Changes

American history concerns only about 400 years; World history concerns over 5000 years, going back to the first evidence of recorded events.  Our class covers much of the material in a course on Western Civilization or European history, but we cover more too.  We will learn about Islam and Hinduism and all the forces that continue to shape our world to this day.  One cannot fully understand 9/11, violence in the Middle East, or hostility between India and Pakistan without learning World history.  We will.

American history concerns only about 400 years; World history concerns over 5000 years, going back to the first evidence of recorded events.  Our class covers much of the material in a course on Western Civilization or European history, but we cover more too.  We will learn about Islam and Hinduism and all the forces that continue to shape our world to this day.  One cannot fully understand 9/11, violence in the Middle East, or hostility between India and Pakistan without learning World history.  We will.

I like to learn how mankind progressed in understanding the unseen, such as truth and gravity and God.  In mathematics, mankind progressed from the discovery of geometry ([[Greeks]]) to the concept of “zero” (Indians) to calculus (English).  In economics, mankind progressed from wage and price controls (Romans) to the “invisible hand” of the free market (English), which then unleashed tremendous prosperity.  Government progressed from rulers who claimed to be gods (Egyptians), to monarchies (Middle Ages), to constitutional republics (United States).  What are we progressing towards now?  Use history to predict the future.

I like to learn how mankind progressed in understanding the unseen, such as truth and gravity and God.  In mathematics, mankind progressed from the discovery of geometry ([[Greeks]]) to the concept of “zero” (Indians) to calculus (English).  In economics, mankind progressed from wage and price controls (Romans) to the "invisible hand" of the free market (English), which then unleashed tremendous prosperity.  Government progressed from rulers who claimed to be gods (Egyptians), to monarchs (Middle Ages), to constitutional republics (United States).  What are we progressing towards now?  Use history to predict the future.

Do not be misled by thinking ancient peoples were dumb or boring because they lacked the technology of modern society.  The Egyptians, for example, cleverly built the massive pyramids using techniques that no one to this day can figure out or duplicate.  In 2600 B.C., they constructed the pyramid of Khufu containing 6 million tons of stone extending to a height of 481 feet.  The workmanship was superior to what we do today: the rock base was virtually perfectly flat, not varying in elevation by more than a half-inch; its orientation is precisely aligned with the points of a compass; its stones were perfect fits.  Inside was a chapel, a causeway, and a temple.  It amazes architects to this day.  We would not be able to duplicate it even now, and no one knows how they were able to do it 4600 years ago.  Many other cultures, from Mesopotamia to Greece to Rome to India to China, invented things and discovered knowledge that no one today is smart enough to duplicate.  Could you built a wheel, or bake bread from scratch?

 

Do not be misled by thinking ancient peoples were dumb or boring because they lacked the technology of modern society.  True, they lacked television and the internet.  Does that mean it was boring or dull in 2500 B.C.?  Not at all.  People were probably smarter than they are today.  The Egyptians, for example, cleverly built the massive pyramids using techniques that no one to this day can figure out or duplicate.  In 2600 B.C., they constructed the pyramid of Khufu containing 6 million tons of stone extending to a height of 481 feet.  The workmanship was superior to what we do today: the rock base was virtually perfectly flat, not varying in elevation by more than a half-inch; its orientation is precisely aligned with the points of a compass; its stones were perfect fits.  Inside was a chapel, a causeway, and a temple.  It amazes architects to this day.  We would not be able to duplicate it even now.  Many other cultures, from Mesopotamia to Greece to Rome to India to China, invented things and discovered knowledge that no one today is smart enough to duplicate.  Do you know how to bake bread from scratch?

   

   

The feats of our ancestors are one part of the study of history.  Also important are the clash of ideas, values, religions, systems of government and economies.  Individuals, too, make a difference in extraordinary cases.  One of many debates that we will have in this class is this: why did societies rise and fall in power?

The feats of our ancestors are one part of the study of history.  Also important are the clash of ideas, values, religions, systems of government and economies.  Individuals, too, make a difference in extraordinary cases.  One of many debates that we will have in this class is this: why did societies rise and fall in power?

   

   

Just as you use reference points like landmarks to find your way, identify historical reference points to make it easier for you to organize the many hundreds of facts you will learn in this course.  For example, the exodus of the Jews from Egypt is an excellent reference point for understanding the rise and fall of Egypt.  The birth of Christ is another reference point that even our calendar uses to organize dates.

Just as you use reference points like landmarks to find your way, identify historical reference points to make it easier for you to organize the many hundreds of facts you will learn in this course.  For example, the exodus of the Jews from Egypt is an excellent reference point for understanding the rise and fall of Egypt.  The birth of Christ is another reference point that even our calendar uses to organize dates.