Introduction to Humanities

Instructor: Gina Bortz

Email:

Class: Hum 1020 Fall 2017 (Full Semester Course)

CRN#s: 14222 and 12172

Time: Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.

Room: East Campus Bldg. 8 Room 245

Course Description:

This course is designed as a basic and fundamental introduction to the Humanities. Over the course of the semester, we will focus on the concepts, ideology and historical significance of the world around us. The Humanities are the fundamental means of human expression and continue to encompass all of the academic disciplines that involve human culture and creativity, including but not limited to: the nature of philosophy, architecture, music, religion, and art.

Required Text:

The following text is required and must be purchased or rented by each student for successful completion of the course:

Landmarks in Humanities, Fourth Edition, Gloria K. Fiero

This text is available in the campus bookstore.

Additional Required Materials:

All students are to attend class meetings with whatever materials they require as individuals; in order to be successful. The instructor reserves the right to post additional reading materials, worksheets, homework assignments, writing topics, and study guides to Blackboard. All students are responsible for retrieving those materials and printing them out on their own, before class meetings. It is not the professor’s responsibility to bring these materials to class for you.

Attendance:

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for successful completion of this course. Students are allowed the **equivalent** of four (4) absences during the semester. Upon the 4th absence, the student will be notified that a further absence will result in their withdrawal from the course. On the 5th absence, the student will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the instructor. A student will be marked absent if: they do not answer when their name is called, or if their signature does not appear on the sign-in sheet for that day; if they miss more than 15 minutes of class by arriving late or leaving early; or if they do not take the final exam. It is the attendance records of the instructor, not the recollections of the student, which will be consulted for proof of attendance/absences.

Exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis for extremely extenuating circumstances, such as, but not limited to, complications regarding pregnancy, lengthy hospitalization as a result of a major medical condition, or military service. Exceptions will require clear and precise documentation which should be provided in a timely fashion.

http://international.valenciacollege.edu/current-students/maintaining-visa-status/

http://valenciacollege.edu/finaid/satisfactory_progress.cfm

Student Assistance Program: Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get FREE and immediate help with issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities, who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a Notification to Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.

Student Feedback on Instruction: Toward the end of the semester, you will receive an invitation through your Valencia email account asking you to complete the Student Feedback on Instruction (SFI), which provides me and the college with feedback on your experience in the class. The results are released only after grades are submitted and student names are not included in the results – your responses are completely anonymous. Please provide your feedback through the SFI before the deadline. I am always eager to learn from you so that I may continually improve the course.

Valencia wants all students to be successful in their classes. In this class section, use the “Thinking of Withdrawing” located above “My Grades” in Blackboard to help you avoid needing to withdraw. Go to https://youtu.be/fFlkAOh4pu4 to learn more!

Weekly Reading Assignments:

You are expected to have completed all reading assignments BEFORE the start of class. Demonstrating that you have done so during classroom discussions is a part of your Attendance & Participation grade. Comprehension Checks and any written assignments will also center on these readings.

Course Schedule

Week / Subject / Assignments
1 Sept 3 / Intro to the class, syllabus, contract signed, The Ascent of Mount Ventoux / Read The Ascent of Mount Ventoux
2 Sept 10 / Origins: The First Civilizations AND Classicism: The Greek Legacy / Read 1-63
3 Sept 17 / Empire: The Power and Glory of Rome; Comprehension Check #1 / Read 65-89
4 Sept 24 / Revelation: The Flowering of World Religion; Response Paper #1 / Read 91-119
5 Oct 1 / Synthesis: The Rise of the West; Comprehension Check #2 / Read 121-141
6 Oct 8 / Christendom: Europe in the Age of Faith / Read 143-171
7 Oct 15 / Rebirth: The Age of the Renaissance / Read 173-211
8 Oct 22 / The Northern Renaissance & Reformation; Comprehension Check #3 / Read 213- 237
9 Oct 29 / Renaissance Music and Beyond – Response Paper #2
10 Nov 5 / Encounter: Contact and the Clash of Cultures; Cultural Event Due / Read 239-257
11 Nov 12 / Baroque; Comprehension Check #4 / Read 259-291
12 Nov 19 / Enlightenment: Science and the New / Read 293-323
13 Nov 26 / Romanticism: Nature, Passion and the Sublime, Response Paper #3 / Read 325-353
14 Dec 3 / Materialism and Modernism; / Read 355-415
15 Dec 10 / Study Guide for Final Wrap-up; Comprehension Check #5
16 Dec 17 / Final Exam

*This time line is subject to change by the instructor at any time

Classroom Behavior:

This is a discussion-based class. Often, you will be presented with points of view that may conflict with your own. Academic debate is highly encouraged, but rude and offensive behavior toward any member of the classroom will not be tolerated.

Other Responsibilities of the Student:

Students are expected to know the rules regarding ethical conduct. Any student who breaches the rules regarding ethical behavior risks failure. Some examples of such behavior include: plagiarism, cheating, and failure to document intellectual material obtained during research. Any student who believes that she/he is unable to fulfill these responsibilities must schedule an appointment immediately with the instructor to discuss any chances for success in the course.

Homework Policy:

Homework is to be turned in on its due date, at the beginning of class, unless otherwise stated by Instructor.

Cultural Event (30 %)
In order to globalize our minds, it is important to have a working understanding of the multicultural world around us. Each student is required to write about a cultural event. These cultural events are meant to look at things happening in our world that typically would be overlooked in everyday life. Students should choose an event to attend that is cultural in nature: a sporting event, a concert, an art gallery showing, a festival celebrating a particular ethnic group, etc., and write a thoughtful response detailing your experience. Each cultural event paper must be approximately 500 words in length. These will be shared in class on the day that they are due.