Western Civilization in a Global Context - by Kenneth L Campbell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Western Civilization in a Global Contextis a source collection that introduces a comparative element to the study of Western civilization, offering students an opportunity to explore non-Western perspectives. An interesting and provocative set of readings are included, from a range of primary sources, including official documents, historical writings, literary sources, letters, speeches, interviews as well as visual sources. These different sources are carefully selected with a view to generating class discussion and to provide students with a sense of the different approaches historians might take to understanding the past.

Volume II covers the modern period, from the Enlightenment to the 21st century, including sources that help gain insight into the political, social, religious, cultural and intellectual history of this period. Topics covered include:

- The American and French Revolutions
- The Age of Nationalism
- The New Imperialism
- Two World Wars and the Interwar Crisis
- The Cold War
- Decolonization

To aid student engagement and understanding, the book begins with a guide to using primary sources and includes questions for discussion throughout. Western Civilization in a Global Context is the ideal companion for students who want to explore the contribution of non-Western cultures, and gain a more thorough understand the complex history of the world as a result.

Review Quotes

Western Civilization in a Global Context provides a much needed resource for teachers who recognize that explaining the world today requires explaining the Western past - which can only be done in global context. That this book achieves.
Stephen Balch, Texas Tech University, USA

This volume offers a broad and well-chosen selection of primary source materials, placing the development of western civilization firmly within the context of global history. Ranging from familiar treatises to more idiosyncratic popular works, the textual and visual sources presented here provide comprehensive geographic and thematic coverage, with a chronological scope that extends into the early twenty-first century. Well-organized, with each chapter providing an accessible and insightful introductory overview, this volume should enable students to engage with the past in new and provocative ways.
Derek Hastings, Oakland University, USA

Understanding our increasingly globalized and interconnected world requires students to make comparisons-across time and between peoples, cultures, regions, and countries. The story of Western Civilization remains vital and fascinating, and Ken Campbell makes it vastly more relevant and enlightening by partially breaching the artificial barriers between the Western Civ, United States, and world history surveys. Insightful comparisons throughout and the inclusion of one or more well-chosen non-European sources per chapter help students see how all are interrelated and mutually influencing. Campbell's introductions and questions are truly illuminating. This is an excellent sourcebook.
Jonathan Daly, Professor of History, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

About the Author

Kenneth L. Campbell is Professor of History at Monmouth University, USA. He is the author of Western Civilization: A Global and Comparative Approach: Volume II: Since 1600 (2015).