We talked about the characteristics of civilization.  Students suggested that civilization distinguishes itself from other forms of human grouping through the following characteristics:

1.  Rules/laws.
2.  Division of labor/roles, or specialization, which typically leads to a hierarchical structure.
3.  Written language, which also contributes to specialization and hierarchy (as scribes occupy a special place in society), and which allows for the preservation of knowledge.
4.  Some form of government, sometimes simply an individual leader.
5. Towns or cities, with a concomitant sense of community.
6. A corresponding “civilized” culture.

We also discussed the fact that the term “civilization,” though useful when describing certain types of human groupings, can suggest a moral superiority over “uncivilized” or “barbarian” people, and that it’s preferable to avoid this condescending attitude.
 

Next I lectured on the origins of civilization in ancient Mesopotamia.  These were some of the terms I used in lecture:

Mesopotamia
Tigris
Euphrates
Lugal
Sumer
Ur (home of Abraham)
Uruk (home of Gilgamesh)
Ziggurat
Pictograms
Cuneus -- Cuneiform
Enheduanna
Ishtar
Empire
Akkadian empire
Sargon of Akkad
Hammurabi of Babylon