What are some of the models proposed to explain the rise, decline, interaction, and transformation of civilizations?
What is a civilization? What are some of the models proposed to explain the rise, decline, interaction, and transformation of civilizations?
Today those Muslims who argue that Islam can provide the foundation for a dynamic 21st century society look to the accomplishments of the past. For over six centuries the lands of Islam led the world in creative intellectual activity. The world’s oldest university, al-Azhar, opened in Cairo in 969 C.E. They acknowledge, however, that the question of the decline of scientific and cultural achievement must also be addressed. The civilization which once integrated the best of ancient Greece, Persia, and India has become defensive and insular. Along with the brilliant achievements of Islamic civilization at its zenith in art, literature, and the sciences we will consider the theories posed by scholars to explain the decline. Can Islam provide the foundation for a vibrant 21st century civilization? Cultural or Historical Analysis
The course description says that we will investigate the achievements of Islamic civilization at its zenith, theories used to explain its rise and decline, and whether Islam can provide the foundation for a vibrant 21st century civilization.
Questions to consider:
What is a civilization?
What are some of the models proposed to explain the rise, decline, interaction, and transformation of civilizations?
RESOURCES FOR UNIT II
Civilizational Analysis and Globalization Theory
Civilizations or Globalization(s)? Intellectual Rapprochements and Historic- Visions
Author: David Inglis
Source: European Journal of Social Theory 2010 13: 135-153
File= CIVILIZATION David Inglis Civilizations or Globalizations.pdf
The Civilizational Model of World History and the Challenge of the Global watch online
March 22, 201 lecture by Dr. Sucheta Mazumdar at Pitt University (1 hr 13 min)
Posted online at:
http://mediasite.cidde.pitt.edu/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=77f6ef3ae3804d499ca2cf91ddd9da2f
Western Civilization or World History: A True Dilemma?
Author: Louis K. Voskuil
Source: Pro Rege, June 2000, pp.11-21
File= CIVILIZATION western history or world history
Repositioning ‘Islamdom’ The Culture–Power Syndrome within a
Transcivilizational Ecumene
Author: Armando Salvatore
Source: European Journal of Social Theory 13(1), pp. 99-115
File =CIVILIZATION Armando Salvatore Repositioning Islam
Axial civilizations, multiple modernities, and Islam
Author: S.A. Arjomand
Source: 2011 11: 327 Journal of Classical Sociology
File = CIVILIZATION Arjomand Axial civilizations and Islam
The Clash of Civilizations?
Author(s): Samuel P. Huntington
Source: Foreign Affairs,Vol. 72, No. 3 (Summer, 1993), pp. 22-49:
File= CIVILIZATION Samuel Huntington Clash of Civilizations
