To enhance students’ understanding of Western culture and civilization, this GE course is designed to give undergraduate students of all specializations – not least those in science and technology – an opportunity to acquire some basic knowledge about the achievements of Western civilization in arts and literature, and the important philosophical ideas behind those achievements. This GE course will provide students with a sense of discovery, and by discussing many of the canonical works in arts and literature, they will be able to appreciate the importance of humanistic ideas in the history of the West. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with factual knowledge by reading the designated texts and supplementary materials. They will continue discussion in tutorials and online on the Blackboard, and they will have a mid-term quiz as well as a final examination.