HIST 1Western Civilization I

3 credits · History · Penn State

HIST 1 examines the development of western civilization, beginning with the ancient world of the Mediterranean, Europe, and Mesopotamia, and continuing through Early Modern Europe, which involves the Reformation, the Counter-Reformation, and the early period of the Age of Exploration. The course is intended to introduce aspects of Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern history that has helped to shape the developments of Western Civilization. The examination of written and visual primary sources, as well as secondary sources, allows this course to examine the political, religious, economic, and cultural development of the western world. The variety of sources used in the course aids the students in learning how to understand and interpret history, and encourages the students to develop a critical method by which to evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.