Humanities 103
Introduction to the Humanities III
The Twentieth Century
Room 121 11:30 Daily
Instructor: Jon Stratton
SOME WORKS IN THIS COURSE CONTAIN PROFANITY
Texts (all in the WWCC Bookstore):
The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Of Love and Shadows, Isabel Allende
“REBELLION, THOUGH APPARENTLY NEGATIVE, SINCE IT CREATES
NOTHING, IS PROFOUNDLY POSITIVE IN THAT IT REVEALS THE PART OF
MAN WHICH MUST ALWAYS BE DEFENDED.” Albert Camus, “The Rebel”
WHAT THE CLASS IS ABOUT
Rebellion is the protest against what is in the name of what must be. Our course focuses
on the theme of rebellion in several important twentieth century works. Albert Camus’
essay, “The Rebel” is the central text; we use his description of rebellion as our basis for
interpreting everything we see, read, hear, discuss, and write about during the quarter.
HOW THE CLASS WORKS
There are five components of the class; lectures, reading, viewing, writing and
discussion.
 Lectures take place about ten times during the quarter.
 There are four major reading assignments in the course; three full length
novels and one essay.
 Viewing movies takes place three times during the quarter.
 Artworks are viewed once during the quarter.
 Music is listened to once during the quarter.
 Reader’s Theatre takes place about ten times during the quarter.
 There are five “Rebellion” papers assigned; these are two page minimum
length essays on the relationship between the novels, films, and artworks
we study and the concepts we discover in Camus’ “The Rebel.”
 The Word of the Day assignment is partial preparation for the final exam.
ASSIGNMENTS and GRADES
 Word for the day assignment. Every day a word is written on the board.
Students bring a definition and sentence using the word to class the next
day and turn it in as they enter the room. This is never accepted late, and
the student must attend the class session in order to earn credit. These are
not returned. The final exam will ask for definitions and sentences of
these words. The word for the day assignment counts for 25% of your
grade.
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“Rebellion of” papers are assigned six times during the quarter. These
two page minimum essays ask you to explain elements of Camus’ ideas
you identify in the novels, films, and artworks we study. “Rebellion of”
papers count for 50% of your grade. If they are turned in up to three class
days after they are due, they cannot earn a grade higher than B. If they are
turned in after six class days, they cannot earn a grade higher than C.
There is no credit for papers turned in after six class days.
Readers’ Theatre assignments ask you to participate in readers’ theatre
(reading aloud) in class. Readers’ theatre participation is encouraged, but
not required. Students who read well and regularly will earn “extra credit”
for the course.
Word of the Day quizzes are given every other Friday. They are very brief
objective quizzes on the words of the day. The five quizzes count as 10%
of your final grade.
The final exam will ask objective questions on approximately 30 of the
words of the day. The final will also require at least one short essay. The
final exam counts for 15% of your grade.
Attendance at the WWC Theatre Arts production Da will earn extra credit
for those who turn in the required essay and ticket stub. (May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9,
10 and @ 8:00 PM and May 11 @ 2:00)
Important things for your success
 Attend every class session. Do not cut this class, ever. If you are planning on
cutting class, you should drop early and get your money back from the business
office. If you have an appointment or other activity that keeps you from coming
to class, you can usually pick up an assignment in advance.
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Class sessions are work sessions. Arrive on time, be prepared, and participate.
You can socialize and have fun in a lot of places, but not in class. We are here to
work on the meaning of our cultural heritage.
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Turn in your assigned work on time. Procrastination is saying no to the energy of
life.
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Turn in all of the written assignments on time!
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Turn off any electronic devices, including laptops and cells.
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Avoid distracting behavior (for example, leaving the room once class has started,
whispering, eating, or making rude comments). Keep in mind that this course is
important to everyone in it. Your fellow students have paid tuition for this course
with the intention of learning about our cultural heritage, earning Humanities
credit, and graduating from WWCC. The instructor may lower your grade
considerably for any distracting behavior on your part.
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Turning in any work that is not your own will result in either failing or dropping
the entire course. Cheating is an exhibition of weakness of soul. Avoid it.