Examining Western Civilization

Please note, applications have closed for this seminar. Why did science, democracy, capitalism, and other essential aspects of modernity develop only in the West? This course, daring to ask the politically incorrect question, will provide answers and take participants on a captivating journey from ancient Greece to today, unraveling the unique path of Western civilization.

The course will explore how the ancient Greeks developed an advanced culture that produced philosophy, drama, and athletic competition. Full direct democracy was an achievement of the Greeks but led to its downfall due to factionalization. We will explore the Roman republican solution to the Greeks’ failures. During the fourth century, Rome adopted Christianity as its official religion and merged Christianity’s Jewish traditions into the empire’s Greco-Roman ethos. The Western empire fell to a series of Germanic tribal invasions, with Rome collapsing in AD 476. Post-Roman West was a time of significant cultural and societal innovation and technology. The fall of Rome unleashed progressive changes, enabling excessive, small-scale social experimentation.

We will explore how Western Christianity initiated modern experimental science and capitalism in northern Italy through belief in a rational God who created an ordered universe that could be studied. With the tremendous wealth pouring into Italy, the Renaissance flourished. Experimental science continued to develop from the High Middle Ages and Renaissance into the Scientific Revolution, which was more like an acceleration than an actual upheaval. Politically and intellectually, Europe entered the Age of Enlightenment. People began to gradually bring their understanding of the rational order in the universe beyond capitalism and science into their governments and human society. Their knowledge of the universe’s natural order allowed them to focus less on the natural duties of humans to the natural rights, as expressed in the American Declaration of Independence.

For their field study, teachers will explore three exquisite art collections located in Philadelphia, starting with the nearly 1,000-year-old collection of paintings, objects, arms and armor at the Philadelphia Art Museum. Just down the Parkway is the Rodin Museum, with its 150 sculptures by Auguste Rodin in an intimate setting of a Beaux-Arts-style building surrounded by stunning gardens. Finally, participants will end their field experience at the Barnes Foundation where among the impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern paintings are superb examples of medieval religious art that offers insight into Western Civilization and values.

Thanks to a generous donor, Founding Forward will provide a $150 stipend to every accepted teacher to help offset expenses related to attending a summer professional development seminar, workshop, or summer in 2025. Upon completion of the program, teachers will receive a $150 check to help cover travel, childcare, or any other expenses they might incur. 

Accepted teachers receive a scholarship to attend the program, which covers the cost of the program, hotel room, program materials, site visits, most meals, and more.

Graduate credit will be offered by La Salle University. Pennsylvania teachers will receive Act 48 credit for this seminar.