The History and Intellectual Foundations of Western Civilisation

Explore the origins and history of Western Philosophy

The History and Intellectual Foundations of Western Civilisation

About The Course

This course examines the Fundamental Foundations of Western Civilisation. It will explore the history and origins of its thought and the development of the principles of Western philosophy that underpin its institutions, society and states.


This course selects key influential thinkers and political philosophers that have shaped the Western intellectual tradition and schools of thought which gave rise to the sociological, political and economic landscape of Western civilisation we see today.


The course will critically examine Western history to answer the questions: “what ideas caused the West to become the civilisation it is today? And are those ideas “universal truths” or the product of speculation mixed with their perceived usefulness amid particular historical conditions?”


This course is a must for anyone who wishes to understand the West to engage its ideas and politics and understand its societies and the countries it has influenced.

Course Team

Ustadh Abdullah Al-Andalusi

Ustadh Abdullah Al-Andalusi

(International Muslim Thinker, Speaker and Debater, London, UK)

AT A GLANCE

12 Teaching Weeks

Duration : 4 months

Sundays,3 PM - 4:30 PM (London, UK)

Video Recordings Available

Mobile App

Live Q&A

Certificate

From £16.67/Month

(For 6 Months)

Enrol Now

Starts on 15th January 2023

Course Fee:

Pay in Full: 

Pay in 6 Installment:

Registration Deadline:

11th February 2023

Al Balagh Scholarship

AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee.

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SESSIONS

SESSION 1

Birth of Thought in The Ancient Mediterranean World

SESSION 2

The First European Philosophers: The Pre-Socratics

SESSION 3

Socrates

SESSION 4

Plato

SESSION 5

Aristotle

SESSION 6

History and Philosophy of the Hellenistic Period

SESSION 7

Christianity and the Latin Church Fathers

SESSION 8

Medieval Christian Thought and The Rediscovery of Greek Philosophy

SESSION 9

The Renaissance

SESSION 10

The Western ‘Enlightenment’

SESSION 11

Anglo-Saxon Philosophy

SESSION 12

Continental Philosophy

Course Overview

The course will begin in today’s middle-east, showcasing the collapse of advanced civilisations that paved the way for the rise of a previously thought European backwater – Ancient Greece. With the influx of new ideas coming from the Ancient Middle East, the course will chart the effect this had on Greek thinking and the rise of speculation and philosophy. The course will focus heavily on Ancient Greek thought, demonstrating how these founding speculations and philosophies would underpin (and recur) Western thinking for the next 2500 years till the modern day.

After the spread of Greek thinking beyond Greece via Alexander of Macedon, the course will explore how the Romans took Greek ideas, built an empire, and how Greco-Roman culture changed – and was changed by – an emerging Jewish movement that took root amongst Greeks and Romans to become Christian eventually.

The course will follow early Christian thought from the fall of the Western Roman Empire until the rise of the Catholic Church, the encounter with Muslim thought, and the rediscovery of Ancient Greek philosophical texts leading to the renaissance.

The course then charts the rise of materialist political and ethical philosophy and the creation of an unintended by-product of the Renaissance – ‘The Enlightenment’ and will look at the rise of materialist political philosophies such as liberalism, socialism (and Marxist Socialism) and conservatism.

The course will end by looking at the rise of postmodernist philosophies and the current ‘culture wars’ occurring in the West (but mirrored throughout formerly colonial Westernised states).

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Course Aims and Objectives

The course will seek to teach students:

  • The origins of Ancient Greek philosophy and thought.
  • The differing schools of thought within Greek philosophy.
  • The three most influential Greek thinkers and how they set the tone for all further Western thought.
  • How the Roman empire assimilated Greek thought and expanded on it.
  • How Roman civilisation affected early Christian thought and doctrines, fundamentally changing it into the Christianity we have today.
  • Medieval Church philosophy, theology and political and ethical thought, and the impact of the encounter with Muslim thinkers and re-discovered Ancient Greek texts.
  • The origins of the Renaissance and the key developments in Western thought that would lead it to push technological progress.
  • The origins of the Enlightenment and the early ideas arising from it that would fundamentally determine the social, political and economic landscape of the world today.
  • The key modern Western philosophical movements and political philosophies today that affect both Western domestic and foreign affairs and post-colonial societies throughout the world.

Learning Outcomes

Students will acquire the following:

  • Key knowledge about the origins, history and rise of Western civilisation.
  • The ability to place modern Western ideas, concepts or philosophies within the historical Western philosophical tradition.
  • Knowledge of Christian doctrines and their origins within popular Greco-Roman thought and philosophy.
  • Knowledge of the origins and justifications of the Western materialistic philosophies and their original weaknesses and their subjective (i.e. non-universal) nature.
  • Know how to engage the modern justifications of Western philosophies and concepts critically
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.
Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.

Learn More About Our Courses?

Email us:  [email protected]