Introduction to Humanities Instructor: Priscilla Hobbs
HUMA 1301/25663 Office phone: xxx-xxxx
Fall 2008 M/W 10:35a-11:50a ***TEMP: priscilla@mythicthinking.org
PIN1 402 Office Hours: M/W 9:30a-10:30a, PIN Lounge
T/TH 3:00-4:00, RGC Lounge
Other times by appointment
COURSE SYLLABUS
A. Course Description
This course explores the development of Western ideas through the study of the visual arts, literature, drama, music and philosophy. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will explore the connections between the arts, values, and diversity of Western cultural traditions, from the Ancient World to the modern era. There are no prerequisites for this class.
B. Required
Matthews, Roy T. & F. Dewitt Platt. The Western Humanities. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw
Hill, 2008.
I strongly recommend you get a copy of the MLA Handbook. It will come in handy throughout this class and in other classes you take at ACC.
C. Course Objectives
·
Develop and demonstrate through the class
assignments a foundation of the Western tradition.
·
Demonstrate a college-level reading and writing
level and an understanding of MLA format.
·
Think critically and analytically about the
works presented in class, including identifying basic elements, evaluating
cultural impacts, identifying core values and beliefs of a historical era, and
interpreting their themes as called for by the assignments.
·
Compare and contrast the eras studied in class,
especially with regard to politics, gender relations, social and class
relations, and key cultural worldviews.
·
Communicate effectively through essay writing
and class participation the topics studied in Humanities.
·
Research and access information from electronic
databases and online resources; to utilize the computer to compile and submit
assignments.
·
Participate in group discussions and projects.
D. Policies &
Rules
All Policies and Rules described in the Student Handbook are applicable in this class.
· Attendance: All students are expected to attend and participate in class on a regular basis. If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting notes and assignments from your classmates or by contacting me if necessary. If you miss class when an assignment is due, the assignment can be sent to me via e-mail. I will not automatically withdraw you for not coming to class; however, more than three absences, excused or not, can affect your grade, and excessive absences may result in failure of the course.
· Withdrawals: It is the student’s responsibility to initiate a withdrawal request to Admissions and Records before the withdrawal deadline. Discontinuance of class attendance or notice to the instructor does not constitute authorized withdrawal. See ACC’s catalogue for more details.
·
Incompletes:
I must be notified if you need to take an incomplete in the course. I will not
assume that you need one or not. The deadline for getting the coursework
completed is April 1, 2009.
· Scholastic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.
· Plagiarism: All work must be the original work of the student with proper citation of any and ALL information coming from other sources. Plagiarism occurs when you “borrow” from someone else’s work, have someone else write your paper, buy your paper from a company or copy it off the Internet or from a print source. Plagiarism is not accepted in this class and will result in disciplinary action with the Dean. The plagiarized assignment will automatically receive a failing grade, which could result in failing the course. It’s just as easy for me to verify your work as it is for you to “borrow” it. Don’t try it.
· Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are expected to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
· Religious Observances: Students have 15 days after the start of the semester to let me know about absences due to religious holidays not observed by ACC. Any assignments missed due to these holidays must be turned in 2 days after the holiday.
· Respect: This class is a place of learning for all. Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions. Other ways to exercise respect include:
Ž Attentiveness and active participation during lectures, class discussion, group work, or other classroom exercises.
Ž Avoiding distractions such as passing notes, putting on makeup, having side conversations with your classmates, text messaging or browsing MySpace, doing work for other classes, packing or unpacking your book bags during designated class time, and arriving late or leaving early.
Ž Avoid use of racist, ethnic, religious, sexist or homophobic language and anything else that you would not want your mother to hear you say.
Ž PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE turn off your cell phone, pager, or other communication devices. If your phone goes off during class, I will answer it for you.
·
Technology:
All students are expected to have an email address and access to a computer. If
you don’t have an e-mail address, please set one up. You may visit the
E. Grading
I will include the specific criteria I am looking for on the handout for each assignment. Please note: grades are not a personal reflection about you or your ideas. They are a reflection of your ability to complete the assignment within the defined parameters. If you have questions or concerns about how I have graded an assignment, please feel free to ask me.
All weekly assignments will be posted no later than Sunday afternoon and are due that following Thursday via BLACKBOARD at 5pm. No credit will be given for late assignments. I will announce when papers and exams are posted. Late papers will receive a one letter grade deduction per day it is late. Papers more than 3 days late will not be accepted.
Grades will be determined based on the following: A = Excellent
Class participation/assignments......20 % B = Good/Above Average
Papers…………………………. …30 % C = Average Midterm..………………………….25% D = Below Average/Poor
Final……………………………….25% F = Does not meet criteria
F. Class Schedule:
Week 1: August 25 / 27
Course introduction and overview
What are the Humanities?
Prehistory and early civilizations
Read: Introduction & “A Humanities Primer”
Chapter 1, pages 1-33
Complete Assignment #1
Week 2: September 1 / 3
September 1: LABOR DAY
Early Greek Civilization
Hellenism
Read: Chapter 2, pages 35-60
Chapter 3, pages 63-74
Complete Assignment #2
Week 3: September 8 / 10
Classical Greece Continued
Read: Chapter 3, pages 75-91
Chapter 4, pages 93-116
Complete Assignment #3
Paper #1 Assigned
Week 4: September 15 / 17
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT*
The Roman Empire
The Rise of Christianity
Read: Chapter 5, pages 128-153
Chapter 6, pages 155-180
Week 5: September 22 / 24
September 22: Paper #1 Due
The rise of Medieval West
Islam
Read: Chapter 7, pages 208-218
Chapter 8, pages 221-245
Complete Assignment #4
Week 6: September 29 / October 1
The High Middle Ages
Read: Chapter 9. pages 247-283
Complete Assignment #5
Week 7: October 6 / 8
Crises and change in the Late Middle Ages
Read: Chapter 10, pages 285-318
Complete Assignment #6
Take Home Mid-Term Assigned
Week 8: October 13 / 15
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT*
The Early Renaissance
Read: Chapter 11, pages 321-349
Week 9: October 20 / 22
October 20: Take Home
Mid-Term Due
The High Renaissance
Read: Chapter 12, pages 351-383
Chapter 13, pages 385-409
Complete Assignment #7
Week 10: October 27 / 29
The Baroque Age
Read: Chapter 14, pages 419-452
Chapter 15, pages 455-470
Complete Assignment #8
Week 11: November 3 / 5
The Enlightenment & Age of Reason
Revolutions & Romanticism
Read: Chapter 16, pages 479-508
Chapter 17, pages 520-541
Complete Assignment #9
Week 12: November 10 / 12
Political Change & the rise of Modernism
Read: Chapter 18, pages 555-575
Chapter 19, pages 590-613
Complete Assignment #10
Paper #2 Assigned
Week 13: November 17 / 19
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT*
Modernism and the World Wars
Read: Chapter 20, pages 617-653
Week 14: November 24 / 26
November 24: Paper #2 due
November 27-28: THANKSGIVING
Late Modernism
Read: Chapter 21, pages 663-691
Complete Assignment #11
Week 15: December 1 / 3
The Modern Era
Read: Chapter 22, pages 695-735
Complete Assignment #12
Final review sheet handed out.
Week 16: December 8 / 10
December 8: In-class review
December 10: Final
Exam
*PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
During these weeks, we will not meet for class, nor will I be available for
face-to-face meetings. Instead, we will meet online for a live group chat and
discussion through Blackboard. I will post details in the Announcements
sections. My office hours will likewise be held online at posted times.
Because we will not be meeting at our usual class time, I encourage you to use the time to visit the library for extra research or to visit with a tutor in the Learning Lab if you need help with writing your paper. You may also work with a classmate to edit each other’s papers.