ID 11 Civilization: The Human Experience
Suffolk County Community College
Fall 2007, Sections 1703/1704
Instructors: Dr. Virginia Walker, Dr. Gertrude Postl
Time: M/W 9:30-10:45
Location: Room 30, Southampton Building
Contacts:
Prof. Postl:
Prof. Walker:
Office: 120, Southampton Building,
Office: 117, Southampton Building
Tel.: 451-4513 (Main Office: 451-4093)
Tel: 451-4093
Office Hours: M/W2:00-3:00, T/T 10:00-11:00
Office Hours: by appt.
postlg@sunysuffolk.edu
walkerv@sunysuffolk.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Mathews and Platt, The Western Humanities, Vol.I, 6th ed., Mc Graw Hill, 2007.
Matthews and Platt, Readings in the Western Humanities, Vol. I, 6th ed., McGraw Hill,
2007.
GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To encourage appreciation of the integrated nature of human experience.
2. To enable the student to understand the cultural origins of Westerners by
examining specific historical moments in the chronology of Western Civilization.
3. To assist the student in becoming aware of the role and importance of facets of
civilization including art, music, drama, literature, philosophy, politics, and social
and religious institutions.
4. To develop evaluative, critical, and logical skills in the students, through their
dealings with diverse materials, expressed in writing and in speaking in class
discussions.
5. To encourage the student toward greater participation in the varied cultural
experiences available at the college and in the surrounding area.
6. To help the student learn to write about the arts using appropriate terms and
concepts.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
The successful student will be able to do the following:
1. Explain the general geographical, historical, and cultural background of each of
the three periods examined.
2. Explain generally the theories of Plato and of Aristotle.
3. Distinguish between Greek and Roman culture.
4. Explain the characteristics that contributed to the longevity of the Roman Empire,
such as law, architecture, the military, administration, politics, religion, and
literature.
5. Show the effects of the Church on art, music, literature and politics.
6. Explain the contribution of Charlemagne and the Carolingian era to the
development of Western Culture.
7. Identify the factors that led to changes in the social structure of the pre-modern
Europe.
8. Explain the dissolution of the medieval Synthesis and the growing emphasis on
humanism which led to the Renaissance.
9. Describe the differing values that distinguish the three periods studied.
10. Discern values and assumptions of a culture embodied in the arts.
PROCEDURES FOR MEETING THESE OBJECTIVES
The instructors will use lectures, class discussions, slides, films, demonstrations,
performances, seminars, and cultural excursions.
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE
1. Read text and other materials by the assigned date.
2. Participate intelligently in class discussions; do not engage in disruptive behavior.
3. Submit papers and other written assignments when due. Late papers will be
penalized by a lower grade.
4. Take three exams on the assigned date. N.B.: DO NOT MISS THESE EXAMS.
5. Visit museum and complete questionnaire and essay questions.
GRADES—Most probable calculation method:
Three Examinations N.B. DO NOT MISS.
45%
Each exam will have two parts:
a: Literature/Art (will be in two sections) Prof. Walker
b: Philosophy/History
Prof. Postl
Papers: Either two short papers (15% plus 15%) or one longer paper which involves all
course aspects (30%);
Museum Visit and Assignment
20%
Class Participation
up to
5%
Paper Due dates to be announced.
All Papers MUST Be Typed
POLICY ON ABSENCE AND LATENESS
In accordance with College Policy, the student may be dropped after the third absence.
Three lates will count as one absence. Any make ups must be pre approved and will only
be given on one assigned date within one week of the exam. Make ups may be more
difficult than missed exam.
PLAGIARISM
“In writing, students must fully acknowledge the source of any paraphrased passages and
any ideas which they have borrowed. Failure to conform to these academic standards is
plagiarism and may result in a failing grade for the course and/or serious disciplinary
sanctions as outlined in the Code of Conduct” (SCCC Catalog, p.69). Plagiarism of any
kind will result in a “0” for the assignment in question and in repeated cases in an “F” for
the course. Severe cases will be reported to the Dean of Students Office.
WEEKLY LECTURES AND GENERAL OUTLINE OF TOPICS
Any changes will be announced or distributed. Please pay attention to the professors’
weekly and daily reading assignments in both main text and readings text.
In general, for Prof. Walker always read the literature and art sections and study all art
illustrations in relevant chapters.
Exam dates are listed. Do not miss them!
Paper assignments and exact due dates will be announced and distributed.
Weeks
Dates
Topics
GREEK PERIOD
I
Aug 27, 29
Orientation
Early Greek History (pp.35-46);
II Sept. 5, 10
from Mythology to Philosophy; the Pre-Socratics;
Film: Greek Fire;
III Sept. 12, 17
Literature -- excerpts: Homer: Iliad & Odyssey, Sappho;
Archaic Art (also film), continued lit;
IV Sept 19, 24
Hellenic and Hellenistic Greek History (pp.63-68; 93-95);
Philosophy: Plato, The Republic (Cave Allegory), Phaedo;
Aristotle, Politics;
V Sept. 26, Oct.1
Philosophy cont.
Classical Art (also film);
VI Oct. 3
Greek Theatre: Oedipus, Aristotle, Poetics;
Review;
VII. Oct 8
Exam
ROMAN PERIOD
VII Oct. 10
Roman History (pp.119-129)
VIII Oct, 15, 17
Philosophy: Epicurus, Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism);
Roman Art (also film); Mythology;
IX Oct 22, 24
Roman Literature: Cicero, Vergil, Horace, Ovid, Juvenal;
Roman Art Late (also film);
X Oct. 29, 31,
Late Roman History and Early Christianity (pp.183 -188,198-208);
Early Christian Literature and Philosophy: New Testament,
Eusebius; St. Augustine, The City of God, Confessions;
Review;
Note Well: Paper may be due. Final Date to be announced.
XI Nov. 5
Exam
MEDIEVAL PERIOD
XI Nov 7
Early Medieval History (pp.208-211);
XII Nov 14,19
Literature/ Romanesque Art (also film);
Anna Comnena, Boethius, Einhard, Song of Roland;
XIII Nov 26, 28
High and Late Medieval History (pp. 247-259, 285-293);
Gothic Art (also film)
Note Well: Paper May Be Due. Final Date to be announced.
XIV Dec 3, 5
Literature: de Troyes, de France, Dante, Petrarch;
Philosophy: St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica;
Note Well: Walker Museum Project Paper due.
XV Dec. 10, 12
Late Medieval Literature: Chaucer, de Pizan;
Foundations for the Renaissance;
Review;
XV Dec 17
Exam
(Make-Up Day if necessary)
October 29, Last Day for Mid semester Withdrawal to get W
The above suggested readings in literature are subject to change. Please pay attention to
the assigned readings from the Reader given in class.
Please pay attention to the Text reading assignments when they are given in class. Some
of the above lectures may not be in perfect sequence historically. Please refer to text
timelines for dating sequences.