本书从中西文明两大体系的核心观念入手，跨文化地介绍了中西文明的概况；在阐述西方文明的同时，处处以中华文明为参照系；抓住了中西文明的整体外貌、基本特征和关键区别。本书框架清晰、概念典型、例证精到。内附CD-ROM含有1000多页与主题紧密相连的翔实资料、图片。

Dedication to Professor Ding Wangdao

独具一格的奇书：西中文明比较教材

Authors Preface

  Liberal Arts Education

  Immigrant Experience in Europe

  Engagement with China

  The Connection Between the CoAuthors

Chapter 1 Overall Introduction

  Introduction

  Study One Civilization or Two?

  Why This Comparison Now

  From a Chinese Point of View

  From a Western Point of View

  Cultural Pluralism

  Modernity Is Different in China and in the West

  The Primary Goal of Comparative Civilization Studies

  Western Thought Patterns in WCwCC

  Caveats［warnings］

  Preparatory Skills

Chapter 2 Technical Features, CDROM Text

  Introduction

  1. Installation

  1.1 Installing Adobe Reader 8.0

  1.2 Calling Up WCwCC

  2. OnScreen Reading

  2.1 Navigation Bar (at the top of the screen)

  2.2 Vertical Navigation Aids

  2.3 Commenting and MarkUp

  2.4 Adjusting the Viewing Conditions

  2.5 Clickable Links

  2.6 Moving Up and Down

  2.7 Looking Up Unfamiliar Words

  2.8 SEARCH versus FIND

  3. Copying or Printing

Chapter 3WCwCC as a University Course

  How to Approach a Reading in WCwCC

  1. Inspection

  2. Interpretation

  3. Comparison

  4. Generalization

  Modular Organization and Its Consequences

  Format for Each Week's Readings

  Recombining Cultural Elements Dispersed among Modules

  Advice for Prospective Students and Teachers

  SelfStudy versus InCourse Study

  Understanding More Important Than Knowledge

  Critical Thinking and Academic Writing in English

  Introduction

  Debate: the Concentrated Form of Western Argumentation

  Comparative Guidelines for Argumentative Writing

  The Basic Tripartite ［threepart］ Structure

  The Model of Modern Science

  Schematic Model for Structuring a Science Argument

  An Alternative Model for Academic Papers: PUZZLE SOLVING

  Schematic Model for Structuring a PuzzleSolving Argument 

  Constructing a Convincing Argument

  Suggested Grading Criteria for Academic Essays in English 

  Conclusion

Chapter 4 Module Zero, 0.1 GROUNDWORK

  Module 0.1.1 Working Concepts for Comparing Cultures

  0.1.1.1 Mapping Ethnocentrism

  0.1.1.2 Cultures and Civilizations: Definitions and Problems

  0.1.1.3 Twelve Premises for Comparative Culture Studies

  0.1.1.4 The Idea of a Cultural Construct

  0.1.1.5 Worldviews and Paradigms

  0.1.1.6 Modernity as a Touchstone Concept in WCwCC

  0.1.1.7 The Place of History

  0.1.1.8 False Friends 

  Module 0.1.2 Tentative Comparisons: China and the West

  0.1.2.1 Guidelines for Credible Civilizational Comparisons

  0.1.2.2 A ChineseBased Comparison: Prof. Gu Zhengkun's Seven Laws

  0.1.2.3 Intersecting Cultural Constructs: DNA and the Yijing

  0.1.2.4 Simplified Binary Comparisons: China and the West

  Module 0.1.3 Intermediate Conclusion

Chapter 5 Modular Readings: Tables of Contents with Introductory Overviews

  Module 1.1 CLASSICAL LANGUAGES: Chinese, Greek and Latin

  Module 1.2 Modern Languages: Chinese and English

  Module 2.1 Traditional Ideas about Education

  Module 2.2 Modern Approaches to EDUCATION

  Module 3.1 Traditional Ideas about Family and Gender

  Module 3.2 Modern Views of Family and Gender

  Module 4.1 Traditional Perspectives on Health and the Body

  Module 4.2 Modern Concepts of Health and the Body

  Module 5.1 Traditional Ideas about Human Nature

  Module 5.2 Modern Views of Human Nature

  Module 6.1 Traditional Concepts of Nature

  Module 6.2 Modern Views of Nature

  Module 7.1 Traditional Economics

  Module 7.2 Modern Economics

  Module 8.1 Traditional Governance

  Module 8.2 Modern Governance

  Module 9.1 Traditional Views of Law

  Module 9.2 Modern Concepts of Law

  Module 10.1 Traditional Concepts of Death

  Module 10.2 Modern Perspectives on Death

  Module 11.1 Traditional Values

  Module 11.2 Modern Values

  Module 12.1 Traditional Worldviews

  Module 12.2 Modern Worldviews

  Module 13.1 Traditional Ideas of Knowledge

  Module 13.2 Modern Approaches to Knowledge

Appendix