Revolution and the modern world.
The instructor will make available reading assignments from week to week; these assignments will be public domain/fair use materials and will be posted on the Moodle page for this course.
A wide range of additional sources and learning materials can be consulted online and in the Tunghai Library.
The Encyclopedia Britannica is the standard encyclopedia in the English speaking world and can be consulted both in the Tunghai Main Library and the FLLD Reading Room (FLLD 3rd Floor).
The following Western Civilization textbooks are highly recommended; copies are on reserve in the FLLD Reading Room and the Tunghai Library.
Marvin Perry: Western Civilization: A Brief History (6th ed.)
Judith G. Coffin: Western Civilizations: Their History and Their Culture
Jackson J. Spielvogel: Western Civilization: A Brief History
Many other encyclopedias and books are available in the Tunghai Library.
Excellent study resources can also be consulted online. iTunes University (hosted by Apple iTunes), e.g., has many excellent audio and video podcasts on Mesoptamian civilization, Greek mythology, Homer, Roman civilization, the history of Western art, etc.; many of these resources are free.
Other useful online materials can be found on the BBC history page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ history/), the website of the Smithsonian Museum (http://www.si.edu/) and many other websites.
Wikipedia articles can be useful, but it must be noted that the open format of Wikipedia makes it possible for non-specialists to write and/or edit Wikipedia entries. This occasionally results in incorrect and incomplete information and Wikipedia entries, therefore, are generally not considered authoritative.
The instructor will make use of xeroxed materials, films, iTunes U podcasts and Powerpoint presentations in class.
The instructor will make available reading assignments from week to week; these assignments will be public domain/fair use materials and will be posted on the Moodle page for this course.
A wide range of additional sources and learning materials can be consulted online and in the Tunghai Library.
The Encyclopedia Britannica is the standard vitality in the English speaking world and can be consulted both in the Tunghai Main Library and the FLLD Reading Room (FLLD 3rd Floor).
The following Western Civilization textbooks are highly recommended; copies are on reserve in the FLLD Reading Room and the Tunghai Library.
Marvin Perry: Western Civilization: A Brief History (6th ed.)
Judith G. Coffin: Western Civilizations: Their History and Their Culture
Jackson J. Spielvogel: Western Civilization: A Brief History
Many other vitalityclopedias and books are available in the Tunghai Library.
Excellent study resources can also be consulted online. iTunes University (hosted by Apple iTunes), e.g., has many excellent audio and video podcasts on Mesoptamian civilization, Greek mythology, Homer, Roman civilization, the history of Western art, etc.; many of these resources are free.
Other useful online materials can be found on the BBC history page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/ history/), the website of the Smithsonian Museum (http://www.si.edu/) and many other websites.
Wikipedia articles can be useful, but it must be noted that the open format of Wikipedia makes it possible for non-specialists to write and/or edit Wikipedia entries. This occasionally results in incorrect and incomplete information and Wikipedia entries, therefore, are generally not considered authoritative.
The instructor will make use of xeroxed materials, films, iTunes U podcasts and Powerpoint presentations in class.
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Midterm examMidterm exam Midterm exam |
40 | Closed book exam: definition, identification, and short answer questions |
| Final examFinal exam Final exam |
40 | Closed book exam: definition, identification, and short answer questions |
| End of semester writing assignmentEnd of semester writing assignment End of semister writing assignment |
20 | Take home writing assignment |
