western civilization

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Near Eastern Origins of
Western Civilization
Adam J. Ensign
Renmin University
Spring 2023
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On the nature of this course:
An advanced English practicum
Exploring the human experience through the
cultural heritage of the Ancient Near East
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Section I: Introduction to Western
Civilization
Reading: Spielvogel, pp. xxix-xxx
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What is Civilization? (Spielvogel, pp. xxix-
xxx)
emerged 5,000-6,000 years ago
organized communities
distinct structures: political, military,
economic, social, etc.
important activities: religious,
intellectual (educational/literary),
artistic, commercial, etc.
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What is Civilization?
“1 a : a relatively high level of cultural
and technological development;
specifically : the stage of cultural
development at which writing and the
keeping of written records is attained
b : the culture characteristic of a
particular time or place <the impact of
European civilization on the lands they
colonized>”
"Civilization," on Merriam-Webster: Dictionary, accessed February 18, 2017, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/civilization. AdamJ. Ensign, 2023
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What is Civilization?
“2 : the process of becoming civilized
<civilization is a slow process with many
failures and setbacks>
3 a : refinement of thought, manners, or
taste <exhibiting a high level of civilization>
b : a situation of urban comfort <Our
African safari was quite interesting, but it
was great to get back to civilization.>"
"Civilization," on Merriam-Webster: Dictionary, accessed February 18, 2017, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/civilization.
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What is Civilization?
*“1 a : a relatively high level of cultural
and technological development;
specifically : the stage of cultural
development at which writing and the
keeping of written records is attained
*b : the culture characteristic of a
particular time or place <the impact of
European civilization on the lands they
colonized>”
"Civilization," on Merriam-Webster: Dictionary, accessed February 18, 2017,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization. AdamJ. Ensign, 2023
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Writing: An Impetus of Development
sar [WRITE] "to write” ; Akk. šaţāru
(277x: ED IIIb, Old Akkadian, Lagash II, Ur III, Early Old Babylonian, Old Babylonian) wr. sar; sarar
“sar [WRITE],” Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary Project, Babylonian Section, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and
Archaeology, last updated June 26, 2006, accessed February 17, 2019, http://psd.museum.upenn.edu/nepsd-frame.html, image:
http://psd.museum.upenn.edu/epsd/psl/img/popup/Ogfy.png.
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Writing: An Impetus of Development
How has writing been a stimulus for the
development of civilization?
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What is Civilization?
Note:
In using the word “civilization,” we are
not implying societies that do not share
the same cultural elements are valued
less, morally deficient, or somehow
inferior due to their lack of certain
societal, technological, or other features.
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What is Civilization? (Spielvogel, 5)
"A civilization is a complex culture in
which large numbers of human beings
share a variety of common elements."
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What is Civilization? (Spielvogel, 5)
Basic Characteristics:
1) urban focus
2) distinct religious structure
3) new political and military structures
4) new social structure based on economic
power
5) development of writing
6) new forms of significant artistic and
intellectual activity
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What is Western Civilization? (Spielvogel,
pp. xxix-xxx)
Associated with the continent of Europe
and European influenced regions (i.e.,
North America, Latin America)
Pre-4th
Century AD: Originated in the
various cultures of the Middle East (Near
East), North Africa, Greece, and Rome
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What is Western Civilization? (Spielvogel, pp.
xxix-xxx)
Post-4th
Century AD: Developed as a
separate identity with the rise of
Christianity
8th
-16th
Centuries AD: Contrasted with
other civilizations (i.e., Chinese, Indian,
Islamic, Mesoamerican, etc.)
Post-16th
Century AD: Solidified into a
distinct concept during the age of European
expansion and colonialism
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What is Western Civilization? (Spielvogel,
pp. xxix-xxx)
Evolving
societal and cultural development from
ancient to modern times
Diverse
spiritual (or religious) and scientific
paradigms (worldview)
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What is Tradition?
“1 a : an inherited, established, or
customary pattern of thought, action, or
behavior (such as a religious practice or a
social custom)
b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or
stories relating to the past that are
commonly accepted as historical though
not verifiable”
"Tradition," on Merriam-Webster: Dictionary, accessed February 18, 2017, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/tradition. AdamJ. Ensign, 2023
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What is Tradition?
“2 : the handing down of information,
beliefs, and customs by word of mouth
or by example from one generation to
another without written instruction
3 : cultural continuity in social attitudes,
customs, and institutions
4 : characteristic manner, method, or
style <in the best liberal tradition>”
"Tradition," on Merriam-Webster: Dictionary, accessed February 18, 2017, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/tradition.
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What is Tradition?
Societal Practices
Intellectual Habits
Literary Forms
Religious Systems
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Near East (proper noun)
A term originally applied to the Balkan
states of south-eastern Europe, but now
generally applied to the countries of
south-western Asia between the
Mediterranean and India (including the
Middle East), especially in historical
contexts.
“Near East,” Oxford Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, accessed February 19, 2019,
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/near_east.
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Video (duration 4:47)
Beth Harris and Steven Zucker, "Standing Male
Worshipper from Tell Asmar," on Khan
Academy, accessed March 19, 2017,
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/anci
ent-art-civilizations/ancient-near-
east1/sumerian/v/standing-male-worshipper
(also on Youtube, published September 18,
2014:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKMWS9q
J_1U, accessed February 26, 2018).
Updated Link (as of February 19, 2019):
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-
art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ancient-
near-east-a/v/standing-male-worshipper
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Supplemental Lexical Exercises:
Instructions
1. These exercises are derived from the
weekly readings shown in the syllabus.
2. Do the exercises before class each
week. The answers will be given in class.
3. Practice reading the sentences aloud at
least once or twice. Mr. Ensign may call
on you to read sentences aloud in class.
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Fill in the Blank (5 minutes)
Choose from the following vocabulary
items:
alabaster ancient dynastic emerged
administrative transitional continually
frontality votive naturalistic
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1) Almost 5,000 years ago, somebody carefully buried a small
group of alabaster figures in the floor of a temple.
2) The temple where these were buried was in a city in the
northern part of ancient Mesopotamia called Eshnunna, now
called Tell Asmar.
3) The figures from Tell Asmar are widely considered to be
the great expression of early dynastic Sumerian art.
4) At this time, the third millennium BCE, in this area
around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, some of the earliest
cities in the world emerged and writing emerged. This is a
watershed in human history.
5) The cities had administrative buildings, temples, palaces,
many of which have been unearthed by archeologists.
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6) This is the transitional period right after the Bronze Age, the tail end
of the Neolithic when civilizations are founded in the great river valleys
around the world.
7) An elite member of ancient Sumerian culture paid to have this
sculpture made and placed before the god to be a kind of stand-in to,
perhaps, continually offer prayers, to be continually attentive to the god.
8) His hands are clasped together, he stands erect, his shoulders are
broad so there is a sense of frontality.
9) In Egyptian culture, the sculptures primarily represent the pharaoh,
the king, and indicate his divinity, but, in the ancient Near East, instead
we have these votive images of worshipers but not so much of the kings.
10) You understand the artist's decision not to make a naturalistic figure
because a naturalistic figure before the god might give a sense of
someone just visiting, just passing through. But this idea of a static,
symmetrical, frontal, wide eyed figure gives a sense of timelessness, of a
figure that is forever offering prayers to the god.
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Exchanging Information
Mr. Ensign
mr_ensign_ruc@sina.com
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Classroom Expectations
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Classroom Expectations
Please note that some of these
expectations are for the physical
classroom. When we return to
Renmin University and resume
normal classes, please be aware of
these expectations. Some of the
relevant issues for live streaming will
be especially highlighted today.
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Classroom Expectations
Arrive early or on time. (Join the live
stream early or on time.)
Be quiet when the teacher or
another student is speaking. (You
will be muted during the online class
unless participation requires
otherwise.)
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Classroom Expectations
If you are late:
Enter the room quietly and take your
seat. (You do not need to ask for
permission at the door. Do not
interrupt the lecture.)
(If you are late to the stream, please
join as soon as possible.)
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Classroom Expectations
If you need to go to the bathroom:
Just go! 
(Same expectation as when late: Be
quiet as you leave and enter the
room.)
(The live stream will still be here
when you return!) 
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Classroom Expectations
If you are absent:
Absences may be officially excused
with a formal request (请假条).
As per university policy, five
unexcused absences will result in
losing your eligibility to take the
final exam. (Spring 2021 = 4)
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Classroom Expectations
Respect other people’s beliefs and
opinions.
Be respectful of the diversity of thought
and life experiences.
It’s ok to have controversy. (It’s ok if we
disagree.)
Disagree in a respectful way.
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⼦⽈：「君⼦和⽽不同，⼩⼈同⽽
不和。」
13.23 The Master said, “The
superior man (junzi) acts in harmony
with others but does not seek to be
like them; the inferior man (xiaoren)
seeks to be like others and does not
act in harmony.”
Adapted from Robert Eno, The Analects of Confucius: An O nline Teaching Translation, 2015, on Indiana U niversity, accessed Septem ber 10, 2017,
http://www.indiana.edu/~p374/Analects_of_Confucius_(Eno-2015).pdf.
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Classroom Expectations
It’s ok to say:
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t understand. Could you please
explain?”
“Could you please say that again?”
“Could you please say that slowly?”
“Could you please explain that word?”
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Classroom Expectations: Academic Integrity
Avoid plagiarism.
Protect your own work. (Do not let
others copy.)
Respect other people’s work. (Do not
copy.)
Properly cite (reference) materials in
your papers and presentations.
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Classroom Expectations
Approaching a teacher’s desk: Please
come and stand in front of the desk. Do
not go behind the desk unless invited to
do so.
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Classroom Expectations
Use discretion with mobile devices.
Do not text or use your phone during class.
No earphones, games, movies, etc.
Set your phone to silent or airplane mode.
(Please pay attention during the live stream.)
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Classroom Expectations
No eating during class.
Clean up your trash.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
Respect the janitorial staff.
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Classroom Expectations
On rainy days, do not leave umbrellas in
the hallway. (Hang umbrellas on the
hooks provided.)
In case of emergency (fire, etc.), walk
calmly and orderly to the nearest EXIT.
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Classroom Expectations
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Homework
Check the class WeChat for materials.
Read the syllabus
Read: Spielvogel, xxix-xxx, Spielvogel, 1-15
(recommended reading) “Our Responsibility to
Protect Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones” by
James Cuno
(recommended reading) “Households and the
Emergence of Cities in Ancient Mesopotamia”
by Jason Ur AdamJ. Ensign, 2023
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