EUROPE
The Roots of Western Civilization and Global Conflict
Why study Europe?
Consider your family. Do some of your family members trace their roots back to a country in Europe? What about language? Over centuries of interaction between the peoples of Europe, English developed into one of the world’s great and important languages spoken either as a first or second language by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Spanish and French are spoken by over 700 million people worldwide.
There is a good chance that your religious beliefs (whether you believe in a spiritual deity (god) or have a secular non-religious outlook on life) have been influenced by European philosophers and religious scholars. Our democratic form or government has its roots in ancient Greece and Rome. Then, there are also the European roots of our understanding of the natural world, of our universe, and the mathematical laws that are the key to developing the advanced technology that allows us to enjoy the highest standard of living ever achieved by mankind.
Do you have a grandparent who served in World War II? Or was your family affected by the Holocaust? Did slavery impact your ancestors? How about a family member who took part in the Vietnam War or who recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan? Many of the conflicts affecting the lives of Americans have their origins in European history.
In this unit you will complete the following research-based activities…
I. European Geography - identify on a map the countries of Europe and learn each country’s capital. Also identify major topographical features.
II. Highlights of European History –- research an assigned topic and share what you learned in a short (less than 5 minute) class presentation that will be integrated with your teacher’s lecture.
III. Biographical Collage –- research an assigned category of notable Europeans and design a visually interesting collage. Be prepared to share what you learned with the class.
IV. Backpack Tour –- take a “virtual” tour of an assigned region of Europe and send three postcards back “home” describing what you saw and what you did.
"Come now, Percy. What you call 'Western civilization.' Do you think it's just an abstract concept? No, it's a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years. The gods are part of it. You might even say they are the source of it, or at least, they are tied so tightly to it they couldn't possibly fade, not unless all of Western civilization were obliterated. The fire started in Greece. Then, as you well know—or as I hope you know, since you passed my course—the heart of the fire moved to Rome, and so did the gods. Oh, different names, perhaps—Jupiter for Zeus, Venus for Aphrodite, and so on…” – The Lightning Thief
What do we mean by the term WESTERN CIVILIZATION?
The “west” is a direction, but with a capital letter the term means much more. When you read about the West or Western Civilization what is being referred to is a set of traditions, beliefs and values that have their origins in Europe and spread throughout the world, in particular, to the United States and Canada. Western thinking arose in ancient Greece and Rome and later was influenced by Christianity and later still by the revolutions that spread though Europe in the 18th and 19th century.
How is the West different from the East? That is not an easy question to answer because in a global society ideas and values blend together. But if you had to create a list of ideas and ideals that have shaped Western Civilization, that list would include the following…
· Human reasoning can lead to a greater understanding of our world
· Individual have rights that governments must respect
· Religious belief is a matter of personal choice and should not be imposed on people
· People should have a say in how they are governed
· Progress is possible and will lead to greater happiness
Regional Study Guide: EUROPE Page 1
M. Beilin 2012