Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Western Civilization

Erscheinungsjahr 2000
ISBN: 978-0-07-237155-0
Verlag: McGraw-Hill Education

Buch, Englisch, 504 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 236 mm, Gewicht: 553 g

This debate style reader is designed to introduce students to controversies in western civilizations. The readings, which represent the arguments of leading historians and researchers, reflect a variety of viewpoints and have been selected for their liveliness and substance and because of their value in a debate framework. This new title will be a beneficial tool to encourage critical thinking on important issues in western civilizations.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mitchell, Joseph

Mitchell, Helen Buss

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Weltgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Europäische Länder
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

PART 1. The Classical WorldISSUE 1. Was a Slave Society Essential to the Development of Athenian Democracy?YES: Orlando Patterson, from Freedom, vol. 1: Freedom in the Making of Western CultureNO: Donald Kagan, from Pericles of Athens and the Birth of DemocracySociology professor Orlando Patterson states that the presence of a large slave population was a necessary ingredient in the development of Athenian democracy. History professor Donald Kagan maintains that Athenian democracy developed gradually over three centuries and the leadership of Pericles was crucial to its success.ISSUE 2. Does Alexander the Great Merit His Exalted Historical Reputation?YES: N. G. L. Hammond, from The Genius of Alexander the GreatNO: E. E. Rice, from Alexander the GreatProfessor emeritus of Greek N. G. L. Hammond states that research has proven that Alexander the Great is deserving of his esteemed historical reputation. Senior research fellow and lecturer E. E. Rice maintains that, other than his conquests, Alexander the Great left few tangible legacies to merit his exalted historical reputation.ISSUE 3. Did Christianity Liberate Women?YES: Karen Jo Torjesen, from When Women Were PriestsNO: Karen Armstrong, from The Gospel According to Woman: Christianity's Creation of the Sex War in the WestProfessor of religion and associate of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Karen Jo Torjesen, presents evidence of women deacons, priests, prophets, and bishops during the first millennium of Christianity--all roles that suggest both equality and liberation for women. Professor of religious studies Karen Armstrong finds in the early Christian Church examples of hostility toward women and fear of their sexual power which she contends led to the exclusion of women from full participation in a male-dominated church.ISSUE 4. Did the Roman Empire Collapse Due to Its Own Weight?YES: Averil Cameron, from The Later Roman Empire: A.D. 284-430NO: Derek Williams, from Romans and Barbarians: Four Views from the Empire's Edge, First Century A.D.Historian Averil Cameron states that, although the barbarian invasions played a role in the demise of the Roman Empire, internal political, social, and economic problems were primarily responsible for its fall. Writer Derek Williams counters that the barbarian tribes, once Rome's allies, were principally liable for the empire's fall.ISSUE 5. Did Same-Sex Unions Exist in the Early Middle Ages?YES: John Boswell, from Same-Sex Unions in Premodern EuropeNO: Philip Lyndon Reynolds, from "Same-Sex Unions: What Boswell Didn't Find," The Christian CenturyYale University history professor John Boswell states that same-sex unions, which date back to pagan times, existed in medieval Europe until they were gradually done away with by the Christian Church. Reviewer Philip Lyndon Reynolds, while admitting that "brotherhood" ceremonies took place in medieval Europe, asserts that these ceremonies did not have the same authority as sacred unions and therefore cannot be equated with marriage rites.PART 2. The Medieval/Renaissance WorldsISSUE 6. Were the Crusades Motivated Primarily by Religious Factors?YES: Hans Eberhard Mayer, from The Crusades, 2d ed., trans. John GillinghamNO: Ronald C. Finucane, from Soldiers of the Faith: Crusaders and Moslems at WarGerman historian Hans Eberhard Mayer states that although there were other factors important to the development of the Crusades, the strongest motivation was a religious one. British historian Ronald C. Finucane counters that although the religious influence on the Crusad