Philadelphia University
Faculty of Arts
Department of Human and social sciences
First semester, 2010/2011
Course Title: human thought & civilisation
Course Level: University Requirement
Lecture Time: 2.15-3.30
Course code: 111133
Course prerequisite (s) and/or corequisite (s):
Credit hours: 3
Name
Dr. Iman Ibrahim
Rank
Assistant
Professor
Academic Staff Specifics
Office Number
& Location
Office
Hours
31405
Sun, Tue,
Thu:
12:00-1:00
Mon,
Wed:
12:45-2:15
E-mail Address i_brahim@philadelphia.edu.jo
Course module description:
The course offers an overview of world civilizations and the landmark developments in the history of human thought, with special emphasis on intercultural exchange and interaction between world civilizations. This first course on the subject deals in particular, with Eastern and Arab-Islamic civilizations and discusses their most significant achievements in the different interactive spheres: material, social, political, spiritual, religious etc. It also introduces the students to some of the most influential theories on the emergence and development of human civilization. The course is organized around topics and themes whose treatment cuts through the various civilizations under focus.
Course module objectives:
The course amis to:
Develop the students analytic and critical abilities and widen their intellectual perspective.
Promote understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment.
Encourage the adoption of inclusive perspectives emphasizing cultural diversity within universal unity.
Promote attitudes that emphasize Tolerance and multiculturism.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course, the students are expected to be able to:
Knowledge and understanding.
Display critical and analytic skills in dealing with human civilization
Analyze the accumulative nature of civilization and the way civilizations interact with and feed into each other.
Display the major achievements of ancient civilizations.
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Analyze and evaluate trends of contemporary Arab thought and culture.
Cognitive skills (thinking analysis)
Express ideas and opinions that reflect intellectual consciousness and cultural awareness.
Recognize and explain the mutual relationship between material aspects of the our world and the intellectual and cultural aspects.
Communication Skills (personal and academic)
Show readiness and ability to exchange ideas with others and express respect to different perspectives.
To display team spirit and contribute to collective efforts.
Practical and subject specific skill (Transferable Skills)
Display insight and take an active role in dealing with global and national challenges.
Reflect political and cultural sensitivity as to the process of social comprehensive development.
To reconcile local cultural specifics with universal values.
Assessment instruments

Short reports and/or presentations, and/or Short research projects.

Quizzes.

Home works

Final examination: 50 marks
Allocation of Marks
Assessment Instruments
First examination
Second examination
Final examination
Reports, research projects, Quizzes, Home works, projects
Mark
15
15
50
20
Total
Documentation and academic honesty

Documentation style (with illustrative examples)
University of London, citation style:
Family name, Initial, Title, Publisher, Place and date, p

Protection by copyright

Avoiding plagiarism.
100
Course/module academic calendar week Basic and support material to be covered
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
First examination
(7)
- Analyzing the central concepts of culture and civilization.
- The development of human society.
- Analyzing the central concepts of culture and civilization.
- The development of human society.
- Theories of civilization: Shpingler Toynby
- Theories of civilization:
- Historical Materialism, Ibn Khaldoun
- Interaction between civilizations.
- Mythology and religion.
- Mythology and religion in ancient civilizations.
- Hinduism.
- Taoism.
- Confucianism
- Monotheistic religions.
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(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
Second examination
(12)
(13)
(14)
- Arab/Islamic contribution to the human civilization.
- Islam and the Arabs: changes and transformations.
- Features of political and administrative life in the Islamic state: AlKhalifah, Al-Dawawin, Judicial system.
- Scientific and intellectual life.
- Development of sciences, applied sciences
- Philosophy
- Literature and arts.
- Sects
- Arab/Islamic civilization and its interaction with other civilization.
- Main currents in intellectual activities in modern era:
- Figures of Arab enlightenment: Al-Tahtawi, Al-Afagani,
Mohammad Abduhm Al-Kawakeby, Qasim Amin.
- Intellectual Streams and trends of Arab renaissance.
- Contemporary thoughts in the Arab world:
- Islamic trends.
- Socialism.
- Liberalism.
- Arab Nationalism
(15)
Specimen examination
(Optional)
(16)
Final Examination
- Globalization and universalism
- Economic globalization
- Political globalization.
- Social globalization and Cultural globalization.
Expected workload:
On average students need to spend 2 hours of study and preparation for each 50-minute lecture/tutorial.
Attendance policy:
Absence from lectures and/or tutorials shall not exceed 15%. Students who exceed the 15% limit without a medical or emergency excuse acceptable to and approved by the Dean of the relevant college/faculty shall not be allowed to take the final examination and shall receive a mark of zero for the course. If the excuse is approved by the Dean, the student shall be considered to have withdrawn from the course.
Exams Dates:
First exam 29/11/2010
Second exam 29/12/2010
Final exam ---
Module references
Books
Bryan Magee, Story of Philosophy
Bearls Alan, Culture in process, 1967.
Khan, Mohammad Sharif, Salim Mohammad Anuar, Philosophy, Islamic Philosophers, 1994.
Oliver Leaman, Medieval Islamic Philosophy, 1992.
In addition to the above, the students will be provided with handouts by the lecturer.
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