Western Civilization
This course is a survey of Western Civilization. The fall semester will begin in Ancient Greece and travel through history until roughly the seventeenth-century. The spring semester will begin with the American and French Revolutions and travel through history until roughly the Cold War Era. Students may register for the full year course or for either semester as a stand-alone class. Although this is a survey it is important that we examine the primary sources. We will not simply learn names and dates, but rather how Western civilization was formed ideologically through philosophy, theology, politics, et cetera. The secondary source or textbook will be used to create a canvas for the historical landscape needed to root the issues and ideas we discuss and write about within the primary sources.
Fall Semester:
Readings will include, but are not limited to: Plato’s Trial and Death of Socrates, Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, Dante’s Inferno, as well excerpts from Boccaccio’s Decameron, and Luther’s Three Treatises.
Spring Semester:
Readings will include, but are not limited to: Voltaire’s Candide, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and George Orwell’s Animal Farm, as well excerpts from Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the French Revolution and Leo Tolstoy.
Dual Enrollment:
This course may be taken either as a high school level history class or for dual enrollment credit through the University of St. Katherine. High school students taking the course for dual enrollment credit will have additional reading and writing assignments and upon completion the University will issue the student a transcript with 3 college credits per semester. USK credits are transferable to other colleges and universities.
"This is my son's favorite class. I’ve seen his discussion and writing abilities grow so much with this class. Thank you!" -- Carla E., Washington
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Chris Butynskyi, Ph.D.
chrisbutynskyi.clrc@gmail.com
Age Level: 14 – Adult
Grade Level: 9 and above
Minimum Enrollment Required: 4
Maximum Class Size: 12
Tuition per Semester--Regular Enrollment: $370
Tuition per Semester--Dual Enrollment: $570
Early Registration Discount (before June 1): 10% off!
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Class Meets: Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific
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Click Here to see the 2021-22 Class Schedule
Fall '21 - Spring '22 Registration is Open!
(If you would like to enroll in this class but cannot attend at the posted time, please contact us. We may be able to open an additional section.)
Problems Registering? Click here for help.
Chris Butynskyi, Ph.D.
Chris Butynskyi is professor of European history with over ten years of experience teaching in higher education. He holds an M.A. in Early Modern Europe from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Country (UMBC) and a Ph.D. in Humanities from Faulkner University’s Great Books Honors College. Professor Butynskyi recently published his first book entitled The Inklings, the Victorians, and the Moderns: Reconciling Tradition in the Modern Age (FDUP, 2020). He contributes to academic journals, web-articles, book reviews, and podcasts. When he is not reading, writing, or watching sports, you can find him coaching or playing basketball, biking, and running. He currently resides in Macungie, PA with his wife and two children.
Textbooks for Fall Semester
Amazon links for textbooks and materials are provided for the convenience of our parents and students.
The CLRC is an Amazon Associate.
Western Civilization Vol.1
(This is an expensive text. If you are unable to find an inexpensive used copy there is also a rent option to reduce the cost.)
Textbooks for Spring Semester
Amazon links for textbooks and materials are provided for the convenience of our parents and students.
The CLRC is an Amazon Associate.