Fall 2024 OLLI Digital Catalog

The Rise of the Western World (F204)

F – Culture

Course introduces the major elements of Western civilization from the ancient world to the pre-Italian Renaissance, with special emphasis on the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions. It surveys the history of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East and explores the classical roots of modern civilization. We begin with the first civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, the roots of western religion in ancient Israel; then proceed through Bronze Age, archaic and classical Greece, the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world, the rise of Rome, and the fall of the Roman Empire and the coming of Christianity, and the history of medieval Europe.

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This offering meets for a total of 11 session(s).

INSTRUCTORS: Charles Johnson

JOHNSON, CHARLES–Retired associate professor, chair of arts and science and assistant dean, Goldey-Beacom College. Taught survey of western civilization courses for many years. Has traveled abroad extensively with family for pleasure as well as with students while leading educational for-credit trips.

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