Even in the early phase of this overseas expansion (16th and 17th centuries), an entire continent, South America, was colonized by Europeans, and North America, the areas of the present-day United States and Canada, followed soon after (from the 17th century). Globe-spanning trade routes brought vast wealth back to Europe, transforming its economy and society and laying the foundations for European dominance on a world-wide scale. Where explorers went, merchants, conquerors and settlers followed. This would powered unparalleled technological advance, and with it, economic growth.Īt the same time, European explorers began charting the coasts of the Oceans of the world, and penetrating lands previously unknown to Europeans. During this period a distinct and rigorous way of looking at the world, which today we call “science”, emerged. The Italian Renaissance led to new learning, and increased curiosity. Trade expanded, towns grew, printing came into use and gunpowder armies caused feudal power structures gave way to centralized monarchies. Added to these elements were major Indian, Chinese, and Arabian achievements in science and technology, transmitted to Europe via the Islamic world and the Mongol empire.įrom the early 15th century, European society was transformed by a succession of revolutionary changes. The religion of Christianity, deriving from the Middle East but absorbed into the Graeco-Roman civilization, constituted one of the great pillars of the medieval and modern West. Greek achievements in mathematics, science, philosophy and art, and Roman developments in law, government and technology, all had a deep impact on later European civilization. The mixed ancestry of Western civilization gave it a rich heritage to draw on. It spread from Europe to the North and South America, Australasia and much of the rest of the world it achieved a level of economic power which far surpassed that of any other civilization it developed the habit of systematic scientific and technological advance and it evolved a unique set of personal freedoms which gave its culture an utterly different flavor to anything that had come before. It was in the modern era that Western civilization took flight, however. It took shape in medieval Europe, with its Christian religion, feudal society, dispersed power-structures and growing economic dynamism. Its roots lay in the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome (which themselves built on foundations laid in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia).

Contentsįor the purposes of this article, the “West” is that civilization which grew up in western Europe after the end of the Roman Empire. As it grew geographically scope, it became an increasingly dominant strand in world history – to the extent that the histories of every civilization and region of the world was impacted by it in a profound way. Western civilization arose in Europe, and then spread across the world.

The period during which the degree requirements set forth in this catalog shall remain in effect, subject to changes provided herein, shall not exceed five (5) years from the beginning of the Fall 2015 academic term, two (2) years for technical certificates.This article offers a brief survey of Western civilization from early modern times (15th-16th centuries) onwards. Enrollment of all students is subject to these conditions. These changes will govern current and formerly enrolled students. This catalog is not intended to state contractual terms and does not constitute a contract between the student and Chattanooga State.Ĭhattanooga State reserves the right to make changes as required in course offerings, curricula, academic policies and other rules and regulations affecting students, to be affective whenever determined by the institution. However, adequate and reasonable notice will be given to students affected by any changes.

This catalog presents the offerings and requirements in effect at the time of publication, but makes no guarantee that they will not be changed or revoked. The course offerings and requirements of Chattanooga State are continually under examination and revision.

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