CSTU 101
MODULE 1: WEEK 1
REVIEW STUDY GUIDE
The word “culture” gets used much within our society today, and the overuse of the word in
many cases causes confusion about its meaning as well as what it is exactly.
Culture is defined as the sum total of the collective beliefs, behaviors, and values that connect a
group of people within a society.
In this study we will also look at the philosophy that permeates these Western Cultures. This is
not just a big word to throw around, as philosophy basically explores the different ideas about
what it means to be human. Another word that is not used that much but is important to
understand is Syncretism, which is a combination, reconciliation, or coalescence of varying,
often mutually opposed beliefs, principles, or practices, esp. those of various religions, into a
new conglomerate whole typically marked by internal inconsistencies. Which is basically, a
coming together of various beliefs, etc. But with that said, this merging of beliefs does not stay
stagnant but continues to merge with new ideas, beliefs and values.
The early Christians expressed their values in art as well. Studying and understanding the past is
crucial, so that we better understand our present.
When groups of people organize and come together, they develop similar beliefs and come to
accept analogous values. They are seeking to understand the world in which they live. Most
cultures ask the same questions. How did I get here? Why am I here? What happens when I die?
Is there a god or something higher than myself? I am sure there are others but this covers the
basics. So it seems natural that most early cultures developed a view of their earth as being the
center of the universe they know, which was called the Ptolemaic system, later to be proven
incorrect by the Copernican system (which stated that the sun was the center of the universe).
These early cultures in many cases would begin to come together and share knowledge as well
and begin to establish permanent agricultural communities which would really make the
beginnings of what we call “culture.”
Keeping in mind, that as people come together, they must eat to survive. Thus, the ability to
grow as a civilization is linked to the ability to feed themselves. That is why the Urban and
Agricultural revolutions must be related and develop together. As cultures grow and ideas are
shared, technology will develop. We may think of technology as something that we only have
the 21st century, but technology just involves the manipulation of raw materials to produce some
benefit to a culture.
We may consider earlier cultures as being primitive but we must learn to put ourselves in their
time period. They were also very adept at metal-working as well as ship building. This early
civilization was unknown, kind of like the Neolithic Shrine called Stonehenge, until many
cuneiform tablets (first written language), were discovered in the early Sumerians’ ruins. This
enabled researchers to begin to understand what their culture was about. That is why writing was
so important.
Page 1 of 2
CSTU 101
During this module/week, we study two very important, yet different cultures included in our
Western Cultural study. These were the Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures, which were very
different but yet both were advanced in learning. Both were good builders of the materials that
were available to them: Mesopotamians mainly with dried brick, and the Egyptians with stone.
Mesopotamian emphasis was on living for the present with dim hopes for anything beyond the
grave. The Egyptians viewed death as just a continuation of life and certainly not to be feared.
This would affect many aspects of their culture and art. One of the most famous literary works of
the Mesopotamians was the Epic of Gilgamesh and one of the most famous art sculptures of
Egypt was a sculpture of Queen Nefertiti. Life was more or less uncertain in Mesopotamia, but
the Egyptians had an ethical component called “maat”, which translates as a synthesis of four
ideas: order, truth, justice and righteousness
The Early Egyptians did not have the technology of the wheel to build the early pyramids but
would have it later in their history. Why did the Egyptians build these pyramids? There are
numerous reasons, but one would be their fixation on their view of permanence. The Egyptians
values expressed their belief in the eternal structure of the universe. They used art to express
many of their beliefs but not to preserve one’s identity for the afterlife. Much of their art we see
depicts objects according to their most characteristic angle, and in many cases use the
perspective known as “frontality.” “Frontality” or “Frontal plane” is basically a term used to
describe the multiple perspectives of an object, especially in portraying the human body.
This can be seen in the Narmer Palette, the artifact that depicts the unification of Upper and
Lower Egypt. But as we see in Western Culture, there are various views about government and
the people’s rights. Egyptians, as well, had a government leadership, and the people had little if
any voice in how it was run.
The Pharaoh was the supreme leader in the government of the Egyptian civilization (a
theocracy), as well as in the area of religion.
Monotheism —the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.
Polytheism —the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.
Pantheism —the doctrine that God is the transcendent reality of which the material
universe and human beings are only manifestations
Theocracy —a form of government in which god or a deity is recognized as the supreme
civil ruler, the god's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
Page 2 of 2
