Meaning of Classicism Discussion Template
I.
Intro/Conclusion
1. Can you think of any modern examples of how religion could be used to legitimize a
government, shape a class structure, and guide the arts?
2. Define Classicism:
3. Describe the characteristics of a civilization’s Golden Age:
4. What is the relationship between religions/philosophies and a peaceful, successful
society that is able to reach its’ Golden Age?
5. What does this passage mean to you? “social classes evolved into hierarchies of power,
prestige, and wealth”
6. Appeal of Societies:
a. Why would these classical societies appeal to outsiders?
b. Would they appeal to you?
II.
Classical Greek Civilization
1. Identify Defining Characteristic:
2. Describe Rationalism and its importance:
3. Pericles’ Speech, Propaganda or Truth? Why?:
4. How did the Phalanx compare to Greek Democracy?
5. How did the Greek gods act as a giant self-help manual for the Greek people?
III.
Classical Roman Civilization
1. Identify Defining Characteristics (2):
2. Who do you think will prove to be more true to their ideas, the Romans concept of
justice and human rights, or the Greeks concept of freedom? Why?
3. How did the message of Jesus differ from Roman law and Judaic Law?
4. How did the organization of the Christian church reflect the organization of the Roman
Government?
IV.
Classical Chinese Imperial Civilization
1. Defining Characteristics (3):
2. Why would the Chinese view of dead ancestors “providing a link to the gods” make their
family structures more important to them?
3. Western dualism vs. Eastern Dualism:
a. Explain the difference between Western Dualism and Eastern Dualism:
b. Which do you like more? Why?
4. If everyone in society followed the five key relationships perfectly, would that society
still need laws? Why or Why not?
5. Confucian China
a. Do you think it was realistic for Confucian China to believe that warfare was a
failure of the Confucian System?
b. Could this belief lead to weakness?
6. Why would a Taoist argue that big government was bad?
7. In what ways would a Confucian trained scholar-bureaucrat be a better government
worker than someone who inherited their position in government due to the family they
were born into?
V.
Classical Indian Civilization
1. Identify Defining Characteristic:
2. What is the most basic and enduring Religion in Indian Civilization?
a. What is Brahma?
b. Describe Dharma and Karma:
c. How are Dharma and Karma related?
3. If it promotes social order can you argue that the caste system is a good thing for Indian
society? Why or why not?
4. In what ways are Buddhism and Christianity similar?
5. How did the Caste system continually disrupt Empire building in India?