Fall 2025 OLLI Digital Catalog 

Rise of the Western World (F204-7)

F – Culture

Course introduces the major elements of Western civilization from the ancient world to the pre-Italian Renaissance, with special emphasis on the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions. It surveys the history of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East and explores the classical roots of modern civilization. We begin with the first civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, the roots of western religion in ancient Israel; then proceed through Bronze Age, archaic and classical Greece, the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world, the rise of Rome, and the fall of the Roman Empire and the coming of Christianity, and the history of medieval Europe.

View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.

INSTRUCTORS: Ann Kneavel, Charles Johnson

KNEAVEL, ANN — Ph.D., modern British literature, University of Ottawa; M.A., University of Maryland; B.A., Notre Dame of Maryland University. Retired college professor of writing, humanities, literature, philosophy. Interests include literature, languages and cultures.

JOHNSON, CHARLES — Retired associate professor, chair of arts and science and assistant dean, Goldey-Beacom College. Taught survey of western civilization courses for many years. Has traveled abroad extensively with family for pleasure as well as with students while leading educational for-credit trips. (F207, K204)

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