Course Syllabus for HUM 1010: Introduction to Humanities I (3 Credit Hours)

Course Description:

Historical approach to pivotal ideas, systems of thought, and creations of the Western world (e.g., music, drama, painting, sculpture, architecture, and literature) as reflections of the culture that produced them.

Course Objectives:

I. CENTRAL COMPETENCIES

By the end of the term, students will be able to

  1. Understand and explain, in both oral and written forms, the uniqueness of being human and the definition of humanities.
  2. Understand the significance of value systems in a variety of cultures from prehistoric times to circa 1600.
  3. Identify significant contributors to the humanities (including philosophers, economists, scientists, artists, musicians, political leaders, writers) and comment intelligently on their specific contributions.
  4. Trace chronologically the primary periods in the development of civilization up to circa 1600, identify the primary characteristics of each period, and analyze the conditions contributing to the rise and fall of each period.
  5. Identify the traits of the evolving humanities through exposure to media such as art, music, architecture, dance, and literature.
  6. Integrate their analyses of current events in light of historical perspective through the humanities.
  7. Read, question, analyze, and discuss selected literary masterpieces written prior to circa 1600.

II. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to

1)       Explain the words human, humanities, and humanism.  (A, B, C, D, G)

2)       Identify traits of value systems that evolved in different cultures at different times.  (D, E, G)

3)       Identify specific impacts of the humanities in the following periods:

a)       Mesopotamia and Egypt

b)       Greece

c)       Rome

d)       European community           (D, E, G)

4)       Discuss specific historical events in the development of the contemporary world as they relate to the humanities.  (B, C, D)

5)       Investigate the significance of the Greek and Roman ideas on later political, artistic, cultural movements. (A, B, C, D, E, F,G)

6)       Investigate the significance of ideas from other cultures (i.e., Eastern, African) on contemporary culture. (A, B, C, D, E, F)

7)       Identify specific characteristics of the humanities of the Western world and compare and contrast them to those of the Eastern world. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

8)       Demonstrate in both oral and written form some appreciation for the humanities as they are reflected in the arts of the Western world.  (C, D, E, F, G) 

9)       Explain divergent approaches to artistic expressions in various cultures (through in-class studies of music, art, dance, and other fine arts).  (B, E)

10)   Illustrate how value systems can be identified in each period studied.  (A, B, D, G)

11)   Demonstrate tolerance toward the attitudes of peers regarding divergent views of the humanities.  (A, C, E, F, G)

12)   Explain the relationships between the content of the literature and the time and cultural milieu in which it was written. (B, C, D, E, F, G)

13)   Identify and explain the primary traits and sacred texts of the major religions of the Western world. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

Prerequisites and Corequisites:

None.

Course Topics:

Module 1: The Rise of Civilization, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt

Module 2: Heroic Age in Greece, Odyssey, Classical Greece, Apology

Module 3: Republican and Imperial Rome, Aeneid

Module 4: Rise of Monotheism – Judaism, Early Christians, Bible, Byzantium, Islam

Module 5: Middle Ages – Charlemagne, High Middle Ages, Inferno, Fourteenth Century

Module 6: Renaissance – Early Renaissance, High Renaissance in Italy, Renaissance in the North, Shakespeare

Module 7: Project Presentations & Critiques

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbook:

Cunningham, Lawrence S., and John J. Reich. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. Alternate ed., 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning Inc., 2006. ISBN: 0534582273

Optional Textbook:

Ball, Vernon, Scott Douglass, and Dorothy Weathersby. Readings for Introduction to Humanities I. Copyright 2001 by Scott Douglass. ISBN: 0155177788

NOTE: This reader is a convenient collection of readings that are widely available on the Internet or elsewhere. It contains excerpts from the following:

The Odyssey, by Homer
The Trial of Socrates: The Apology, by Plato
The Aeneid, by Virgil
The Inferno, by Dante
The Bible, King James Version

Students are welcome to find these selections in locations other than this optional textbook. Readings are clearly indicated in the course content. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he/she has the proper readings for the class.
 

Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Software Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Students must submit their writing assignments in one of the following formats:

·         Microsoft Word (filename.doc)

·         Rich Text Format (filename.rtf)

·         HTML (filename.htm)

Students who cannot create files of one of these types will need to check with the instructor at the beginning of class to explore alternatives.

Students may be required to view pdf files and video files using Acrobat Reader, Real Player, and/or Media Player. They may download free software at  

Instructor Information

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information and other communication information.

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

Students will take their tests using the online tools available in the online course. No proctors will be necessary for this course. Students must download the Respondus Lock Down Browser for use when taking the major exams.

Grading Procedure:

Grades will be based on students’ satisfactory completion of the required assignments (see below). Assignments have been designed to assess students’ comprehension and understanding of topic material as well as their ability to apply principles studied to their experiences in modern-day life. These assessments will allow students to express their mastery of the competencies and objectives listed above. Students will be tested on their objective, factual knowledge of key terms, events, and concepts as well as on their ability to apply that knowledge in reflective, analytical, and argumentative writing assignments.

Grading Scale:

A = 90%-100% (900-1000 points)
B = 80%-89% (800-899 points)
C = 70%-79% (700-799 points)
D = 60%-69% (600-699 points)
F = < 60% (< 600 points)

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

Homework Assignments 1-10, 15 points each, 150 points total, 15% of final grade

Homework assignments will take a variety of forms. Students should read assignments carefully and follow directions for full credit.

Homework 1, 15 points: Pre-Course Survey, Self-Introduction, Statement of Expectations

Homework 2, 15 points: Understanding Culture and Values

Homework 3, 15 points: The Odyssey & Greek Values

Homework 4, 15 points: Socrates & The Apology

Homework 5, 15 points: Republican Rome

Homework 6, 15 points: Imperial Rome & The Aeneid

Homework 7, 15 points: The Rise of Monotheism & The Bible

Homework 8, 15 points: Medieval Castles & Cathedrals

Homework 9, 15 points: Renaissance Art

Homework 10, 15 points: Project Critiques

Reflection Paragraphs, 1-5, 10 points each, 50 points total, 5% of final grade

Students should write 1 paragraph for each reflection, 5-10 sentences, and submit it to the Course Dropbox.

Reflection 1, 10 points: Burial Practices of Ancient Egypt and Modern-Day U.S. as Evidence of Common Cultural Values

Reflection 2, 10 points: The Individual as a Cultural Value in Greece and the U.S.

Reflection 3, 10 points: Technology as a Cultural Value in Rome and the U.S.

Reflection 4, 10 points: Christianity and Islam: What Values Do They Have in Common?

Reflection 5, 10 points: The Cathedral Square, the Town Square, the Mall: the Value of Communion

Tests 1-6, 100 points each, 600 points total, 60% of final grade

Students will take each test using the online quiz tool. Questions are 1/2 objective (multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank) and 1/2 subjective (essay response).

Test 1, 100 points: Covers Module 1, The Rise of Civilization, Ancient Egypt

Test 2, 100 points: Covers Module 2, Heroic Age in Greece, Odyssey, Classical Greece, Apology

Test 3, 100 points: Covers Module 3, Republican and Imperial Rome, Aeneid

Test 4, 100 points: Covers Module 4, Rise of Monotheism – Judaism, Early Christians, Bible, Byzantium, Islam

Test 5, 100 points: Covers Module 5, Middle Ages – Charlemagne, High Middle Ages, Inferno, Fourteenth Century

Test 6, 100 points: Covers Module 6, Renaissance – Early Renaissance, High Renaissance in Italy, Renaissance in the North, Shakespeare

Class Project, 200 points, 20% of grade

Each student will make a presentation to the class on a specific era or subject of the course via an original web site, PowerPoint presentation, or other presentation method suitable for an online course. Each source used for the project must be documented using MLA guidelines. Details for this assignment may be found inside the course.

Class Participation:

Students are expected to participate with the instructor and with their peers in discussions and class projects. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor regularly via email. Students are expected to check email, announcements, and calendar regularly.

Punctuality:

Due dates for all assignments are listed on the course calendar. Students may hand in work early, but they may not hand in work late.  

Course Ground Rules

This course moves quickly. Students must keep up with their reading or they will have a very difficult time catching up.

Students who have not had any previous experience with online course software must be willing to dive in and learn quickly. The instructor will provide tools to make this learning process easier. Other students who have had online courses before are usually happy to help newcomers.

Students should communicate with the instructor and their other classmates regularly. They should use their assigned course email addresses in regular communication. They should also give the instructor an email address outside the course as a backup.

Students should address technical problems immediately. A toll-free telephone number and a web link to the RODP Helpdesk are provided below.

The instructor of this course always welcomes questions, but students should be sure to read all of the pertinent pages in the class content area before asking questions about assignments, procedures, and requirements. Usually, all of the information needed can be found there. 

To excel in this or any other online course, students must be willing and motivated to do a lot of reading online. The instructor recommends making printed copies of the course content pages for reading and note taking.

Students should observe course netiquette at all times. This includes being respectful of others in all email and discussion posts. A good rule of thumb is “write as though your little old granny were going to read it.”

NOTE: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. “Plagiarism” means using someone else’s words or ideas as if they were your own. Students who copy someone else’s work (from the Internet or anywhere else) and pass it off as their own will get a "0" on the assignment or fail the course. 

NOTE: You are expected to know and understand rules of documentation (i.e., how to avoid plagiarism) when you enter this course. If you do not know and understand these rules, learn them now at Purdue OWL’s Avoiding Plagiarism: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/

NOTE: Any time you use words or ideas that are not your own, you must tell where you got them. Ignorance of documentation rules will not be accepted as an excuse for plagiarism.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.

Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of others' ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Students will also have access to the instructor’s home institution’s library resources.

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:

If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org