Dixie State University of Utah: Fall 2013
Humanities 1010: Intro to the Humanities- The Early Western World
Section 53 M 5:15-7:45 Holland 476 CRN 46623
INSTRUCTOR: Emily Andrade
Office: Tech
Office Hours: MWF 11:00am-1:30pm
Email: andrade@dixie.edu
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: The Art of Being Human: The Humanities as a Technique for Living, Richard Paul Janaro and Thelma C.
Altshuler, 10th ed.
Other required readings and videos are posted on Canvas, as well as TED.com. You will need to read or watch them and prepare for
class by printing them off and bringing them to class on the day assigned. So, you will need access to the internet, Canvas and a
printer.
REQUIRED VIEWING: You will be required to attend a Dixie State College theater, art or musical production.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course fulfills a General Education Humanities requirement. It can also be taken as an elective or as a background course for
majors in English, humanities, philosophies, and scientific developments in Western culture. Through examining such ideas and
events, we can see the traditional ways in which humans viewed their relationship with the past, with the future, with God, with
nature, with other humans, and with themselves.
We will be looking at a number of genres, including painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, drama and music. With these genres,
we will return again and again to the questions Why do people create? Why does art exist? Why do common themes, symbols and
stories exist in multiple civilizations throughout history? What does art do? In connection with these questions and their answers, we
will consider the following themes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Codes and Value Systems: What kinds of laws do we need? What kinds of behavior are acceptable?
Family Life and Growing Up
Love and Marriage: What is love? Is it okay to love? Who should we marry? Why should we marry?
The Hero: How does he exemplify a society’s values?
Woman’s Nature: Is she human? Good? Evil? Equal?
The Good Society: What is the good life?
Religion: Who or what is God or the gods?
Illusion and Reality: Is what we see real? Are there different ways of seeing?
Nature: How is the physical world represented?
War and Violence
Freedom: What is it? Is it worth fighting for?
Beauty: What is beautiful? What is the role of beauty in art and life?
Stories: What are they and what are their purposes?
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course focuses on the enduring creative expressions of humans that reflect our experiences, as well as our feelings and ideas
about ourselves, other humans, the past, and the universe.
The course aims to teach the connection between values and the humanities and encourages students to investigate their own values.
The course also provides a basic understanding of the compositional elements of each genre of art under discussion. This knowledge
will enable students to venture into interpretations of individual works of art, both in and out of the classroom.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate improvement in their ability to:
o
Understand cultural diversity.
o
Think critically about and discuss the interrelatedness of art, philosophy and events during historical periods.
o
Recognize that the study of humanities is a study of the creators of ideas, words, and artifacts; the artifacts themselves, and the
values those creators held.
o
Understand what moves humans to create and how their creations reflect their world views.
o
Understand how famous men and women have analyzed their own culture and, with those ideas, examine, affirm, and challenge
the patterns of thought in our own time.
o
Understand the relation between current issues and those of other times, places, and cultures.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
700
Points Possible
Your overall grade in the course will come from the following assignments and the points associated with them:
150
In Class Journal Prompts. Once every class we will respond, in writing, to a prompt for 10 minutes. You will be required to
keep a separate notebook for these prompts. Prompts may come from the readings, TED talks, questions on the board or other
sources. These prompts are designed to demonstrate your understanding of the artifact(s) you are writing about and your
critical thinking skills. Take these seriously as we will share these often, and they will be checked for completion. They also
may help you generate ideas for papers. Date them and keep them organized. These cannot be made up. Each entry must be
at least a page hand written. There are 15, each worth 10 points.
These prompts are in conjunction with participation, tardies and attendance. If you are late, do not attend or participate you
will lose prompt points.
150
MIDTERM. - (This Midterm has 3 parts to it. Discussion, notes and Reflection Essay.)
Discussion- Our midterm will be a class discussion in which you will prove you have learned and understood concepts,
vocabulary, art, philosophies and other major points from the semester. Speak at least 3 times, answering questions and
answering them. (Discussion will be unprompted and uninterrupted by instructor.) We will split the class in to two groups,
with each group discussing a different hour. Discussion worth 75 points
Notes- You will be required to bring 2 pages of TYPED notes. Notes are worth 25 points.
Reflection Essay – In 100 to 200 words you’ll reflect on your notes, preparation, what you have learned and thought up to
this point in the semester. Discuss your favorite art, least favorite, conclusions, and evaluations. Essay worth 50 points.
50
Paper. You will write one formal paper in this class. The Cultural Review (50 pts.) will be a review of a musical, art or
theater production held on campus. (1 pg)
150
Project. Who am I? Where am I from? Where am I going?
(1-4 paragraph explanation and defense of what you did and why required. Projects turned in without explanations will get
half points automatically. Explanations worth 25 pts.)
- This will be a personal philosophy/narrative project where you will answer at least ONE of the three questions using
sources, philosophies and views we discussed during the semester. Use TED talks too! Groups up to 3 people are permitted.
- Possible Format(s)- Choose a format to present your idea that will be challenging and fun for you and your audience. Such
formats could be: power point, prezzie, video, diorama, essay, food, creative story, poem, song, vase, painting, tapestry,
clothing, jewelry, mosaic, philosophical decree and so on. (If using works by other people, expand and transform them. Don't
just cut and paste. It's sloppy, lazy, not creative, and illegal. Ask me, if you're not sure.)
-You will present projects to the class, and turn in explanations in class (hardcopy required). Presentation worth 25 pts.
Project is worth 100.
–Consider such questions as:
What do the arts mean to me?
Do I follow a particular culture?
Do I belong where I am? Where should I be?
-You may take these questions literally, metaphorically, religiously, literarily, or creatively.
100
FINAL- In Class Essay. For the final you will write an In Class Essay, answering a question that will ask you to address a
theme, using three different works of art (of you own choosing) that represent at least two different genres and two different
time periods. It will take an hour.
100
Participation. Participation is essential in this course because of the nature of the subject matter. Your participation grade
will be measured by regular, appropriate contributions to class discussion, appropriate behavior in class (see the “Classroom
Etiquette” section of this document for what constitutes appropriate behavior), and completion of in-class assignments.
Grading Scale
A
94-100 %
A90-93
B+
87-89
B
84-86
B80-83
C+
77-79
C
74-76
C70-73
D+
67-69
D
DF
64-66
60-63
59 and below
TESTED UNITS
MIDTERM
Unit 1- 1. Humanities vocabulary (Chapters 1-2)
2. Religion (Chapter 10)
3. Myths, Legends, heroes, the Ancient World (Chapter 3)
Unit 1- 4. Greece
FINAL
Unit 3 - 5. Rome
Unit 4 - 6. The Middle Ages
Unit 5- 7. Current Humanities
COURSE POLICIES
Late Work
I do not accept late work. If you feel you may be unable to complete an assignment on time, please talk to me beforehand so that I can
assist you.
Absence Policy
The framework of this course—with its emphasis on class discussion and group work—demands that you attend class regularly.
Failure to complete in-class work, such as prompts, in-class writing assignments and group work, will result in the lowering of your
grade. Students who accumulate more than two weeks of absences over the course of the semester will automatically have their final
grades reduced. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
If you must miss class for a school-related event, please tell me as soon as possible. Then read and follow Dixie State’s “Policy for
Absences Related to College Functions”.
Classroom Etiquette
Disruptive behaviors, such as chatting during lectures, arriving late to class, sleeping, texting, web browsing, game playing, reading
non-class material, and others listed in the DSC Student Rights and Responsibilities Code, are not permitted and may result in your
removal from class. Repetitive or seriously disruptive behavior, such as fighting, using profanity or insults, making personal or
physical threats, or damaging property, will be reported to Campus Security. As the instructor, it is my responsibility to determine
whether any specific student is disrupting the learning environment. Cell phones and other digital devices must be turned off
during the lectures; please ask me if you want to use a tablet or computer for note-taking purposes.
Students with Disabilities
If you suspect or are aware that you have a disability that may affect your success in the course you are strongly encouraged to contact
the Disability Resource Center (DRC) located at the North Plaza Building. The disability will be evaluated and eligible students will
receive assistance in obtaining reasonable accommodations. Phone # 435-652-7516.
Other On-Campus Resources
Library
http://library.dixie.edu
Writing Center
http://dixie.edu/english/dsc_writing_center.php
Plagiarism & Cheating
You must do your own work. Note the following from the Dixie State College of Utah Policies and Procedures Manual: “Academic
dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated at Dixie State College, including but not limited to plagiarism on written assignments,
submitting other person's work as one's own, and cheating on exams or quizzes. Teachers at Dixie State College may discipline
students proven guilty of academic dishonesty by:
o Giving a failing grade on the specific assignment where dishonesty occurred,
o Failing the student in the entire course,
o Immediately dismissing and removing the student from the course, and/or
o Referring the student to Student Affairs, a committee which may reprimand, place on probation, suspend, and/or
expel the student.”
Dmail and Canvas
You are required to frequently check your Dmail account and Canvas. Important class and college information will be sent to your
Dmail account, including DSC bills, financial aid/scholarship notices, notices of cancelled classes, reminders of important dates and
deadlines, and other information critical to your success at DSC and in your courses. To access your Dmail account, visit
go.dixie.edu/dmail. If you do not know your Dmail username or you have forgotten your PIN, visit go.dixie.edu/mydixie and follow
the respective instructions.
Humanities 1010 Course Calendar-M
Subject to change at my discretion
* Canvas = From time to time I will post changes and announcements on Canvas. Check Canvas frequently to stay on top of class
news.
** ABH = The Art of Being Human, the textbook.
*** T= TED talks. Found at ted.com. Take notes on these.
DATE
WEEK 1
SUBJECT In Class
Reading & Due Dates
TED talks
Mon. 8/19
Introduction to the course
Classwork Starts
ABH. Chp. 1-2
TED- Lisa Bu- How books can open your
Thelma Golden- How art gives shape to
Candy Chang- Before I die I want to
Viktor Frankl- Why to believe in others
David Kelley- How to build your creative
WEEK 2
RELIGION- Chapter 10
Mon. 8/26
Religion Overview- Pagan
Christianity- Catholicism
ABH. Chp. 10. pp. 315-317, 319-320,
329-330, 345-351, 335-342
TED- Diane Benscoter on how cults
Rick Warren- A life of purpose
Seth Godin- the tribes we lead
Wade Davis- the world wide web of belief
Wade Davis- Dreams from endangered
Alain de Botton: Atheism 2.0
Ben Kacyra- Ancient wonders
Jared Diamond- on why societies collapse
WEEK 3
Mon. 9/2
WEEK 4
NO CLASS
LABOR DAY
Mon. 9/9
Islam and Judaism
ABH. pp. 342-344, 375-377, 145-146,
109, 497, 459, 420, 45, 331-336, 456
TED- Sarah Jones as a one woman global
Sam Harris- science can answer moral
Lesley Hazleton: On reading the Koran
Mustafa Akyol: Faith versus tradition in
Israel and Iran: a love story?
Kavita Ramdas- Radical women embracing
WEEK 5
MYTHS and STORIES
Mon. 9/16
Myth- Archetypes
Devdutt Pattanaik- East vs West- the
myths
ABH. Chapter 3. pp. 37-65
TED- Antonio Damasio- the quest to
Douglas Adams- parrots, the universe and
Billy Graham on technology and faith
Lesley Hazleton: The doubt essential to
Brene Brown- The power of vulnerability
Michael Shermer- why people believe
Jonathon Haidt- religion, evolution and the
WEEK 6
THE ANCIENT WORLD
Mon. 9/23
The Ancient World
Art and Music and the
Prehistoric World
Ancient Writings
ABH, pp. 105-108, 155-160
In class watch Cave of Forgotten Dreams
ABH. pp. 69-75, Beowulf, Gilgamesh
excerpts in Canvas
The Iliad, The Odyssey excerpts posted in
Canvas
Andrew Stanton- Clues to a great story
Steven Pinker- Human nature and the blank
David Deutsch- a new way to explain
Dan Gilbert- the surprising science of
WEEK 7
GREECE
Mon. 9/30
Greek world view &
history
ABH. pp. 108-112, 360-364, 386-399,
454-455, 464
Michael Tilson Thomas- Music and
Neil MacGregor: 2600 years of history in
Art and Philosophy
TED- Chip Conley- measuring what
Robert Sapolsky- the uniqueness of
Hendrik Poinar: Bring back the woolly
Adam Savage: My obsession with objects
Greek Classic theater,
poetry
ABH, pp. 156-157, 193-200, 409-412,
242-243, 436-437, 454-461, 416-418
Antigone and Medea, and Sappho (posted
in Canvas)
Oedipus (posted in Canvas)
Phil Borges on endangered cultures
Mallika Sarabhai- Dance to change the
Shekhar Kapur- we are the stories we tell
Mon. 10/14
Fall of Greece
Conclude Unit
Philosophy, poetry, theater, history, art,
sculpture, architecture, music, government
TED- Ben Cameron- the true power of the
Naif Al-Mutawa- superheroes inspired by
Tracy Chevalier- Finding the story inside
Phil Hansen: Embrace the shake
Patsy Rodenburg- why I do theatre
Manal al-Sharif-A Saudi woman who dared
Frank Gehry- as a young rebel
Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative
Elif Shafak- the politics of fiction
WEEK 10
Discussion MIDTERM
Mon. 10/21
Everything through Greece
Group 1- 5:15-6:25
Group 2- 6:30- 7:45
Come with at least 2 pages of organized
notes to be checked. Come with thought
provoking questions, topics, quotes and
ideas.
WEEK 11
ROME
Mon. 10/28
World View & History
Art & Architecture,
philosophy
ABH, pp. 410-414, 194-195, 393-395
TED- Laura Snyder- the philosophical
AJ Jacobs- my year of living biblically
David Macaulay's Rome Antics
Ji-Hae Park: The violin, and my dark night
Krista Tippett: Reconnecting with
Mon. 11/4
Poetry and theatre
The fall of Rome
Conclude Unit
ABH, pp. 74-76 “poetry”, 109-112
Roman Poems and play (posted in
Canvas)
Stefan Sagmeister: Happiness by design
Rob Forbes on ways of seeing
Raghava KK: My 5 lives as an artist
Taryn Simon-photographs secret sites
Beeban Kidron- the shared of wonder of
WEEK 13
MEDIEVAL World
Mon. 11/11
Middle Ages World view
& history
Philosophies, art, music,
dance, recreation
ABH. pp. 425-430, 477-478, 465-466,
112-114, 476-480, 262-263, 155-175
Isabel Allende- Tales of Passion
William Noel: Revealing the lost codex of
Taryn Simon- the stories behind the
Adam Savage- how simple ideas lead to
Mon. 11/18
Medieval theatre and
literature
unit closure
ABH. 169-171, 412-413, 91-92
Canterbury Tales and The Inferno
excerpts on Canvas.
Philip Zimbardo- psychology of evil
JJ Abrams: The mystery box
John Maeda- how art, technology and
Ben Dunlap- the lifelong learner
Paul Bloom- the origins of pleasure
WEEK 15
Mon. 11/25
CURRENT DAY
HUMANITIES
What’s new in The Arts
Look over ABH pp. 114-149, 76-98, 201220-235, 243-270, 175-182
TED- Chris Bangle says great cars are Art
Paola Antonelli treats design as art,
Scott Kim takes apart the art of puzzles
Isaac Mizrahi on fashion and creativity
Ursus Wehrli tidies up art
Liu Bolin: The invisible man
Vik Muniz: Art with wire, sugar, chocolate
JR: One year of turning the world inside out
Chip Kidd: Designing books is no laughing
WEEK 16
Mon. 12/2
Present Projects
Who am I? Project Due (with
explanation)
Present in class for grade
Hillel Cooperman: Legos for grownups
Emily Levine- theory of everything
Siegfried Woldhek shows how he found
Scott McCloud on comics
WEEK 8
Mon. 10/7
WEEK 9
WEEK 12
WEEK 14
David Kelley: How to build your creative
Final:
Monday Dec. 9, 5-7PM