Humanities 2A: Background of Western Culture and Society

Vermeer, "Delft"

Time: Spring 2016: MW 10:30-11:45 a.m. Lecture, Noon-1:15 p.m. Seminar

Location: Lecture: DMH 357, Seminar: SH 240

Description

Humanities 2A offers an integrated, interdisciplinary introduction to ideas, events and arts of Western and world culture that have influenced people and led to the creation of modernism and contemporary globalism. We look at the development of Western culture from a variety of perspectives. Our aim is to develop an understanding of the significant values, institutions and attitudes that have contributed to producing the complex global culture we share today. During 2A, we consider the Post-Reformation transformations of Europe, as well as the extension of new concepts of liberty and reform alongside practices of colonial oppression and exploitation. The rise of the middle and working classes as a reaction against the aristocracy, and intellectual changes spawned by mathematical rationalism and scientific empiricism in its many contexts direct the new ideas of politics and economics.