HUM 122 Page 9
OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Humanities 122 all sections
Modern Culture and the Arts
Dr. Karen E. Petersen
Spring 2009
I. / Course Prefix / Course Number / Course Name / Credit / Lecture / LabHUM / 122 / Contemporary Culture and the Arts / 3 / 3 / 0
II. PREREQUISITES
None
III. COURSE (CATALOGUE) DESCRIPTION
The emphasis of this course is the culture and arts of the last 50 years. This course is interdisciplinary in nature. It includes literature, music, drama, visual arts, architecture, TV, film, and cultural theory. It also examines the forces that influences the arts and helps students to appreciate and critically evaluate contemporary culture.
IV. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
A. Students will explore aspects of contemporary culture and the arts. The focus will be on understanding the cultural developments of the last 50 years and will address culture and the arts in the age of globalization
B. Students will be exposed to a variety of art forms – including literature, drama, music, visual arts, film, and television. Students may also study theorists who attempt to define the important characteristics and directions of contemporary culture.
C. Students will understand the elements of the basic art forms presented and their interrelationships of these art forms.
D. Students will develop the basic analytical and critical vocabulary associated with the art forms studied.
E. Students will study cultural and intellectual works studied in relation to their historical, social, political, and economic contexts.
F. Students will develop skills for understanding and evaluating new developments in the arts.
G. Students will develop an appreciation for the rich cultural diversity of our contemporary global culture.
V. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
· cheating,
· plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
· falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
· helping others to cheat,
· unauthorized changes on official documents,
· pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
· making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
· any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
Also see below #11 in Course Practices.
VI. Outline of Topics:. I reserve the right to amend this outline and students will receive sufficient advance announcements of any changes.
Mark Katz: Capturing Sound
Recorded Sound vs. Music
Muzak
Music Technology
Garage Band
Neil Ashley, ed: Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times
(ISBN 1-40135926-4)
Glenn Yefeth, ed. Taking the Red Pill: Science, Philosophy and Religion in The Matrix (ISBN 1-932100-02-4)
Nicholas Cook: Music: A Very Short Introduction (ISBN 0-10-285382-1)
Marjane Satrapi: The Complete Persepolis
The last four of the above list are the required texts for this class. They are representative of music, poetry, drama, philosophy, current events, painting, sculpture architecture . Further, they have been chosen for their individuality as well and their ability to spark many other topics. Let’s see where we can go!
VII. Methods of Instruction:
IV. Lecture and Discussion
V. Small group work
VI. Analysis of assigned sources
VIII. Course Practices Required:
1. Attendance and Tardiness:
Regular attendance is mandatory. If you must missed numerous classes due to work or religious observations please speak with me ASAP. Perhaps you should consider another section where attendance might not be mandatory. This class starts promptly so the wise and prepared student should plan on arriving before this time. If you are more than 10 minutes late you will be counted as absent. More than 2 late arrivals may negatively influence your grade by one full level. If you arrive after I have taken attendance (not later than 10 minutes) please see me after class and I will register you present.
Classes meeting twice a week: If you miss more than 4 classes you will FAIL the course. In this case you may not use extra credit to make up for absences.
Classes meeting once a week: If you miss more than 4 classes you will fail the course, regardless if you use extra credit to make up for absences.
Many materials and resources are available only during class, such as additional handouts.. Events missed due to absence are not allowed to be made up. Late assignments will be accepted but you may not be late more than two weeks for listening logs. This will be discussed further in class. Students are allowed to make up for an absence (refer to Extra Credit Handout). No student will receive an A with any absences or lateness. Students must make arrangements with me personally to have extra work credited against absences. There are no exceptions.
Now that you have read this section, please re-read it so that you are sure you understand it. I strictly enforce this policy.
2. Preparation and Class Participation
Students are expected to attend class prepared to engage in serious academic work. It is not acceptable to come to class without having read and assimilated the assigned material.
The course involves a lot of reading and writing. You will be expected to spend 3-5 hours per week minimally on homework, There is no research paper required but in accordance with the standards of Oakton Community College, each student will produce at least 15 pages of college level written work. Written assignments will total more than 15 pages and will be given in the form of a Listening Log during the semester. See handout on Listening Logs.
For emphasis, it is not acceptable to come to class unprepared. Prepared means all assignments completed ready to turn in and text books, notebooks and writing tools accompanying you.
3. Quizzes and Tests
Please see “Thoughts on Teaching, Learning and the Classroom” posted on my website.
I feel that traditional testing is counterproductive to what I hope happens in the class. The study of the arts should encourage wonder, self knowledge and critical thinking. These goals are finally not assessable through traditional testing. Therefore I utilize other types of assessment tools: observation, student responses in class, portfolios, homework, group projects, papers, journals, extra credit opportunities.
4. I will not allow students to attend this class whose names do not appear on my class list.
5. The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sec, sexual orientation or marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services or employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or demeaning those who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups/
6. Please take care of your personal needs before class. It is disruptive and disrespectful to get up and leave during the class. Leaving during class is not appropriate classroom behavior and may negatively influence your grade. See Guidelines for Self Evaluation below.
7. Food and beverages are not allowed in class.
8. Turn off all electronic devices which includes phones ,pagers and laptops and put them away for the duration of class. Under No Circumstance should you answer your cell phone or check for messages during class. Use of these devices at any time during class constitutes automatic failure of the class The is ABSOLUTELY an electronic device-free classroom.. In the event of an emergency please contact me before class.
9. I do not give incompletes.
10. Extra Credit will be given. See Extra Credit Handout.
11. Please consult the document “What is Plagiarism” posted on my website. Plagiarism is a very serious offense and one which I strictly enforce. If you are caught plagiarizing you will be required to sign a “Faculty Resolution of an Academic Integrity Complaint” and the best grade you can expect to earn is a D. Copies of this signed document will be given to the originating faculty member, student, division dean and Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs will retain this report for three years. If you decline to sign this document I will file an official complaint . The result of this complain will be a hearing with the Vice President for Student Affairs or his or her designee who will process the complaint about the violation.
IX. Instructional Materials
Required Texts: Philip V. Bohlman: World Music: A Very Short Introduction \
Nicholas Cook: Music: A Very Short Introduction
David Margolick: Strange Fruit: Biography of a Song
X. Methods of Evaluation:
1. A grade of A is reserved for truly excellent work, not simply good work.
2. Class events will be averaged.and will constitute 25% of your grade . Midterm and final events are not cumulative. If you miss the midterm or final event you will automatically fail the class.
3. Homework assignments will constitute 50% of your grade. You are expected to produce written assignments which must be at the college level. Toward that end you will complete a daily music listening log. See handout on listening logs. I will accept late work but you may not be more than two weeks behind on Listening Logs. This will be discussed in class.
4. Class Participation constitutes 25% of your grade. This will be explained in class.
5. See handout on extra credit.
XI. Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Note: In emergency situations, alternate arrangements to this syllabus can be made. I reserve the right to alter any part of this syllabus.
ADDITIONS
Guidelines for Self Evaluation
Read this section very, very careflully. This is a summary of our class discussion regarding self evaluations
Student ______
Date ______
Guidelines for Self Evaluation
Dr. Karen E. Petersen
Music/Humanities
June 2008
This document is a summary of my grading policy. Also please consult my
“Thoughts on Teaching and the Classroom” posted on my website.
College attendance IS NOT an expensive business transaction. Do not make the mistake in thinking that because you are paying for “something” you are therefore entitled to an expected result – a good grade. Students who take my class earn their grades.
Do not expect to have your grades handed to you. This course requires a lot of work and engagement.
C D F
If you have completed all assignments this is satisfactory work – C _____
If you are missing any assignments this is less than satisfactory work – D/F. No exceptions. _____
If you have been present for all classes or have made up for absences and lates this is satisfactory work –C ______
If you have been attentive in class this is satisfactory work – C. ______
If you plagiarize this is not satisfactory – D/F. ______
If your classroom behavior is not satisfactory because:
Ø You were asked to stop talking ______
Ø You ask inappropriate questions stemming from being unprepared therefore wasting class time. ______
Ø You yawn loudly during class. ______
Ø You sleep during class ______
Ø You left during class ______
Ø You were disrespectful or uncooperative toward your classmates or teacher ______
Ø You talk when music is playing ______
Ø You do homework for other classes during our class time ______
Ø You display any electronic device during class ______
Ø You missed class events due to absences ______
Ø Were asked to leave class for any of the above ______
This is less than satisfactory work – D/F ______
If you are late for or miss your self evaluation meeting this is not satisfactory – F ______
B
If you have earned a C as described above ______
If you have more than 3 but less than a majority of check pluses for listening logs ______
If you have demonstrated extra effort in your assignments and have done some extra credit as discussed with me ______
This is good work – B. ______
A
As stated in the syllabus a grade of A is reserved for truly excellent work
If
Ø Your work is consistently outstanding ( a majority of check pluses) ______
Ø Your class participation is outstanding ______
Ø Your attendance is perfect ______
Ø You have distinguished yourself in a way that I have recognized
_____
This is truly excellent work – A
You will not earn an A if:
Ø You have any absences or lates ______
Ø Have incomplete work ______
HERE ARE THE FINAL BIG QUESTIONS;
How will you show me you have done the class reading when there have been no tests or quizzes on them – only discussion and you said nothing?
How will you DISTINGUISH yourself with your participation and work?
Humanities/Music Portfolio Guidelines
Generally defined, your portfolio represents the sum of your work for the course. It is a set of creative pieces collected together in a creative binder to show your relationship to the material we have covered in class. Notice that I have used the word “creative” twice in one sentence. I have done so for emphasis.