MMW 11 | Pre-History and Ancient Foundations

MMW 11 is the first course in Eleanor Roosevelt College’s five-course “Making of the Modern World” sequence. MMW11 provides an introduction to early human society and ancient civilizations, beginning in pre-history and then exploring the mythological, religious, philosophical, and socio-political foundations of four classical civilizations—ancient Middle East, China, India, and Greece. In each case study, MMW11 offers an introductory investigation of the relationship between the individual and the cosmos, the individual and the divine, and the individual and society, all the while focusing on the fundamental questions of what it means to be human and how that meaning has evolved over time. As such, our inquiry takes us beyond the superficial differences that set civilizations apart by examining the essential values, concerns, and aspirations we have in common. In addressing these issues, we will follow an interdisciplinary approach, exploring ways religious and ethical beliefs, for example, justified the political and social structures of each civilization, and how laws, taboos, myths, and socio-political institutions, in turn, reinforced the values and ideals of each tradition. Ultimately, we hope to learn from our ancient ancestors the many challenges that arise from living within a community, as well as from interacting with other communities. Along the way, we hope to gain a better understanding of what being human, in all our frailties and virtues, means.

Instructor

Instructor Name: Professor Edmond Chang

Instructor Title/Department: Lecturer/Making of the Modern World (MMW) Program

Email: e6chang@ucsd.edu

Weekly Readings and Assignments

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Week 10

Finals Week