Comparative Civilizations 12 is a course designed to give students an understanding and knowledge of the accomplishments of past civilizations. This course will examine key individuals and the beliefs and values of European, Asian, African, and Meso-American civilizations that have greatly influenced the world. Topics will include achievements in such disciplines as art, architecture, philosophy, religion, technology, and history. This course will examine both European and non-European civilizations. Possible areas of investigation include: The Origins of Humans, Egypt of the Pharaohs, Classical Greece, Imperial Rome, Dark Ages/Age of Chivalry, The Renaissance, The Age of Exploration, The Enlightenment, The Emperors of China, Ancient India, Feudal Japan, Early Islamic Civilization, Ancient Persia, The Byzantine Empire, The Ottoman Empire, The Meso-American cultures of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. It is expected that students in Comparative Civilizations 12 will study in detail at least four of the civilizations featured in the list above. This course does not have a government exam, however, there are two demanding research projects and an in class final exam.
Comparative Civilizations 12 builds on the foundation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students gain in social studies from Kindergarten through Grade 11. In addition, it integrates elements from a variety of other subject areas, particularly the humanities.
This course focuses on the study of the interrelationships among art, culture, and civilization. For the purpose of this curriculum, the terms art and artworks are used in the broadest sense to include literature and the applied and fine arts; culture is the way of life of a given group of people; and civilization is the synthesis of a characteristic set of works of art, beliefs, institutions, and ways of living of people in a specific time and place.
The Comparative Civilizations 12 curriculum provides students with a range of experiences and skills that facilitate their understanding of, and sensitivity to, a variety of cultures. It fosters students' awareness of various civilizations throughout the world and their contributions to the sum of human experience. Students develop an appreciation for diversity within and among cultures, including their own.
In Comparative Civilizations 12, students are encouraged to acquire the following knowledge, skills, and attitudes:
KNOWLEDGE
- study and compare various past and contemporary cultures and civilizations by analyzing political, social, economic, and cultural structures
- examine elements of culture such as belief systems, daily life, gender roles, and power and authority
- understand the basic concepts of art, culture, and civilizations and their relationship to each other
SKILLS
- examine basic approaches to aesthetic inquiry
- extend critical-thinking skills and methods for analyzing information from civilizations past and present
create a persuasive argument and defend a point of view
assess the validity of evidence
recognize bias and ethnocentrism
recognize the meanings of key ideas (e.g., beauty, etiquette, justice, time) vary with the cultural context
- understand the application of comparative civilization studies in various career contexts, including museums, mass media, politics, and education
ATTITUDES
- acquire an appreciation for the arts
- develop an open-mindedness based on their understanding of various cultures, past and present
- broaden their perspectives, from a study of world cultural history, to think and act as world citizens
Comparative Civilizations 12 builds on the foundation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students gain in social studies from Kindergarten through Grade 11. In addition, it integrates elements from a variety of other subject areas, particularly the humanities.
This course focuses on the study of the interrelationships among art, culture, and civilization. For the purpose of this curriculum, the terms art and artworks are used in the broadest sense to include literature and the applied and fine arts; culture is the way of life of a given group of people; and civilization is the synthesis of a characteristic set of works of art, beliefs, institutions, and ways of living of people in a specific time and place.
The Comparative Civilizations 12 curriculum provides students with a range of experiences and skills that facilitate their understanding of, and sensitivity to, a variety of cultures. It fosters students' awareness of various civilizations throughout the world and their contributions to the sum of human experience. Students develop an appreciation for diversity within and among cultures, including their own.
In Comparative Civilizations 12, students are encouraged to acquire the following knowledge, skills, and attitudes:
KNOWLEDGE
- study and compare various past and contemporary cultures and civilizations by analyzing political, social, economic, and cultural structures
- examine elements of culture such as belief systems, daily life, gender roles, and power and authority
- understand the basic concepts of art, culture, and civilizations and their relationship to each other
SKILLS
- examine basic approaches to aesthetic inquiry
- extend critical-thinking skills and methods for analyzing information from civilizations past and present
create a persuasive argument and defend a point of view
assess the validity of evidence
recognize bias and ethnocentrism
recognize the meanings of key ideas (e.g., beauty, etiquette, justice, time) vary with the cultural context
- understand the application of comparative civilization studies in various career contexts, including museums, mass media, politics, and education
ATTITUDES
- acquire an appreciation for the arts
- develop an open-mindedness based on their understanding of various cultures, past and present
- broaden their perspectives, from a study of world cultural history, to think and act as world citizens
PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES
It is expected that students will:
It is expected that students will:
Research and Presentation Skills
Apply research skills – including accessing information, collecting and evaluating data, organizing information, and citing sources – to interpret, evaluate, and apply information from artifacts, oral tradition, and other primary and secondary sources.
Apply critical thinking skills – including questioning, comparing, summarizing, and drawing conclusions – to generate and defend a position on a selected civilization.
Communicate their knowledge and understanding about civilizations by using effective written, oral, and graphic communication skills.
Foundations of Civilization
Describe concepts that define the study of civilizations.
Analyze elements and characteristics that contribute to the identity of civilizations, including
− structures of power and authority
− belief systems incorporated into daily activities
− systems of social organization
− conflict, war, and conquest
− influence of the natural environment
− methods of cultural transmission over time
Culture and the Arts
Analyze how the arts express civilizations’ cultural elements, including:
− belief systems
− social organization
− language
− power and authority
− order and harmony
− archetypes
Culture and Values
Evaluate the components of value systems within and among cultures, including:
− religion and mythology
− morals and ethics
− heroes and role models
− philosophical viewpoints
Analyze the diverse values and beliefs of civilizations.
