OAKTONCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE
GENERICCOURSESYLLABUS
I.
Course
Prefix
Course
Number
Course
Name
HUM
120
Western Culture and the Arts:
Beginnings through the Middle
Ages
Credit
Lecture
Lab
3
0
3
II. Prerequisites:
None
III. Course (Catalog) Description:
Course surveys cultural accomplishments of Western civilization from its beginnings in
Mesopotamia through the Middle Ages. Content includes visual arts, music, literature,
theater, architecture, and philosophy studied in historical context. IAI HF 902
IV. Learning Objectives:
After completing this class, the student will be able to do the following:
A. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the major cultural eras covered
B. Define the basic vocabulary needed to discuss cultural achievements.
C. Recognize major works of art and identify the stylistic period within which
representative works of art were produced.
D. Discuss, compare, and evaluate representative works of literature and philosophy
produced within this period.
E. Restate and critique the values expressed in the religious, philosophical and
literary texts of this period, and discuss the current relevance of these values.
F. Explain the rich cultural and religious diversity within Western civilization including Classical, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions – and explain the
interactions among these traditions.
G. Present and debate conflicting cultural interpretations of the Western tradition.
H. Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the pedagogy of
shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities and philosophy.
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),
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HUM 120
 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.
VI. Outline of Topics
(This is a sample outline of topics. In this section the instructor will present a similar outline
that fulfills the learning objectives. This outline will include the dates when specific topics
will be covered, when exams will be given, and when papers and projects are due.)
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Defining Western Culture……Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient
Phoencia . . . Selections from The Epic of Gilgamesh and from
Enheduanna
Ancient Egypt
Aegean Civilizations . . . Selections from Homer and Sappho
Classical Greek Civilization: Hellenic Age
Selections from Greek Tragedy and from Thucydides
Selections from Plato and Aristotle
Classical Greek Civilization: The Hellenistic Age . . . Selections from
Epicurus
Classical Roman Civilization. . . Selections from Cicero, Vergil, and
Apuleius
Judaism and the Rise of Christianity . . . Selections from the Torah and
the Gospels
Late Rome, Byzantium, and the Early Medieval West Civilization . . .
Selections from Augustine, Anna Comnena, and Boethius
The Rise of Islam . . . Selections from the Koran
Selections from Ibn Kaldun, Ibn Rushd, and Rumi
The High Middle Ages
Selections from Arthurian Romances, Aquinas, and Dante
The Late Middle Ages . . . Selections from Petrarch, Chaucer, De Pizan
Final Discussion of what is Western culture
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HUM 120
VII. Methods of Instruction:
The course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
The course will involve lectures, as well as seminar style discussions and small group
activities. Student will listen to music, view slides, and when appropriate, view
sections of videos. Students will be expected to participate actively and to come
prepared for discussion.
VIII.
Course Practices Required:
(Please include information here about all expectations you have for your students
regarding behavior, work, etc. The following are sample topics you may wish to cover.
Please be aware that you must require students in this course to produce at least 15
pages of critical writing over the course of the semester. These may be assigned in a
variety of ways including essays, journals, response papers, etc.)
Examples of requirements:






Attendance and participation
Quizzes/Exams
Essays
Standards for written work
Final Project
Special policies about make-up exams, late papers, or other matters of concern
IX. Instructional Materials:
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on Oakton’s
Schedule of Classes.
The Western Humanities Volume I: Beginnings through the Renaissance. Matthews and
Platt. Current edition.
Readings in the Western Humanities Volume I. Matthews and Platt. Current edition.
Supplementary readings from other primary sources as well as selections presenting
debates on cultural interpretation.
X.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
(In this section, please present the percentages or point breakdown for all the elements
of the final grade. Please note that at least 40% of the grade must be based on written
work rather than exams, presentations, etc.)
For example:
Quizzes/Exams…..40 points
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HUM 120
Journals/Essays…..40 points
Final Project………10 points
Attendance and Participation…..10 points
Grading Scale. 90% - 100% = A // 80% - 89% = B // 70% - 79% = C // 60% - 69% = D
// below 60 = F
XI.
Other Course Information:
A. 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 Access and Disability Resource Center at
the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. 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.
B. Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, 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 (myself included) 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 the people 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.
C. Instructor information
Office number and office hours:
Phone number:
Email and website:
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HUM 120
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term:
Fall 2013
Ending term:
Syllabus prepared by: Hollace Graff
Date: March 2006
Revised by:
Date: June 2010
Hollace Graff
Reviewed by Chair:
Hollace Graff
Date: July 2010
Approval by Dean:
Linda Korbel
Date
June 2013