This course provides a comprehensive overview of core concepts in Western Civilization through around 1648, although we will go past 1648 in some areas to understand topics and transitions. Emphasis is placed on The Roots of Western Civilization: The Ancient Middle East to the Sixth Century B.C.E; The Contest for Excellence: Greece, 2000-338 B.C.E.; The Poleis Become Cosmopolitan: The Hellenistic World, 336-150 B.C.E.; Pride in Family and City: Rome from Its Origins Through the Republic, 753-44 B.C.E.; Territorial and Christian Empires: The Roman Empire, 31 B.C.E. to 410 C.E.; A World Divided: Western Kingdoms, Byzantium, and the Islamic World, ca. 376-1000; The Struggle to Bring Order: The Early Middle Ages, ca. 750-1000; Order Restored: The High Middle Ages, 1000-1300; The West Struggles and Eastern Empires Flourish: The Late Middle Ages, ca. 1300-1500; A New Spirit in the West: The Renaissance, ca. 1300-1640; "Alone Before God": Religious Reform and Warfare 1500-1648; Faith, Fortune, and Fame: European Expansion, 1450-1700; The Struggle for Survival and Sovereignty: Europe's Social and Political Order, 1600-1715; and A New World of Reason and Reform: The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, 1600-1800. Students will be given a basic understanding of world events, and students will be able to analyze political, religious, and cultural developments in early western civilization.