Many of us think college and earning a degree are only worth the time and effort spent due to better career opportunities after graduation. However, the reasons why higher education is so important are so much more than just financial stability, as the discipline, time management skills, and self-accountability learnt during this time are invaluable and will prepare any young human being for the future. A college degree fosters critical life skills like problem-solving, communication, and intellectual curiosity, creating well-rounded individuals capable of navigating any professional or personal situation.
An Enriching Journey
Pursuing a degree in Western civilisation in a six-month online course will enrich your entire life, not only your career. The course will expose you to art, literature, culture, and ideas that have inspired people in ancient Greece and Italy throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, all key episodes that shaped the Modern Era. You will study the intellectual philosophy of the Greeks and the scientific approaches of Latin and Arabic culture, which lay the ethical framework of modern society. This journey through the foundations of Western thought provides context for understanding our modern world.
Fostering Critical Thinking
Obtaining a degree in Western civilisation will help you gain a broader understanding of today’s society, and being confronted with so many great ideas and works of art will turn you into a better critical thinker, writer and speaker – all skills invaluable assets in your career, as developing a critical mindset is applicable in all life circumstances.
A Multidisciplinary Exploration
The degree lets you immerse yourself in a rich and broad intellectual and artistic heritage, covering a range of disciplines such as history, politics, philosophy, religion, literature and art. You will read the epic poetry of Homer and the plays of Shakespeare and learn about architectural masterpieces from the Pantheon in Italy, Rome, to the Pont Du Gard in Southern France.
Grappling With Life’s Big Questions
Getting a degree in Western civilisation will introduce you to big questions such as “Is freedom the most important political value? Is it compatible with social order?” or “Is reason our sole guide in navigating life’s challenges, or should we also rely on divine revelation?”, during the 13-part lecture series you will further investigate philosophical topics and discover the understanding of reason, wisdom and truth in today’s world and the overall meaning of life.
Developing a Nuanced Worldview
The online course will help you develop informed and thoughtful views on major issues facing society today, and you’ll become familiar with the different perspectives within various Western traditions of thinking and artistic expression over the centuries that have shaped our modern, diverse society. With this broad knowledge, you’ll be able to analyse and make sense of the complex realities and debates in the world around you today in an informed, reasonable way.
Rather than adopting one narrow way of seeing things, you’ll develop a nuanced, multifaceted understanding that considers ideas from various traditions and viewpoints. A degree in Western civilisation will allow you to think critically and arrive at thoughtful conclusions about important contemporary issues like democracy.
Fostering Leadership Skills
Aimed to foster skills that prepare young individuals for leadership roles across the private and public sectors, as well as social enterprises and the arts, the degree in Western civilisation is open to enrolment of students aged 17 and above. The online learning portal with 13 pre-recorded lectures can be accessed at any time and is set for studying at your own pace to transform into a well-rounded, innovative leader and thinker.
