HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
Introduction
Why study Western Civilization? With the pace of life, the explosion of information, Wikipedia,
social media and constant texting and cell phone connections, why spend time studying the past,
let alone the ancient past?
Well, the past is one of the most powerful forces shaping the present world today. Want to be
encouraged regardless of the chaos you see and hear in the news? Ever wonder how things got to
be the way they are? Would you like to be an informed person who can explain why current
issues are happening? If you answered any these questions with “yes,” then welcome to
Humanities 101; all will be revealed during this semester. If you honestly answered “no” to all of
these questions, well then, it’s a required course and you only have to get through these six
weeks. Hopefully we’ll be a bit more engaging than that.
Professor Contact Information
Dr. Jim Dupree
Campus Mailbox 2486
jvdupree@gcc.edu
Office hours: less than 12 hour response to email & calls
Office phone: 724-458-3354
Office: HAL 318H
Email accessed 3 times per day
Leave voice mail, phone accessed
10 a.m. & 5 p.m. EST.
Objectives for you of this course
Important ideas develop, key individuals gain influence, and pivotal events happen because of
what has been done, thought, or acted on in the past. All ideas and cultural progress come from a
long process of incremental developments and changes. It is my hope that when you finish this
course you will:
 Realize the influence of Christianity on that history and the resulting view of what constitutes
knowledge.
 Be better equipped to live a life that honors and glorifies God and that advances His
kingdom.
 Understand the origins and impact of Western Civilization on today’s world.
 Develop your critical thinking abilities in terms of recognizing others' positions, their basis
for that position, and be able to effectively reason with them.
 Be able to make practical use of this knowledge in your daily life.
 Win more than $64,000 when you become a Jeopardy contestant.
 Build a foundation for the other five courses in the Civilization Series.
 Learn the key concepts, themes, and thinkers in Western intellectual life and be able to place
them in an historical context.
 Enhance your research and written communication skills.
Required texts
 Books - Donald Kagan, Stephen Ozment, Frank Turner, and A. Daniel Frankforter, The
Western Heritage: Volume I: To 1740, 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010.
 May be purchased at the G.C.C. bookstore during your June orientation or online.
 Online articles – You will access and read online, no additional purchase necessary.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
 The list of choices will be provided. Online articles are a significant supplement to your
text.
 They are provided at no additional cost via the GCC online library resources.
Necessary Technology
 Reliable, high speed Internet connection.
 Generally speaking this should be a secure network connection.
 G.C.C. technology account and password.
 This will be setup by the College once you are registered for the course.
 G.C.C. Help Desk – 724-458-2255 during normal business hours. helpdesk@gcc.edu,
 A reliable Windows compatible computer AND access to a repair service, if yours crashes.
 Ability to play MP3 or MP4 files.
 Download and play class orientation file as soon as possible, to ensure this capability.
 Ability to back up all of your assignments to a second source beyond/outside of your
computer hard drive.
Core competencies emphasized – [Unimportant to you, important to me ]
1. Basic understanding of Western
Demonstrated through, in class and online
civilization’s context, formative ideas,
discussions of key readings and questions.
key players, and consequences of each.
2. Understand the formation, nature, and
Offering articulate responses to exam
importance of culture to human
questions, online discussions, and research
interaction and ideas.
paper.
3. To be able to identify, understand, and
Class discussion, interaction with selected
discuss other’s world views.
readings, and essay question responses.
4. Comprehend what constitutes important
Discussion of key readings and posed
social and ethical issues and explain why questions in class and online. Development
they are important.
of such issues in a research paper.
5. Development of key skill sets: research
Expressed primarily in a personal research
using primary and secondary sources;
paper and in class discussion online and in
critical analysis & reasoning; expression class.
of an articulate, reasoned argument in
writing; and generalize (apply)
information to current and personal
events, situations, and decisions.
Expectations
1. Fully engage the course, content, and discussions with active questioning and posting.
a. Participate in synchronous online discussions.
2. Submit all assignments on time, according to assignment requirements.
3. Use your computer appropriately.
4. Participate through discussion boards and email by writing your mind offering supported,
thoughtful, and reasoned arguments, respectful of others.
a. Treat classmates and the professor with dignity and respect in posts and replies.
b. Be careful to not disparage others intentionally or unintentionally in your responses.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
5. Read the relevant material prior to class.
6. Take personal responsibility for your learning:
a. Read and use your syllabus to manage your course work.
b. Email questions when you don’t understand.
c. Track your attendance & course grade using the information in My.GCC.
d. Read and comply with college policies on attendance, plagiarism, personal conduct, etc.
e. When in doubt ask having made a good faith effort.
Conduct of the Course
This course will be asynchronous. That means you can access the course at any time of day or
night so you can manage your work, assignments and discussions according to your schedule.
At the same time it means you have to manage your time and your work, the responsibility for
on-time submissions is the same as if you were in a classroom.
 Generally speaking you will need to invest 8-12 hours a week into the course – 2-2.5 hours a
day/evening.
 Listening to lectures – 2-2.5 hours per week + note taking
 Weekly readings – roughly 200 pages per week – include text and online articles.
 Reading quiz – 20+ minutes to complete + your study time
 Online discussions – variable, need to post your thoughts and reply to two course mates.
 Weekly writing assignments – your course paper is written in steps.
Reading/notetaking: Your reading will be in a textbook with supplemental readings of online
articles on key events and people. You will need to: take notes from Camtasia lectures that
supplement those readings; participate in online discussions about the key concepts gleaned from
the reading and lecture; or write reactions to content offered in lecture.
Online Discussion: Sometimes that discussion will entail reiteration and simple explanation of
key concepts. Other times you will draw conclusions, synthesize positions and defend them to
your classmates and professor.
As an online course all “discussions” will be via the Collaboration Forum on My.GCC. Some of
you will enjoy reflecting and typing, others prefer the spontaneity of verbal discussion. Due to
the national reach of the course all of our discussions are asynchronous.
The asynchronous nature of written discussion can led to some unintended results – forgetting to
participate, appearing more critical than intended, or slipping into texting “slang.” I offer the
following "guidelines" to increase participation, to minimize any negatives, and to maximize
enjoyment of the process.
1. All posts and replies should be in Standard English and full sentences.
a. Please do not use abbreviations – OMG, or emoticons , etc.
2. In discussion among students or between the professor and students, the dignity of the
individual will be respected.
a. Please post any replies with that in mind.
b. Remember jokes and humor often does not translate well to a written format. Adding an
emoticon won’t help.
3. Any question may be asked at any time and will be treated with respect.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
a. On occasion the response may be delayed because the issue will be addressed in
subsequent lecture or discussion.
b. However, all questions will be addressed.
c. The only "dumb question" is the one not asked.
4. Anyone may disagree with the professor and is encouraged to express that disagreement.
a. While I hold clear (I think) opinions you may "take me on" without concern.
b. You should offer reasons and explanation, not merely disagree.
Course mechanics
This explains: sources of course content; my expectations of you, and yours of
me; due date expectations; our honesty and learning policies; and how
attendance is measured.
1. You have three sources of course content.
a. Online Camtasia lectures
b. Your textbook
c. Selected online electronic readings of original works
2. These three sources complement each other with minimal overlap; therefore, it is important
that you invest the time to read and study all three.
3. Read, be familiar with, and follow the College’s honesty in learning and plagiarism policies.
a. I consider plagiarism a direct violation of the Biblical commandments against stealing,
bearing false witness, and covetousness; thus, the Grove City College policy.
b. I encourage you to think seriously about the demands of their Christian faith in regards to
this issue.
4. Course materials
a. Assignment instructions you need for the class will posted by the first day of the course. b. Lectures are posted Sunday evenings for the following week.
i. They are not posted in advance so that students will stay on pace and not try to
work ahead.
5. Attendance and participation are key to the learning process.
a. As an online course attendance and participation are determined by activity during the
week; either through discussions and/or submission of assignments.
b. You are considered absent for the week if you do not:
i. Participate in the discussion forum;
ii. And/or if you fail to submit assignments that are due.
6. Please read, check and submit the course contract.
a. Submission of this contract is required to begin the course.
b. Submission of the contract says you are in agreement with the honesty in learning
policy.
7. Questions? Post them if you have them.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
Learning Disabilities
 Some of us – I am one – have a learning impairment, something that makes it more difficult
for us to learn than for others [Difficulty managing my time doesn’t qualify ].
 If you believe you have such a condition, reasonable accommodation can be arranged
through Student Life and Learning.
Assignments – Overview
This section provides an introduction to the assignments. Detailed
assignment instructions are provided online on my.GCC, our course
page, Main Page.
Participation/Online Discussions
As an online asynchronous course these discussion forums provide you the opportunity to
interact with your classmates and professor.
 You will take them on My.GCC under Collaboration under Forums.
 They are to be completed by the end of the week.
 You will have a discussion for weeks 1-6.
 Each of these six discussions is worth 50 points each for a total of 300 points or 30% of your
grade.
 There is a practice forum we will complete as a class prior to the first graded forum.
 A Camtasia video will demonstrate how to participate in an online discussion.
 Camtasia is a program that turns PowerPoint lectures into MP3/4 files.
 Each week’s discussion becomes available Tuesday evening and must be completed by
Saturday evening.
 A grading rubric is provided on My.GCC showing how your post and replies will be graded.
Note: Earning a maximum score is fairly easy. Follow the deadlines, tie in course materials, and
show an effort to reflect (think) about the questions. Unlike a quiz, discussions are not about
getting the right answer, but rather based on your thinking and use of course material.
Research paper
You will prepare a 2-4 page, double-spaced, researched paper on a topic of your choice. A list of
suggested topics is provided, as are guidelines and instructions for writing the paper. You will
write it in three steps with a fourth optional step.
 First – you will choose a topic and write a ½-one-page explanation of your choice.
 Then – you will develop an opening paragraph, a thesis statement, and an initial bibliography
supporting the paper.
 Third – you will write an initial draft. This is a complete paper with all sources.
 Finally – you will have an opportunity to rewrite the draft to enhance your paper grade.
Detailed instructions are posted on My.GCC.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
Exams
Weekly reading quizzes – over reading for the week
There are six weekly reading quizzes. They become available to you Friday afternoon and must
be completed by Monday night by 9 p.m.
 They are conducted online using our class management software – My.GCC.
 You should read the text and take the quizzes prior to listening to the Camtasia lecture.
 This will help your learning from the lectures.
 They are 20-30 multiple choice questions and are timed for 20-30 minutes depending on the
number of questions.
 You MAY use any materials while taking the quiz – notes, text, Camtasia lectures.
 Generally speaking if you do not study for the quiz you will run out of time by simply
accessing the materials during the quiz.
Final exam – over the weekly lectures
There is a final comprehensive exam which draws only on the lecture material.
 A example/practice exam will be provided as well as a study guide.
 Format
 2 essay questions chosen from a pool of 5 questions.
 50-60 objective questions.
 The exam will be over the lecture for the entire six weeks.
 Exam content will be 100% from lectures.
 This exam is given during a time window in the evening of the last day of the course.
 You will have a total of 2 hours for the exam.
 You may use any notes or materials during the final.
 Generally speaking most students take 1.5 to the full 2 hours to complete.
A suggested week schedule
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Complete
Discussion
First post and Reading quiz
Complete
reading quiz
forum over
reply to
for next week
discussion
for this week
this week
discussion
opens at 1
forum by 9
by 9 p.m.
opens 1 p.m.
forum
p.m.
p.m.
Reading for the week – text and articles; Listen to Camtasia lectures
Work on your Work on your Work on your Work on your Work on your Work on your
paper
paper
paper
paper
paper
paper
assignment
assignment
assignment
assignment
assignment
assignment
for the week
for the week
for the week
for the week
for the week
for the week
Grading
General
You earn your grade – there is no curve, no extra credit. You are in competition
with no one but yourself – everyone could earn an A. You may ask for
clarification or explanation of any grade or written comments. Please do so
within one week of the return of the assignment or quiz. This enables me to
provide a quick and accurate reply. Thank you.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
General grading criteria
1. Accuracy and completeness in following of instructions.
2. Quality of written work; spelling, grammar, syntax, adherence to a style manual, etc.
3. Late assignments receive a 10% deduction per day late grade.
a. See grading rubrics for each assignment under Main Page, Grading Rubrics.
b. All assignments are due as scheduled in the calendar.
Course Grading
Number of assignments Points per assignment Total Points
% of Grade
Class Discussions
6
50
300
30
Weekly online reading quizzes
6
30
180
18
Topic choice
1
20
20
2.0
Thesis & Bibliography
1
100
100
10
Initial Draft
1
200
200
20
Optional - Rewrite
0-1
-
-
-
Final Exam
1
200
200
20
Completion of Course Evaluation
1 (bonus)
10
10
1.0 bonus
TOTALS
16
Response/Discussions online
Weekly reading quizzes
Total
30%
18%
Grading scale
A = 93
A- = 90
B+ = 88
B = 84
B- = 80
1000 + bonus 100% + bonus
Research paper
Final Exam
32%
20%
100%
C+
C
CD+
D
=
=
=
=
=
78
74
70
68
64
D- =
F =
60
below 59.99
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
____________________________________________________________________________
COURSE SCHEDULE (This schedule may be amended at the discretion of the
Instructor) Note: Remember we are covering a semester course in six weeks. The
reading may look heavy, and it is, so plan ahead.
Pre-course work [Work to be completed by Midnight July 1st]
 Syllabus – read, complete course contract, submit via mygcc.
 Purchase your textbook and complete the reading for week #1.
 Read and study Chapters 1-3 in preparation for first quiz.
 View the orientation to class Camtasia lecture.
 Review the writing assignment instructions and begin thinking about your topic.
 Email any questions to Dr. Dupree at jvdupree@gcc.edu.
Week 1
 Quiz #1 – Chps 1-3 – Birth of Civilization and Greek Civilization
 Available as of 5 p.m. Friday before beginning of class.
 Complete online quiz by 9 p.m. Monday.
 Camtasia lecture – Birth of Civilization through Greek Civilization
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L#01a – Birth of Civilization; L#01b – Birth of
Greek Civilization; and L#01c – Greek Civilizations
 Research paper – Review assignment instructions.
 Review Topic Choice instructions and suggested list, prepare to submit Saturday evening.
 Review grading rubric
 Discussion #1 – First post by 9 p.m. Thursday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Review grading rubric.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates.
Fourth of July – enjoy the celebration but no break from class
Week 2
 Quiz #2 – Chps 4-6 – Rome and Late Antiquity
 Available as of 5 p.m. Friday, July 6th.
 Complete online quiz by 9 p.m. Monday.
 Camtasia lecture – Birth of Rome Through Late Antiquity
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L #02a – Birth of Rome; L#02b – Roman
Empire; L#02c – Collapse of Rome Late Antiquity.
 Research paper
 Begin research on your topic – seeking six good sources.
 Review Thesis Bibliography instructions.
 Draft an opening paragraph and thesis.
 See Thesis Tips under Main Page, Helps.
 Discussion #2 – First post by 9 p.m. Thursday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates by Thursday evening.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
Week 3
 Quiz #3 – Chps 7-9 – Middle Ages, Medieval Society, Late Middle Ages.
 Complete quiz by 9 p.m.
 Camtasia lecture – The Middle Ages – The Dark Ages – Really?
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L#03a – Dark Ages; L#03b – Middle Ages;
L#03c – Late Middle Ages
 Research paper
 Review thesis and bibliography assignment instructions.
 Prepare to submit by Saturday evening.
 Discussion #3 – First post by 9 p.m. Thursday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates by Thursday evening.
Week 4
 Quiz – Chps 10-11 – The Renaissance and the Reformation
 Complete online quiz by 9 p.m.
 Camtasia lecture – Culture; the degeneration of Christianity; and its Restoration
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L#04a – The Renaissance; L#04b –
Reformation; L#04c – Their legacies
 Research paper
 Review initial draft instructions and prepare a complete initial draft of your paper with
cover page and works cite page to submit next week.
 Discussion #4 – First post by 9 p.m. Thursday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates by Thursday evening.
Week 5
 Quiz – Chps 12-13 – Religious wars and European consolidation
 Complete online quiz by 9 p.m.
 Camtasia lecture – Can’t we all just get along, the chaos of change
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L#05a – Religious wars; L#05b – European
consolidation
 Research paper
 Prepare a complete initial draft of your paper with cover page and works cite page and
submit by Saturday evening.
 Discussion #5 – First post by 9 p.m. Saturday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates by Thursday evening.
Week 6
 Quiz – No reading quiz prepare for final exam
 Review study guide, organize your notes.
 Read Chapter 14 – New Directions, it is on the final and in lecture
 Camtasia lecture – L#06 – New Direction, the Legacies of the Past
 Download from Main Page – Lectures – L#06 – So what does this have to do with me?
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
 Research paper
 Review feedback on initial draft, and prepare a final draft incorporating the feedback.
 Submit the final draft by Monday August 13th by noon.
 Final Discussion #6 – First post by 9 p.m. Saturday
 Review discussion questions and consider your responses.
 Post your initial response and reply to classmates by Thursday evening.
Final Exam: Available Saturday at the end of your week six. It must be completed &
submitted within two days. Exact dates depend on your section.
Final Paper due Monday, the week following the close of the course, by 5 p.m.
Assignment Instructions, Study Guidance, Discussion Instructions and
Grading Criteria (Rubrics) are posted on My.GCC.edu under Main
Page, Handouts. See the appropriate subheading: Assignments;
Discussions; Quizzes/Exam; and Helps.
H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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HUMANITIES 101 - WESTERN CIVILIZATION: Summer, 2013
This syllabus may be amended at the discretion of the Instructor
Please type your name & submit via My.Gcc by Wednesday of your
first week HUMA 101 – Western Civilization
Personal Learning Contract
Sometimes the pressure at the beginning of a course leads us to neglect reading
the syllabus, overlooking key college policies, assignment instructions, due
dates, etc. This is your opportunity to take control of that responsibility in this
course by setting your own learning goals. Submission of this document
constitutes an agreement with the process and policies governing this Grove City
College course. Keep the syllabus handy as it provides the course structure, due dates,
and assignment overviews necessary to plan your studies.
I have heard and/or read the College Honesty in Learning Policy and Plagiarism policies. Also, I
have read this syllabus and will retain a copy and refer to it prior to asking questions about
assignments, due dates, office hours, etc.
____________________________________________
Typing your name constitutes an electronic signature
________________
Date
Type an “X” onto the “___” following the statement signifying completion of
each task. If you need help completing any of these element please contact me.
I have:
1. Installed the VPN and tested it to ensure it works. ________
2. Viewed the Course orientation video. _______.
3. Ordered/purchased my course text. ______.
4. Read the syllabus _____.
Type your question or learning goals over the “______.” The space will expand
as needed.
I want to learn from this course: [you must have at least one and may have more than 3 items]
1. ______________________________________________________________________.
2. ______________________________________________________________________.
3. ______________________________________________________________________.
I would like to know: [you must have at least one and you may have more than 3 items]
1. ______________________________________________________________________.
2. ______________________________________________________________________.
3. ______________________________________________________________________.
Please type your name & submit via My.Gcc by Wednesday of your
first week H101 Syllabus – Dupree
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