Quiz 4

1. “Hallmark Five: We Embrace the Gift of Diversity.” In what way does Strayer’s textbook, Ways of the World, reflect Hallmark 5 of the SND de Namur? Strayer discovered a paranormal ‘sweet spot’ between being concise and inclusive. The author found that the concept of inclusion can be propagated through engaging students in world history. When discussing the human past in the subsection ‘the first human societies,’ Strayer illustrates that people held less significance. For instance, the current Australian Aboriginal women and children are marginal, remote, and dependent compared to their antiquities. The writer depicts the bigger picture of the world using significant historical themes, developments, and trends. His illustration of the metrics of inclusion compares to Hallmark 5 which urges the community to embrace diversity by being convivial to individuals from diverse cultures, ethnicity, race, socio-economic circumstances, gender, age, sexual orientation, and faith traditions. Strayer addresses the importance of a greater inclusion of people into the British-governed social structures. He suggests that education can help to reduce the tension between coherence and inclusion and facilitate the incorporation of non-natives into native societies. SND de Namur encourages the development of educational programs to expand individual knowledge and understanding of diversity in the world community and celebrate the richness of heritage. Strayer agrees with Namur as he demonstrates the importance of understanding one’s identity. Since assimilation and westernization have resulted in the loss of culture, historical accounts will play a critical part in ensuring that current and future generations understand the lifestyle of their ancestors. For instance, most South African learners assume that the country attained its independence in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became the nation’s president. However, history shows that South Africa was an independent nation since 1910, but white supremacists remained in control and blacks had no political rights. Thus, understanding such elements of history will enable people to learn and embrace inclusion and live as one community. Also, educational programs are vital in elaborating the phenomena of modernization, secularization, Christianity, and Islam, and the link between them. Strayer noted it is easier to instill the virtue of tolerance in young people, and only history can achieve such a milestone. Namur asserts that inclusion can be achieved if strategies and support services are founded on respect for individual learning styles with the aim of building the self-esteem of individual students. Strayer mostly focuses on student development. His book features resources and activities that encourage student engagement in the learning process. The author acknowledges that inclusion and coherence can only be harnessed when students have room to explore and engage actively in understanding the roots of diversity. Strayer praises Namur’s sentiments by suggesting strategies and support services such as video learning, textbook, and guided reading exercises to enable students to take notes as they read. Additionally, different dimensions of quality can be used in the assessment for improvement. For example, Strayer illustrates the engagement experiences of students with their contemporaries from diverse races, cultures, and ethnicities. 3. In what ways did Modern Western Humanistic Civilization collapse (breakdown) during the 20th century? Has this collapse been effectively amended? The Western humanistic civilization began in Europe and the Mediterranean after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Strayer suggests the long-term cyclic rhythm of organization, expansion, and integration was thriving because of Christianity, a growing economic dynamism, isolated power structures, and a feudal society. It underwent a gradual transition from pre-modern to modernity. Civilization spread from Europe to Australia, the U.S., and the rest of the world. The consequences of this civilization included economic supremacy, systematic technological development, and scientific advancement. Additionally, a unique culture of individual freedoms developed. The civilization rose and flourished but ultimately disintegrated and fell. The Modern Humanistic Civilization collapsed during the 20th century due to demographic trends, socio-political organization, environmental issues, and economic volatility. The collapse of Modern Civilization was marked by the inception of the Russo-Japanese war in 1905 which founded the Empire of Japan. The Russian Empire’s Manchurian Campaign fought fiercely against the Japanese Military; however, the latter consistently triumphed against the Russian troops. This period marked the end of Russian rule over the Japanese. Also, the Russian Revolution of 1905, characterized by uprisings that were directed towards the government, marked a period of national instability due to widespread terrorism, worker upheavals, military mutinies, and peasant unrests. At the same time, the Xinhai Revolution resulted in the Qing Dynasty of China being overthrown in 1911. Several other events followed the revolutions including the First World War, the sinking of RMS Titanic which was regarded as the world’s greatest innovation in 1912, and the Second Boer War in South Africa and the Second World War. These occurrences led to instability that stalled civilization. Additionally, the Great Depressions that came in the aftermath of WWI resulted in an economic downturn. The cultural and social change movements that emerged from hysterical migration by communities from Africa, Middle East, and Asia to the U.S. and Europe created tension, suspicion, and hostility. Also, there were utterly destructive wars in Vietnam, Asia, and Africa that undermined the sovereignty of newly independent nations. Strayer noted that internal conflicts, civil wars, and widespread fear across the globe destroyed civilization because it hindered economic and social advancement. Nonetheless, this collapse has been effectively amended which is evident from the significant advantages that contemporary states enjoy compared to their antiquated counterparts. Modern countries have more access to information, administrative experience, and a progressively knowledgeable and engaged populous. Information has yielded benefits such as enlightened leadership, a better understanding of global issues, increased participation, and more opportunities for obtaining and sharing new ideas. For instance, technology has made it easier to monitor hazardous climatic events. Strayer discussed how global players realized that the reality of worldwide climate change creates the need to downplay ideological differences and address the most pressing issue with momentous socioeconomic implications. The tension that existed between nations during the post-war and cold war eras was pacified as modern governments prefer diplomatic approaches to peace rather than aggression. Currently, the Western world enjoys a period of relative liberal peace. 4. Are we moving into a new historical era? Do the items listed under “Post-Modern” reflect the world we live in today and the future we seem to be working toward? Why or why not? The boundary between the past and present eras is evident since the world view has shifted considerably across the western world. The current paradigms of the nature of man and functionality of global components are entirely different from the preceding years. It is important to mention that relativity and quantum physics have fortified the definition of reality. Strayer suggests we have a better mapping of our history through the science of genetics, planet, and our mutual story as a race. Also, the advent of the internet and its subsequent pervasiveness has created a social sphere which links people in unprecedented ways while providing a clearer worldview. The information era portrays the world as a limited resource due to growing awareness about the planet. Nonetheless, the stark apprehension of the western lifestyle, which is being enthusiastically adopted throughout the globe, appears unsustainable in the long-run. Its salient features include consumerism and the pursuit of wealth yet the mainstream population lacks water, a decent shelter, and sanitary amenities. As a result, the future of civilization that individuals, governments, and societies are working towards may never materialize due to moral and ethical implications of current activities. The postmodern era is entirely different from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Ancient, and classical eras when humanity was primitive and survival were the most important aspect of life. Strayer suggests it is an era of accelerating connections. In the Paleolithic era, Homo sapiens used basic stone tools. They were nomadic gathers and hunters who congregated into moving bands in search of food. On the other hand, Homo sapiens in the Neolithic era outsmarted their cohorts and began using advanced stone tools to consummate intricate tasks. They transformed from being nomads and made temporary settlements where they formed agricultural communities. They inhabited all world continents except Antarctica. Today modern man occupies all world continents including Antarctica. Technology has helped man to develop adaptation equipment to survive the extreme cold. The competition for wealth began during the ancient era when antiquities realized the significance of status, power, and wealth in granting social hierarchy. They developed more sophisticated technologies and cross-continental interaction increased due to trade. The classical era continued the battle for hegemony between civilizations, and political units arose. In the modern era, capitalism intensified the preexisting competition, productivity multiplied as a consequence of the industrial revolution, and European nations underscored political hegemony over developing countries. In the post-modern era, people are relishing in the positives of globalization and reeling in its negative implications. Contemporary institutions are struggling to find ways to regulate capitalism to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. Governments are urging domestic and international cooperation among people. Moreover, Strayer states that environmental sustainability has become the most critical issue and fundamental goal of technology. The widespread democracy that was broadened during the modern era has enhanced the need for global powers to not only possess nuclear, military and economic strength but also to foster international collaboration with developing nations. Nonetheless, capitalism is impeding the attainment of achieving an equable economy that will benefit both the haves and the have-nots.