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This course begins with a consideration of the idea of history itself, followed by a look at the basis for comparing and critiquing civilizations. We rely upon the great Catholic historian, Christopher Dawson especially. We then turn to a survey of the great civilizations of world history with the particular goals in mind of assessing them on the grounds we have established and comparing them to our own tradition. Even as the course seeks to discover universal lessons about human nature and societies, it will find ways to better understand the particular value, idiosyncrasies, and meaning of Western Christian Civilization. Keeping the West as the students' point of reference is of fundamental importance for engendering in the students a proper love of their own culture--that they may conserve its achievements, better its faults, and relish its traditions--even as they appreciate the cultures and stories of other peoples.
This course may be taken as a stand alone, but is crafted to integrate best with Great Books 5: Return to Tradition