Notes on Ways of the World
From the preface, it is hard to imagine a world in which people in academia did not recognize the importance of studying the history of the world from a cultural standpoint- Before the '60s, it seems as though many people viewed those not from Western European origin as not worth the effort to study and relate to the "western" world.
Understanding this makes me glad to be in the modern era where the whole is viewed as a whole of humankind. There are different cultures, traditions, and beliefs, but in the big picture, we are all the same fundamentally.
Again, good to see the author consciously attempting to steer away from the simple "Eurocentric perspective." Although bias is natural and arguably inevitable, a textbook can go along ways by trying to minimize its bias. In the prologue of "Ways," the bias on the concept of "the beginning" clearly is biased towards the Scientific Method. As a way to present the information rationally and without the attachment of belief, the methods of science are the most practical to the widest ranging audience.
Imagine the "Cosmic Calendar:" everything that we know and accept to be our collective history happened in a matter of minutes compared to the big picture! I like the concept of the "Three Cs" of world history: comparison. connections, and change. Nowadays, many people, including myself, take something like world history for granted. For example, if I were to suddenly decide I wanted to know everything there was to know about the history and culture of Cambodia, there would be a wealth of information ready for me to look up on the internet (of course, the source would be identified and verified!), or in books in libraries. To think this was not always so is quite eye-opening. I think I will like Strayer's approach to the subject.
Again, good to see the author consciously attempting to steer away from the simple "Eurocentric perspective." Although bias is natural and arguably inevitable, a textbook can go along ways by trying to minimize its bias. In the prologue of "Ways," the bias on the concept of "the beginning" clearly is biased towards the Scientific Method. As a way to present the information rationally and without the attachment of belief, the methods of science are the most practical to the widest ranging audience.
Imagine the "Cosmic Calendar:" everything that we know and accept to be our collective history happened in a matter of minutes compared to the big picture! I like the concept of the "Three Cs" of world history: comparison. connections, and change. Nowadays, many people, including myself, take something like world history for granted. For example, if I were to suddenly decide I wanted to know everything there was to know about the history and culture of Cambodia, there would be a wealth of information ready for me to look up on the internet (of course, the source would be identified and verified!), or in books in libraries. To think this was not always so is quite eye-opening. I think I will like Strayer's approach to the subject.
