Introduction to the Humanities 22720
HUM 1020 Wednesday 7:00 pm Rm 2-304B
Syllabus
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Spring 2015, 3 credit hours
Instructor: Jonathan Landwer
E-mail: jlandwer1@valenciacollege.edu
Room 2-304B
Course Description
 This course is a basic introduction to the humanities that focuses on central concepts, historical
developments, and the fundamental nature of philosophy, architecture, music, religion, and art.
Concepts from these disciplines will be integrated with contemporary American culture. There is no
prerequisite for this course.
Textbook
Landmarks in Humanities
By Gloria K. Fiero
3rd Edition
Student Learning Outcomes
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Upon completion, Valencia students will ultimately understand “the interrelationship of humankind with
its desire to create art—something that began when our ancestors still lived in caves,” and in doing so,
We will gain an appreciation of what humankind is capable of when creating responses to the wonders
of life and how the many manifestations of our artistic output follow social, political, and religious
events.
We all will be challenged to accept the responsibilities shared by humankind as we all embrace that
which “is reflected in different cultures [and] is something of ourselves, the objects of beauty and
delight, the weapons and wars, the melodies and harmonies, the sometimes troubling but always
penetrating thought from which we spring.”
We will become critical thinkers, and in doing so, we will realize that “to explore the Humanities is to
explore ourselves, to understand how and why we have changed over time, even as we have in so
many ways, remained the same.”
Grading Scale
90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Grading
The final grade will be calculated on a point system as follows: (This will be our
contract Assignment
Possible
Points
2 Test (150 each)
300 points
1 Final Exam
200 points
1 Writing Assignments
100 points
10 Quizzes (20 pts each)
200 points
Class Participation
200
Total
1000
Extra Credit – Attendance to a cultural event-Museum, Play, Dance, etc
25 points
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Your
Points
To figure out your grade at any time, add up your total points and divide them by the total possible
points you could have as of the latest deadlines.
All students are required to keep all graded materials, including extra credit, for the course until after
they have received their final course grade.
Students should save all typed assignments on their computer or on disc until after grades have posted
in order to ensure that no problems arise.
Ways to Earn Your Participation, Quizzes and Extra Credit Points
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The instructor will keep track of your participation in this class. Completing homework assignments,
contributing to discussions and class exercises count in your total participation.
Quizzes
o Short quizzes will be given out at any time during class.
o All students are required to complete and turn in all quizzes in class on the day they are given
out, immediately upon completion. On-line quizzes to be completed by next class.
o There are no make-up quizzes for any reason, if you are not present at the time they are given
out, you do not get to take that quiz.
o The quizzes will consist of 10-20 multiple choice questions.
o In studying for these quizzes, students should focus on the chapter/reading assignment.
Extra Credit (Power Point)
o 25 extra credit points will be available for students visiting a museum, attend a play, ballet,
opera, or classical music concert or recital and writing a short, one page response paper. Event
must be preapproved by Professor. Proof of attendance will be required.
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Writing Assignments
o A 2-3 page analysis essay is required and the subject will be announced in class during the first
week.
o Note that class guidelines for Student Conduct and Plagiarism apply to this assignment and
students who violate either set of guidelines will receive a zero (0) for all of their participation
grades in the class.
o Grades will be based on how well the student integrates the article with the theories and
concepts studied in class or in the readings, how well the student understands and explains the
subject, and how well the paper is written in terms of sentence structure, grammar, and spelling.
Ability to follow MLA writing format is essential. All articles used in the assignments must be
cited correctly.
Attendance
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Regular attendance is mandatory.
Attendance at all lectures and exams is mandatory with the rarely approved exception of personal
emergencies of a serious or unavoidable nature.
o These are generally limited to: Illness, death within the immediate family, participation in an
official school-approved activity as official members of a team or group or as designated
representatives, court-ordered appearances, non-deferrable directives from a draft board or
military authority, or similar justifications of an authoritative nature that are beyond individual
control or deferment and distinctly not personal convenience, choice, or preference.
o All excuses require documentation to be accepted.
o Signing the attendance sheet is your responsibility. Its proof that you were there. If you come in
late or moved your seat while the sheet was circulating and didn’t sign it, you will be counted as
absent.
o Only two (2) absences are permitted. We cover too much content to miss classes.
Make-ups
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There are no make-up quizzes in this class for any reason.
Students who miss an in-class assignment may obtain the work they missed from other students or
from the instructor.
Students may make up exams only with legitimate documentation.
The student is 100% responsible for all arrangements for any make-up exams, which must be
completed prior to the final exam review session.
Withdrawal
If you withdraw from class before or on the posted withdraw date you will receive a “W.” If you do not withdraw by this
date you are obligated to complete the course and you will be assigned the grade you earn. If you fail to take the final
exam, you will automatically receive a final course grade of “F” according to college policy.
If a student does not regularly participate in the class activities, the instructor may withdraw the student from the class and
assign a "W" grade before the drop date. Also note that students on Bright Futures scholarship who withdraw or are
withdrawn from a class must pay the college for the cost of the class (because the college must refund that cost to the
State).
Incomplete Grades
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Incomplete grades may be given only under special circumstances where a student who is passing a
course has not completed all of the required work.
Students who are given an incomplete are responsible for all contact with the instructor after receiving
the "I" grade and are 100% responsible for turning in all assignments and taking all exams in a timely
manner.
Academic Honesty
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Cheating will not be tolerated and will be cause for an automatic “F” on the pertinent assignment and
possibly in the course. When taking tests or quizzes, keep your eyes on your own paper. If the
instructor sees your eyes wander, he may reseat you or take your paper away, resulting in an
automatic “F.” If you have the habit of looking around the room and at other people’s papers during a
test or quiz, you need to break that habit. From the front desk it all looks like cheating! Plagiarism,
taking credit for another’s work, will not be allowed under any circumstances.
Valencia Policy Concerning Classroom Behavior
Classroom Behavior:
Valencia Community College is dedicated to promoting honorable personal and social conduct. By enrolling at
Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the rules articulated in the Student
Code of Conduct (6Hx28:10-03). The instructor reserves the right to refer students who engage in activities
that are disruptive to the learning environment to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. The following list,
though not exhaustive, includes things which are disruptive to the learning environment:
 Use of any electronic devices
 Preparing homework for other courses during class.
 Engaging in private conversations with classmates while class is in session.
 Excessive tardiness
 Leaving and re-entering the classroom while the class is in session.
In addition, Valencia Community College strives to provide a drug-free learning environment for all those
involved in the academic experience. Our policy is as follows:
Policy:
In compliance with the provisions of the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of
1989, Valencia Community College will take such steps as are necessary in order to adopt
and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs
and alcohol by Valencia Community College students or employees on college premises or
as part of any college activity.
General Observances:
 All cell phones, iPods, laptop computers (unless you have paperwork from the OSD) and other
technological gadgets must be turned OFF prior to entering the classroom and remain off and put
away while class is in session. Anyone who is seen texting during class has clearly violated this
policy, and after the second warning will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
 Leaving and re-entering the classroom while class is in session will not be tolerated. If a student
leaves the room while class is in session, he/she should take all their possessions with them and
not return. This policy helps to preserve the learning environment of the classroom.
 Anyone who demonstrates an inability to arrive to class on time will be withdrawn by the instructor
after the third tardy. The instructor’s records, not the student’s recollections, will be the determining
factor in resolving disputes concerning tardiness.
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Anyone who habitually interrupts the instructor while she is talking by talking to others, or exhibits
any other type of discourteous behavior, will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary
action.
Late work will not be accepted by the instructor via email. It must be received in hard copy and be
submitted with a “Late Pass.”
Late work is marked down 10% for each class period that it is late, regardless of excuses.
There are no make-ups on chapter quizzes.
A make-up on a major test is allowed one time during the semester for each student, but with
proper documentation for absence.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus during the semester as he deems
necessary.
ATTENDANCE IS MANDITORY!
Statement of Student Conduct
Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but
is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at
Valencia Community College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and
abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom
environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result
in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class. Violation of any
classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from
Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation,
suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of
Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.
I have read and understand the Humanities syllabus.
Instructor: Jonathan Landwer
Student:
Print Name______________________________ Signed _______________________________ Date:_______