Western Civilization

Jillian Kurzmann 2/28/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we prayed for a group of people who were shot in a church. We also watched some more of the video by Hank Greene. We had brief discussions about Deja vu. Mr. Schick told us a story about a homeless man that he helped in Chicago, who was freezing. Metaphysics- the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of reality. Epistemology- the branch of philosophy that studies the natures and scope of knowledge. Value Theory Ethics- the branch of philosophy that studies and evaluates human conduct. Aestetics- the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of beauty Synchronicity- connecting time for a random reason. Deja vu- already seen. From French language. 

Jillian Kurzmann 2/26/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we discussed how during every prayer, we are going to acknowledge the victims of mass school shootings. We also have a chart to fill out while we read the list of all of the shootings going back to 2003. We also watched parts of a video and took notes. While watching the video, had mini discussions between certain parts and shared our opinions on things. Philosophy is what is the reality of life itself? Why do you what you do? Why do you think what you think? Why do you feel what you feel? Mythos= Storytelling and Philos= Science. Philosophia (noun) is the love of wisdom. Philosophy (noun) is the academic study of anything. Plato's Academy versus Aristotle's Lyceum. Philosophy came to be understood more as a way of thinking about questions. What is the world like? Is the world just made up of matter and energy or is there something more.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/24/28 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Sydney brought in doughnut holes. We also discussed the we will be having a project due on the 12th of March. The project is either build something, cook something, or etc. If you are cooking or building something, you need to make a video to record proof what you are building and that you built it. We also need to write a paper about the item we built and some information about it. It is worth 200 points and is one of the only grade left this quarter. The rest of the class, we got into groups and worked on coming up with a topic for the project.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/22/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Kelsie brought in Red Velvet cookies. We also took more notes on Greece.  Socrates Looked to science and logic (not to the Gods) for explanations of how the world worked. The Socratic Method fostered critical thinking. "The unexamined life is not worth living". Socrates was charged with serious crimes: impiety (disrespecting the Gods), and corrupting the youth of Athens. At his trial, his described himself as a stinging gadfly, and Athens as a lazy old horse. Did not deny what he had done; asked for free dinners. Found guilty by Athenian jury, and sentenced to death by hemlock poison (nasty was to go). Plato Plato was a student and follower of Socrates. He wrote out Socrates' teaching, and described his trial in  Apology . Republic  was Socrates' discussion of justice and the ideal state- one of the most influential books on philosophy ever written.  Aristotle Aristotle wa...

Jillian Kurzmann 2/20/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes in the textbook. We also got our test back and reviewed them. We one down the rows and took turns reading the answers aloud. I already published my textbook notes on my previous blog. Mr. Schick rung the bells for everyone who got an A. We had a very laid back day in class today.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/16/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took a test. We also read some pages in the textbook. Pericles led Athens during most of its golden age. He held on to popular support for 32 years. He dominated Athens from 461-429 B.C. This is called the age of Pericles. He increased the number of public officials who were paid salaries. Most were unpaid. Only wealthy Athenian citizens could afford to hold public office. He changed it so now even the poorest citizens could serve if elected or chosen. Athens had more citizen engaged self-government than any other city-state in Greece. Direct Democracy- a form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives. This was important to Pericles. Some other city-states practiced this. Pericles made a speech honoring Athenians who died in war. Athens organized the Delian League.  Athens took leadership of it.  Pericles used the money for the navy. A strong navy ...

Jillian Kurzmann 2/15/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we reviewed for the test tomorrow. Chase also brought in food. We went over all of our notes. I also had discussions with others about how nervous they were for the math quiz. We also discussed how we have off on Monday due to President's Day. That made a lot of people happy. We talked about how long the test is. I have never taken a test with Mr. Schick before.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/13/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we watched a movie. We also will be having a test on Friday. Greeks destroyed other armies. Their warships ruled the seas. Thermacles, Pericles, and Socrates. Pandemonium ruled Athens. People turned on rulers. Clystanese was brought up to be a ruler. He saw that everyone should have freedom. He set Greeks on path to empire. Born around 570 B.C. He was told he was an aristocrat from a very young age. Aristocrats controlled everything. It seemed impossible that Athens would rule an empire. Built around acropolis. Reading and writing were rare. Life expectancy was 15 years. Commoners lived under aristocratic rule. Aristotle did not like it. Athens wasn't that strong. Greece doesn't have typical unity. Greece had mainly mountain ranges. Divided into city-states. Argos stood for over 1,000 years. Corinthians dominated trade. Sparta was ...

Jillian Kurzmann 2/12/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Kelsie rewrote the food schedule and Mr. Schick banged on his desk and scared everyone. We also discussed the Greek Gods and Goddesses some more. Zeus:  Ruler of Heaven and Earth; Father of Athena; God of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. Had a temper and was known to hurl thunderbolts. Athena  Goddess of skill, wisdom, warfare (and peace), intelligence, battle strategy, and handicrafts.  She was born from Zeus' head fully formed and armored. A special patron of heroes- such as Odysseus. She was the patron of Athens (the city was named after her). Apollo:  God of music, arts, knowledge, and healing. Zeus was his father, Artemis was his twin sister. He's associated with the sun and his sister with the moon. Poseidon: God of sea, rivers, earthquakes, and floods. Brother of Zeus, King of the sea and waters. Aphrodite:  Goddess of love, be...

Jillian Kurzmann 2/9/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we had a protest. I didn't really know why but, I followed along. The people who didn't follow along got shunned. Kelsie got silently screamed at for responding to the prayer. Ellie and a bunch of the other girls wrote things on the board. That was how they communicated with Mr. Schick. They also communicated by technology. Mr. Schick showed us pictures puppies and the mannequin challenge at John Carroll last year. Maddy was playing music such as: Lean and Dabb, We are the Champions, Eye of the Tiger, and many others. It was a pretty interesting class. I finished reading pages 127-133 and taking notes while the time went by. Ben was also shunned for talking along with Frankie. Ellie got very mad at Frankie. Maddy gave Mr. Schick a brownie and Mr. Schick found the whole ordeal very entertaining. Mr. Schick kept on trying to get us to talk. I found today's class very entertaining.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/6/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we discussed Greek Mythology. We also got in to the topic of how we shouldn't always trust what we believe. Citizens could participate- but only 1/5 of Athenians were citizens (free adult male property owners born in Athens).  After several years, Athens practiced a direct democracy.  It's where the state (or in this case, city-state), is ruled by its citizens. Rule is based on Citizenship. Majority rule decides vote.  In the Agora, citizens argued, made speeches, and voted with stones. White= Yes. Black= No. It was first practiced in Athens under Cleisthenes by around 500 BCE. What is unique about the Greeks' relationship with their Gods is the interaction with humans.  Poseidon (God of the Sea) interfered with Odysseus trying to return home. Aphrodite (Goddess of Love) had lovers of both Gods and men.  Dionysus (God of Wine) is the son of Zeus (a God) and of Semele (a human pri...

Jillian Kurzmann 2/5/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we worked on our class projects. I got caught up on my work and wrote a paragraph about Greece's lifestyle. We also had a two hour delay, due to the ice, which caused us to have a shorter class period. We talked about the Super Bowl and the halftime show. I personally didn't understand why they picked Justin Timberlake to perform. I also explained that I won $50 on betting on scores.

Jillian Kurzmann 2/1/18 Honors Western Civilization Today, I was not in class due to my illness. I will be blogging from slides 31-47 on the Powerpoint located on Veracross. What Cleisthenes did was a  huge step forward- getting "regular folks" involved in governing. But, this first democracy had its limits.  Citizens could participate- but only 1/5 of Athenians were citizens (free adult male property owners born in Athens).  After several years, Athens practiced a direct democracy.  It's where the state (or in this case, city-state), is ruled by its citizens. Rule is based on Citizenship. Majority rule decides vote.  In the Agora, citizens argued, made speeches, and voted with stones. White= Yes. Black= No. It was first practiced in Athens under Cleisthenes by around 500 BCE. What is unique about the Greeks' relationship with their Gods is the interaction with humans.  Poseidon (God of the Sea) interfered with Odysseus trying to return hom...