Western Civilization I (with Honors option)
Class Time: 11:05 - 12:05
Grade Level: 9th - 12th
Instructor: Diane Harvey
Contact Information: diane.m.harvey6@gmail.com
Course Description:
“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”
– Winston Churchill
In this course, we will embark upon an exploration of the political, social, economic, and cultural foundations of our Western world. Our journey begins with an examination of early civilizations with particular attention devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman societies and their contributions to Western culture. We will follow the rise of Christianity while watching the Roman empire divide and fall, giving way to Germanic tribes and the development of feudalism within medieval societies. We will explore the important role of the Church in the Middle Ages and the changes in Europe brought about by conflict with the Muslim world in the Crusades. Despite the benefits of growing trade and education, we will find the medieval world challenged in new ways by the onslaught of plague, war, and religious turmoil. Europe’s cultural and intellectual rebirth in the Renaissance, however, will usher in a new era focused on the pursuit of the wisdom and beauty found in the ancient world, thus bringing us full circle to the start of our journey. Interestingly, this reawakening of the past through the Renaissance will ultimately form the bridge to our modern Western world.
In addition to significant historical figures and events, our study of early Western civilization will reference the great books of Western culture authored by influential philosophers, political leaders, early Fathers of the Church, and writers of the time period. We will study the art and architecture of the age and consider the impact of geography on the development of societies. Consequently, the materials we use will extend beyond the textbook to include reading excerpts from literature and documents, viewing selections of art for analysis, and engaging in map work to enhance our understanding of the geography of the time period.
Honors option available.
Tuition: $400 (Honors option: additional $20)
Class Size: 8 - 15 students
Course Materials:
- Glencoe World History by Jackson Spielvogel
- Additional materials will be provided through handouts, material in Google Classroom, and online videos and reading.
Teacher Qualifications: Diane Harvey is a former Assistant Professor of Government at George Mason University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science in 1993 and earned her doctorate in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1998, specializing in American Government and Political Behavior. While completing her doctorate, she taught numerous undergraduate classes for the university and was a recipient of their Excellence in Teaching Award. Upon completion of her doctorate, she served as assistant professor and internship director in the political science department at George Mason University. She took an "early retirement" from academia to homeschool her four children, but she has returned to the classroom to teach courses in government, history, and literature to local high school students.