MEMORANDUM 

SENATE ? 

.From. 

..SENATE 

DE RGRADUATE 

.

PPEALS BOARD 

WESTRN CIVILIZATION 12 

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.. ? 

FEBRUARY 18, 1977 

MOTION: ? 

"That Senate approve the addition of Western Civilization 12 

for inclusion in the list of academic 12 level subjects 

acceptable for admission to Simon Fraser University." 

RATIONALE: 

In addition to the rationale contained in S.U.A.B. Paper 74 

(attached) the Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board is 

satisfied that this course is appropriate for university 

entrance based on:- 

1) S.U.A.B.'s review of the complete curriculum guide 

for Western Civilization 12. 

2) S.U.A.B.'s discussions with Mr. Vic Wright who is 

the English Literature 12 and Western Civilization 12 

teacher at Burnaby North Secondary School. 

Once approved by Senate, Western Civilization 12 will be 

added to the following statement:- 

"Graduation from British Columbia grade 12 with Math 11 

or Algebra 11, English 12 and two additional 12 level 

subjects selected from Science(s) 12, Math 12, Algebra 12, 

History 12, Geography 12, Language(s) 12, English Litera- 

ture 12, Geology 12 must be included." 

NOTE: 

ACM/cl 

SUAB 74 

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2ND ... .DECEMBER......1.976 

FOR ADMISSION PURPOSES - SUAB 74 

MOTION I: 

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"That SUAB approve the addition of Western 

Civilization 12 for inclusion in the list of 

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academic 12 level subjects acceptable for 

admission to Simon Fraser University." 

RATIONALE FOR MOTION I: 

The Western Civilization 12 course was initiated by the Department 

of Education in 1971 on a "pilot" basis to two schools. The course 

was gradually extended into additional schools. The decision by 

the Department of Education to make the course available to all 

schools was a result of:-- 

a) "the success of the course in the schools in which it has 

been offered since 1971." 

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b) "the acquiring by the Department of video-taping rights to 

the Civilization films, a fact which will facilitate wider 

distribution of the films, .and will enable the Department 

to provide the materials beyond the centres now serviced." 

NOTE: The course outline and other relevant facts are contained 

in Appendix A which has been extracted from the Department 

of Education Western Civilization 12 curriculum guide of 

1976. 

ACM/cl 

APPENDIX A 

.

C.

Course Description 

Western Civilisation 12 is a course based upon a B.B.C. 

television series .of thirteen one-hour colour films 

which attempt, by a combination of words, music, and 

colour, to extend the student's experience and under- 

standing of the life-giving beliefs and ideas made visible 

and audible through the medium of the arts. 

The films take the viewer from the fall of the Roman 

Empire to the 20th century, with the main emphasis on 

Western European art and architecture. The films are 

written and narrated by Sir Kenneth Clark. 

The series does not attempt to present a complete record, 

but concentrates on crucial civilizing episodes against 

the historical background which shows us the individuals 

who gave new energy to civilization and those who expanded 

an understanding of the world and ourselves. 

It Is important to note that the materials on which this 

course is based were not prepared initially as the basis 

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for a secondary school course. The Civilisation films 

were originally produced for adult audiences for viewing 

over an approximate three month period. It should be noted 

that these films are the basis of the course. The book 

CIVILISATION is simply a script of the films and should, 

Therefore, be used in a supportive role. 

D. Important Notes 

(1)

The approach in the films is a PERSONAL one, presenting 

the ideas and views of one person, Sir Kenneth Clark. 

It must also be clear that the scope of the time period 

and events covered by the films necessitate a SURVEY 

approach rather than an exhaustive study of Western 

Civilization. 

(2)

A broad cultural background and a genuine interest in 

the humanities, rather than expertise in any one subject 

area, are the essential qualifications for teaching 

Western Civilisation 12. 

(3)

Students of varied interests and abilities can make 

positive contributions to, and derive great benefit 

is

APPENDIX A 

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Page 2. 

from, the course. Students taking English Literature 

12, History 12, and/or Art 12 will find the course of 

particular value. 

(4) The experience of schools in the experimental stages 

of Civilisation 12 indicates that course enrichment 

is restricted under the semester system. (Difficult 

for students to absorb ideas so quickly; complementary 

courses are often in a different semester; guest 

speakers have to be scheduled too frequently.) Never- 

theless, although course enrichment may be restricted, 

many teachers have found that the course can be 

accommodated in a semestered situation. 

E. ? 

Goals 

(A series of general statements outlining the Intent 

of the course.) 

(1)

By presenting concepts of Western Civilisation to 

develop within the student an appreciation of 

his/ 

her heritage as an ongoing and life-giving activity 

in terms of what human beings can do and have done. 

(2)

To foster a knowledge of major forces, events, ideas, 

and facts that have influenced society. 

(3)

To develop an understanding and appreciation of forms 

of the arts, and the concepts behind them. 

(4)

To foster a greater intellectual and emotional enjoy- 

ment of one's community. 

(5)

To develop within the student an historical perspective 

of his time and place. 

(6)

To develop a personal philosophy through a study of 

man's creative development. 

(7)

To create an awareness of the integrating effect of 

knowledge as reflected in science, art, music, reli- 

gion, communities, economics and politics. 

(8)

To inspire confidence in the continuity of human 

effort and achievement, and to foster a sympathy for 

APPENDIX A ? 

Page 3. 

human aspirations. 

(9)

To develop an understanding of an individual's 

responsibility in society. 

(10) 

To foster independent study and the sharing of 

the results of such study. 

(ii) To foster critical thinking. 

F. Learning Outcomes 

(A series of more specific statements arising from 

the Course Goals.) 

(1)

The student should develop the ability to discrimi- 

nate, to develop personal opinions and tastes in 

the light of new knowledge and aesthetic experiences. 

(2)

The student should learn to recognize characteristic 

features of various art forms, and understand how 

they reflect their times. 

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(3) The student should develop a knowledge of some of? 

the great figures and their achievements. 

(4) The student should be able to see the connections 

among his/her courses in the Humanities, such as 

English, History, Art, and the relationship of these 

courses to the areas of science. 

(5) The student should practise independent study pro- 

cedures: 

(a)

locating, organizing, and summarizing pertinent 

information 

(b) enlarging vocabulary 

(c)

using library resources 

(6) The student should develop facility in designing and 

presenting oral reports. 

(7) The student should acquire some facility in presenting 

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opinions in discussions and in listening to others 

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critically but smypathetically. 