Course Syllabus for HUM 1020: Introduction to Humanities II (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. From 1600 to present.

Course Objectives:

I. CENTRAL COMPETENCIES

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

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

II. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to

Explain the words human, humanities, and humanism. (A, B, C, D, G)
Identify traits of value systems that evolved in different cultures at different times. (D, E, G)
Identify specific impacts of the humanities in the following periods:
- Counter-Reformation and Baroque
- Enlightenment and Rococo
- Neoclassic and Romantic
- Modern and Contemporary (D, E, G)
Discuss specific historical events in the development of the contemporary world as they relate to the humanities. (B, C, D)
Investigate the significance of the Greek and Roman ideas on later political, artistic, cultural movements. (A, B, C, D, E, F,G)
Investigate the significance of ideas from other cultures (i.e., Eastern, African) on contemporary culture. (A, B, C, D, E, F)
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)
Demonstrate in written form some appreciation for the humanities as they are reflected in the arts of the Western world. (C, D, E, F, G)
Explain divergent approaches to artistic expressions in various cultures (through in-class studies of music, art, dance, and other fine arts). (B, E)
Illustrate how value systems can be identified in each period studied. (A, B, D, G)
Demonstrate tolerance toward the attitudes of peers regarding divergent views of the humanities. (A, C, E, F, G)
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)
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 Age of Encounter

Module 2: The Counter-Reformation and the Baroque

Module 3: Enlightenment and Rococo

Module 4: The Age of Revolution

Module 5: The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie

Module 6: The Modernist World

Module 7: Decades of Change

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbook:

See http://rodp.bkstr.com to find and order the correct textbook in this course. You may choose either an e-text or a hard copy. Whichever you choose, be sure that you get an access code for the Online Toolkit that accompanies the text.

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

Real Player: http://www.real.com Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/11/default.aspx Adobe Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

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 must secure a proctor for both the midterm and final exams by the third week of the class.

Directions for securing a proctor are at http://www.rodp.org/students/proctor.htm.

A list of proctors and testing centers is at http://www.rodp.org/students/proctorsites.htm .

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 = 65%-69% (650-699 points)
F = < 60% (< 650 points)

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

Introductory Assignments, 25 points

Self-Introduction on Discussion Board; Syllabus & Plagiarism Quiz

Discussion Assignments 1-7, 20 points each, 140 points total, 14% of final grade

Students will respond to content and to each other by posting in the Course Discussion area.

Discussion 1, 20 points: The Age of Encounter

Discussion 2, 20 points: The Counter-Reformation and the Baroque

Discussion 3, 20 points: Enlightenment and Rococo

Discussion 4, 20 points: The Age of Revolution

Discussion 5, 20 points: The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie

Discussion 6, 20 points: The Modernist World

Discussion 7, 20 points: Decades of Change

Reflection Essays 1-3, 75 points each, 225 points total, 22.5% of final grade

Students will write 3 essays (1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, personal, no sources) out of 7 choices in which they reflect on the relationship between historical and modern-day culture; they will submit these essays to the Course Dropbox.

Reflection 1, 75 points

Reflection 2, 75 points

Reflection 3, 75 points

Culminating Reflection Essay, 125 points, 12.5% of grade

Students will write a longer essay (4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, personal, no sources) that brings together topics of particular interest to them from the semester's materials. In the essay, students should analyze the intersection of the values of various cultures. Students should identify values held in common by most cultures versus values that are not commonly held. Students should apply their understanding of universally-held values to their own lives and show how similar values are held by the cultures in which they were raised, whether here in the United States or abroad.

Quizzes 1-7, 30 points each, 210 points total, 21% of final grade

Students will take a quiz over the content of each topic module using the online quiz tool. Quizzes are self-grading. Questions are objective (multiple choice). Students must make 80% on a quiz before they can take the next quiz. Students will be allowed unlimited attempts at each quiz.

Quiz 1, 30 points: The Age of Encounter

Quiz 2, 30 points: The Counter-Reformation and the Baroque

Quiz 3, 30 points: Enlightenment and Rococo

Quiz 4, 30 points: The Age of Revolution

Quiz 5, 30 points: The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie

Quiz 6, 30 points: The Modernist World

Quiz 7, 30 points: Decades of Change

Mid-Term Exam, 125 points, 12.5% of grade

Students will take an exam that covers the first three (3) modules of the course.

Module 1: The Age of Encounter

Module 2: The Counter-Reformation and the Baroque

Module 3: Enlightenment and Rococo

Objective questions will be randomly selected from the bank of quiz question. Essay questions will be based on the central competencies and learning objectives of the course and will require the student to analyze information from the content modules.

The Midterm Exam is a PROCTORED exam. Students must secure a proctor and testing site for both the midterm and the final exams by the third week of class.

Directions for securing a PROCTOR: http://www.rodp.org/students/proctor.htm

List of PROCTORS and TESTING CENTERS:http://www.rodp.org/students/proctorsites.htm

NO BOOKS, NOTES, OR OTHER STUDY MATERIALS WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE EXAM. STUDENTS MAY NOT VISIT WEB SITES OTHER THAN THE COURSE TESTING SITE DURING THE EXAM. ANY INFRACTION OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF "0" FOR THE EXAM.

Final Exam, 150 points, 15% of grade

Each student will take an exam that covers the last four (4) modules of the course.

Module 4: The Age of Revolution

Module 5: The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie

Module 6: The Modernist World

Module 7: Decades of Change

The Final Exam is a PROCTORED exam. Students must secure a proctor and testing site for both the midterm and the final exams by the third week of class.

Directions for securing a PROCTOR: http://www.rodp.org/students/proctor.htm

List of PROCTORS and TESTING CENTERS:http://www.rodp.org/students/proctorsites.htm

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.

NOTE: 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:

Purdue OWL's Avoiding Plagiarism: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
Columbia Guide to Online Style: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/cgos/idx_basic.html
Citation Styles Online: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html
Citation Machine: http://www.citationmachine.net/
About.com's How to Succeed as an Online Student: http://distancelearn.about.com/od/distancelearning101/a/studentsuccess.htm
Wikipedia's Entry on "Humanities": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanities
Primary web resources for course content will be found inside course modules.

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