HUM 109 World Arts & Culture - Syllabus
Course:
Schedule:
Instructor:
HUM 109: World Arts & Culture (5 Credits)
M/W 8-11am, Jan 5-March 9
Rachel Smith
Course Description:
Provides a study of literature, poetry, visual art, film, theatre, music and history in cultures around the
world by comparing differences and similarities across cultures. An appreciation of diversity is
emphasized through an analysis of personal cultural biases and how biases influence the way other
cultures are judged and valued. A cross-cultural inspection of topics surrounding family, gender, race, class
and customs are critiqued through the use of art and its cultural impact through the perspectives of
history, politics, philosophy, aesthetics, religion, anthropology, sociology and literature. Addressing these
subjects through the perspective of art allows for critical evaluation and appreciation of human values,
beliefs and self-identity.
Course Objectives:
 Critically evaluate and apply topic material.
 Collect, interpret and evaluate topics via research, readings & discussion.
 Investigate diversity through the recognition and examination of cultures and art worldwide.
 Critique art & culture through the perspectives of history, politics, philosophy, aesthetics, religion,
anthropology, sociology and literature.
 Assess how human values, beliefs and self-identity are reflected in art and culture.
Required Materials
 Text Book: One World, Many Cultures by Stuart & Terry Hirschberg; 8th edition.
 Paper for taking notes during lecture.
 Handouts or additional readings will be distributed in class as needed.
Assignments
In addition to participating in class discussions, students will be responsible for: reading all handouts or
assigned readings from the textbook, a search paper, weekly writing assignment, tests and quizzes.
Attendance & Participation
Class attendance is mandatory. Two unexcused absences will be allowed and students are responsible for
making up any work missed during class on their own time. Unexcused absences beyond the two
permitted will result in a deduction of 5% from your total grade, per unexcused absences. Late arrivals or
early departures will be noted and counted as half of an absence.
You are expected to be an active engaged participant in class. This requires that you have prepared
adequately for discussions or have done the assigned readings in advance. Late work will receive a
deduction of half the total points.
Policy on Plagiarism
Instructors for the course assume that you will do honest work and that you will do work that is your own.
Plagiarism is a serious matter with serious consequences. Using someone else’s work as your own in any
form will be considered plagiarism. Instructors will respond in one of two ways depending on the depth
and nature of the offense: You may be asked to repeat the project using your own ideas and work. OR You
may be assigned a failing grade for the course.
GRADING SCALE
A
100-93%
A92-90%
B+
89-87%
B
86-82%
B81-80%
C+
79-77%
C
CD+
D
DF
76-72%
71-70%
69-67%
66-62%
61-60%
Under 60%
GRADING
Participation
Reading Responses
Research Paper
Exams
10 pts
20 pts
35 pts
35 pts
Research Paper:
Choose a topic that you would like to research and critique that relates to an aspect of art and culture outside
of the United States. Develop a thesis statement that will be the basis for all of your research. Review pages
1-27 in One World, Many Cultures for guidance in researching, developing and writing your paper. (See
handout for more details.)
Weekly Reading Response:
Each Wednesday you will turn in a weekly response paper 1-1 ½ pages in length. Choose an essay or essays
from the assigned weekly readings that you will respond to. Each response will require a paragraph
summary of the essay as well as a 1-2 paragraph response that shows a critical examination of the essay. Feel
free to use multiple essays from the same section as examples to compare and contrast. Questions at the end
of each essay can be used to help focus your writing if needed. The questions are not required and if they are
used as guides please write your responses in paragraph form rather than singular answers to the questions.
Typed responses are encouraged, but not required and if you write your response by hand please do so
legibly.
Calendar:
Calendar is subject to change and will be announced during class time. Please have the pages read by the
class date it is assigned on.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Monday, Jan 5:
Introduction/Syllabi
Lecture Topic: Making Meaning/Semiotics
Wednesday, Jan 7:
Lecture Topic: Making Meaning/Semiotics Continued
Reading Topic: FAMILY pg. 28-82
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Jan 12:
Lecture Topic: Understanding Signs/Cultural Construction
Reading Topic: Turning Points pg. 83-133
Wednesday, Jan 14:
Lecture Topic: Perception
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Jan 19:
MLK Day – No Class
Wednesday, Jan 21:
Lecture Topic: Gender
Reading Topic: GENDER pg. 134-189
Research Day (Coffeen/LSC if available)
Due: Topic Chosen for Research Paper
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Jan 26:
Lecture Topic: Gender Continued
Wednesday, Jan 28:
Lecture Topic: Review Day
Reading Topic: WORK Pg.190-229
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Feb 2:
Mid-Term Exam
Wednesday, Feb 4:
Lecture Topic: Photography
Reading Topic: RACE/CLASS pg. 230-275
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Feb 9:
Lecture Topic: Photography Continued
Due: First Draft of Research Paper
Wednesday, Feb 11:
Lecture Topic: The Other
Reading Topic: CULTURAL EXPERIENCE pg. 276-336
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10:
Monday, Feb 16:
Due: Reading Response
Presidents’ Day – No Class
Wednesday, Feb 18:
Lecture Topic: The Other Continued
Due: Reading Response
Monday, Feb 23:
Lecture Topic: Values
Reading Topic: FOOD pg. 338-388
Wednesday, Feb 25:
Lecture Topic: Values Continued
Due: Reading Response
Monday, March 2:
Lecture Topic: Review Day
Reading Topic: CUSTOMS, RITUALS pg 389-434
Wednesday March 4:
Final Exam
Due: Reading Response
Due: Final Research Paper
Monday, March 9:
Final Grades/Movie
Due: Reading Response