CHARACTERISTICS OF A CIVILIZATION

Introduction:Civilization is a complex way of life that came about as people began to develop urban settlements.

The earliest civilizations developed after the rise of agriculture (c3000 BCE). Agriculture provided human settlements with the ability to create, and maintain, astable food supply. This stable food source led to economic stabilitywhich resulted in the development of specialized skills and a diverse labor force.

The earliest civilizations arose in the Fertile Crescent, (modern day Iraq) and then in Egypt. Other largecivilizations appeared in the Indus Valley, China,and Central America. In the classical period, civilizations developed in the Mediterranean, Rome and Greece in particular.

The chart below breaks down the components of a civilization into specific categories. The categories listed are the ones which are commonly accepted as the minimum needed for a culture to be considered a civilization.

Assignment:Complete the table/chart to show how (or if) the cultures listed on the chart meet the criteria for civilization.
(Chart is attached in an Excel Spread sheet). You should fill in the boxes for the three listed ancient civilizations and for the modern United States. Be specific when you can: You must provide an example for any characteristic that you determine a culture has. For example, if you determined that a culture did have monumental architecture, you would name something created by that culture which would qualify (Example: Ancient Sumerians had Ziggurats).

Each box in the chart is worth 5 points for a total of 100 points.

Concluding Question: When you are done completing the chart, on the bottom of the chart answer the following question: According to this chart, does the United States count as a civilization - whyor why not? (Or in other words: do you live in a civilization?!)Not completing this question will drop you 5 points from the 100 points potential for this assignment.

CATEGORY
Population centers range in size from:
  • Large urban environments

  • Less urban areas support urban areas

Stable Food Supply
  • Food available regardless of urbanization

Specialized Labor broken down by:
  • Agricultural

  • Industrial

  • Mercantile

System of Government focused on:
  • National issues

  • Region Issues

  • Local Issues
Social Levels determined or influenced by:
  • Wealth

  • Occupation

  • Birth

Distinct Culture that includes:
  • Art

  • Visual

  • Performance

  • Musical

  • Colossal Architecture

  • Buildings

  • Monuments

  • Religion

  • Dominant belief system

  • Law / Legal System

  • Stable laws

  • Recognizable legal structure

  • Language

  • Spoken

  • Written

  • Social Code

  • Dominant moral code

  • Dominant ethical code