Open course "The Rise and Fall of Complex Societies", Jay Silverstein. Lecture 1 | SAS UTMN
The lecture examines the concept of civilization and societal complexity, emphasizing the difficulties in defining and assessing complex societies. It begins by reflecting on signs of global societal stress and potential collapse, drawing historical parallels. Civilization is framed as a term linked to advanced social, political, and cultural development, often contrasted with "barbarism" and "savagery" — labels critiqued for their colonial and hierarchical implications. The lecture then outlines core features of complex societies, including urbanization, stratification, labor specialization, monumental architecture, and literacy.
The lecture examines the concept of civilization and societal complexity, emphasizing the difficulties in defining and assessing complex societies. It begins by reflecting on signs of global societal stress and potential collapse, drawing historical parallels. Civilization is framed as a term linked to advanced social, political, and cultural development, often contrasted with "barbarism" and "savagery" — labels critiqued for their colonial and hierarchical implications. The lecture then outlines core features of complex societies, including urbanization, stratification, labor specialization, monumental architecture, and literacy.