Valencia College
HUM1020: Introduction to Humanities
Fall 2014: Syllabus
Instructor: Natalie Hedrick
Email: Use the Blackboard online course mail (best way to reach me)
College email: nhedrick1@valenciacollege.edu (if Blackboard is down)
Phone: (321) 872-7403 (emergencies only)
Text: Landmarks in Humanities, Special Edition for Valencia College, by Gloria K.
Fiero, ISBN # 978-0-07-769560-6, 2013.
Additional readings: accessible through course homepage
Recommended: MLA Handbook for Writers or Purdue.owl.com/mla
Videos online (required to view and for homework) accessible on the Home Page and in
each unit, or at http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Companion Website:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073376647/information_center_view0/
-this website is great for review and study, although it is the regular edition of the book
and not the Valencia edition. Nothing is required from this website. It is for your
enrichment only.
Course Overview: Basic introduction to the humanities. Focuses on central concepts,
historical development and fundamental nature of philosophy, architecture, music,
religion and art. Concepts from such disciplines integrated with contemporary American
culture.
Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, the student should be able to: better
participate in the cultural life of the community, articulate connections between the
humanities and one’s life, and participate in informed conversation about a work of art,
literature or philosophy. This goal will be accomplished through student participation in
online lessons, videos, homework, tests, discussion boards, and cultural experiences.
Syllabus: This syllabus is a contract between students and the instructor. The instructor
has the right to change or modify the syllabus as necessary during the term. Changes will
be provided to students in a timely manner. The student is responsible to log on to the
class at least three times a week to obtain additional information or alterations to the
schedule, as well as any other pertinent information. Students enrolled in the course agree
to comply with the course requirements in order to receive a passing grade.
Office Hours: Students may contact the instructor by email or phone, and there may be
online office hours as needed.
Museum Project: There will be one museum related writing project on topics related to
the branches of humanities. Papers will be written using MLA style, proper grammar and
paragraph formation, with proper documentation for borrowed work (See details below
and in Museum Project folder in Course). No late papers are accepted – start early.
Plagiarism or cheating of any kind is not tolerated and will be cause for automatic
failure. See section on plagiarism in MLA Handbook and on academic dishonesty
in the College Catalog.
Exams: There will be a total of four exams given, on the dates assigned in the schedule.
These exams will be based on the lessons, homework, discussion boards and online
videos. Tests will include objective questions and identification of art and will be taken in
class. You will not be able to take a make-up exam without proper
documentation that excuses your absence.
Homework/Assessments: Students will be required to do homework, found by clicking
on the Assessments tab or in each Unit folder in Blackboard. You will have two attempts
to submit the homework. NO LATE SUBMISIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED! Students
will also have graded assessments that will be completed in class. There will be no makeups for an assessment missed because of a missed class.
Grading Scale:
Museum Project
5 Exams
Homework/In-class assessment
Study Guides
10%
75%
15%
no points (study use only)
A = 90-100 percent
D = 60 to 69.9 percent
B = 80 to 89.9 percent
F = 59.9 percent or below
C = 70 to 79.9 percent
(Grades will not be rounded up or down. For example, 79.6 equals a “C” grade)
Attendance: Regular attendance is required for all Valencia College courses,
including online courses. There is something due every week of the term for this coursehomework or a test. When you miss a deadline, it is the same as missing a week of
classes, and you could risk withdrawal. This is just as binding as attending a class in
person. Financial aid may also be affected as follows:
Title IV Federal Repayment. You must attend class through 60% of the term.
Failure to do so may require you to repay all or a portion of your Title IV
Financial Aid (Pell, SEOG, and Stafford Loans) to the Federal Government
and/or to the College. If you have questions, contact the financial aid office on
your campus.
Please see online college calendar for holidays, Drop/Add dates, last day to withdraw or
change to audit, other days the college may be closed, or pertinent information.
Withdrawals: If the student decides not to complete the course, it is his or her
responsibility to withdraw before the official date. Please review the withdrawal, audit,
incomplete, and repeat course policies in the College Catalog and Handbook.
Some Important Dates: Classes begin: August 25, 2014
Last day to drop with refund: Sept. 2, 2014
Last day to withdraw with a “W” – Nov. 7, 2014
No Classes: Sept. 1 – Labor Day
Oct. 9 – East Campus Work Day
Nov. 26-30 – Thanksgiving Break
Last Day of Term: Dec. 14, 2014
PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that due to new federal regulations, any student
who does not complete an assignment or academic discussion in the first week of
class will be withdrawn from the class and is at risk of losing his/her financial aid.
You have two assignments due during this time, which are the first homework and first
discussion posting, in the Blackboard course, that qualify for attendance purposes. If
neither of these is completed, you will be removed from the class in the No-Show
reporting period.
Students with Disabilities: I wish you to have every opportunity to learn and participate
in this class. Therefore, if any student has any hearing, visual, physical or speech
impairments, or any learning disability or impairment, please contact the college’s Office
for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and I will make every effort possible to facilitate
your learning, upon their instruction.
College policy: "Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations
must provide a Notification to Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the
first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines
accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. Please contact your
campus for more information."
Technical Problems: For any log-on or technical problems, contact the Technology Help
Desk. There is a link to the helpdesk in the menu on the left of the homepage. Technical
problems are not an excuse for incomplete work.
Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Commitment
The college is committed to providing equality in educational and employment access
and opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, religion, marital status,
disability, or national origin. Harassment in any form will not be condoned or tolerated
by the College, whether directed toward the employers, employees, or students.
Summary of Major Assignments
Plagiarism or cheating of any kind is not tolerated and will be cause for automatic
failure. See section on plagiarism in MLA Handbook and on academic dishonesty
in the College Catalog.
PLEASE NOTE: Projects, Homework, Postings, Responses and Exams may NOT
be submitted after the due dates. NO LATE WORK IS ALLOWED. Work may be
completed early.
Exams (75% of grade):
1. There will be 5 major exams in this course.
2. These exams will be based on the readings, lessons, and homework, and will
be objective questions in a variety of formats (multiple choice, fill-in-theblank, image identification, etc.).
3. No late exams are given. If not taken in the time slot allowed, a zero will be
recorded.
Homework Assignments (15% of grade):
1. Homeworks are due as indicated on the calendar by 11:30 p.m.
2. Late homework assignments are not accepted. Any work not submitted on
time will receive a zero.
3. Some weeks there will more than one chapter or assignment due. Each
assignment counts as a separate grade, and all are required. Be sure to read the
schedule, no late assignments or make-ups are given.
4. Technical Problems: For any log-on or technical problems, contact the
Technology Help Desk. There is a link in the menu bar on the left of the
course pages. Technical problems are not an excuse for incomplete work.
For study purposes, you may access the homework material by clicking on the
“Homework After the Deadline” link in each unit. These cannot be
submitted for credit but may be used for practice, as they are not
connected to the grade book. They are the same as the original
assessments, so you have them for review.
VIDEOS: There are several videos that you will watch and for which there
will be homework. The link is provided on the homepage, in each unit, and may
also be accessed through the Web Links links within each unit folder on the left of
the Homepage. You may also access them through direct links within the
schedule. These videos are required and will help your understanding of the
different time periods we study. Test your equipment early to make sure you can
access them. Technical problems are NOT excusable. Other videos will be shown
in class and will require you to print a study guide to bring to class with you;
these will count as assessments, as proof of your attendance for that class, and
will be used to study for Unit Exams.
Museum Project (10% of grade):
1. Visit an art or history museum or state or national historic site during the
first part of the semester. Other types of museums do not qualify (such as a
Science museum or Natural History museum). If you’re in doubt, check with
me to see if the museum is acceptable.
2. Write a short paper about your museum visit (at least 500 words in at least 5
paragraphs). Include the following:
a. Describe the museum (1-2 paragraphs)
-Where did you go? What did you actually see? What was the theme
of the museum? Who were the main artists, or what is the focus of the
museum? You may include pictures you took or pictures from the
internet if you wish.
b. Pick one artist with one of his/her works, OR one artifact from the
museum and discuss it. (1-2 paragraphs)
-What is its background? Where is he/she/it from? What are the “facts
you found out about this person/art/artifact from the museum?
c. Do some research on the internet or at the library about the artist and
artwork or the artifact and write about your findings (1-2 paragraphs).
Document your sources in the report AND on a Works Cited page
using MLA format. You must cite at least one outside source in your
paper, using proper parenthetical citations. Outside source means NOT
the museum or its website but another separate site or library resource.
Please see instructions in Museum Project folder for how to
document your findings.
d. Write a summary of your thoughts or feelings about your visit and why
you picked the person or piece you chose (1-2 paragraphs).
e. Paper needs to follow the conventions of good grammar and paragraph
formation, and all borrowed material must be documented in paper and
on Works Cited page (see instructions in Museum Project folder).
f. Submit the paper to the Museum Project drop box in the Museum
Project file on the Homepage.
3. If you are unable to attend a museum for some extenuating circumstance,
you may do an internet project instead. The alternate project will be to find
a “virtual tour” of a museum on the web. Take the virtual tour, and do the
assignment as indicated above.
4. NO late projects will be accepted. You have ample time to complete this
before the due date.
5. Grades will be assigned as indicated in the Museum Project Grading Rubric
(found in the Course Information and Overview folder).
Students should arrive to class on time and prepared
with the textbook, pen/pencil and paper to take handwritten notes, and any assignments due that day!
I know this sounds like a lot of work right now, but there is a lot of rich material to cover,
and it will be worth the effort. Please refer to the calendar, the Complete Course
Schedule, the syllabus, and announcements for due dates. Please do your best and let’s
enjoy this semester!
Unit 1 – Chapters 2 & 3 and Video 1: Jason and the Argonauts
Video 2: Engineering an Empire: Rome
**both available via Films On Demand (you must be logged into atlas)**
Primary Source Reading: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (with video
accompaniment)
Homework 1: Allegory of the Cave worksheet
Unit 2 – Chapter 4, and Middle Ages lecture and Video 3: A White Garment of
Churches
Primary Source Readings: The Bible, The Q,uran
Unit 3 – Chapters 7 and Reformation lecture and
Primary Source Reading: Pico’s Oration on the Dignity of Man
Homework 2: Analyzing Renaissance Art
Unit 4 – Chapter 11 and 12
Primary Source Readings: excerpts from Locke’s Treatise on Government,
Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, and the French Declaration of the
Rights of Man
Homework 3: Enlightenment worksheet
Unit 5 – Chapters 13, 14, and Video segments (in class)
Primary Source Reading: Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour
**All readings and homework assignments are to be
completed prior to the start of class on the days
listed in the schedule! No late assignments or
make-ups are allowed.**
HUM1020 Course Schedule Fall 2014
Please note that on most dates more than one assignment is due, and that the days of the
week that assignments are due may vary. All are due by 11:30 p.m.
Aug. 26:
Course begins.
Discuss Introduction to Course and Requirements
Aug 28:
Syllabus Quiz
Introduction to Mythology: Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s Journey
Introduction to Greek Values
Sept. 2:
Assessment due (bring Study Guide with you to class!):
Video 1: Jason and the Argonauts
Sept. 4:
Read Chapter 2: Classicism: The Greek Legacy and Greek Values
Discussion of values as expressed through art, architecture
Sept. 9
Homework 1 Due: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Discussion: Allegory/ The unification of Greece
Video: 300 (segments)
Sept. 11
Read Chapter 3: – Empire: The Power and Glory of Rome
Lecture: The Roman Empire
Assessment due (bring Study Guide with you to class!):
Start Video 2: Engineering an Empire: Rome
Sept. 16
Assessment due (bring Study Guide with you to class!):
Video 2: Engineering an Empire: Rome
Sept. 18
Exam 1 (Unit 1) ** essay and scantron format- bring #2
pencil**
Sept. 23
Read Chapter 4: Revelation: The Flowering of World Religions
Lecture: Monotheism
Sept. 25:
Read Primary Resource: Bible and Q’uran
Assessment: 3 words to describe Jesus
Sept. 30:
meets**
View Video 3: A White Garment of Churches **watch before class
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Lecture/Discussion: The Middle Ages
Oct.2
Exam 2 (Unit 2) ** essay and scantron format- bring #2
pencil**
Oct. 7:
Read Chapter 7: Rebirth: The Age of Renaissance
Discussion: Renaissance Humanism; Renaissance Art
Exercise: Analyzing Renaissance Art
Oct. 9
Classes Do Not Meet (East Campus Work Day)
Oct. 14
View Video 4 :The High Renaissance **watch before class meets**
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Homework 2 due: Analyzing Renaissance Art
Oct. 16
Primary Source Reading: Pico’s Oration on the Dignity of Man
Discussion: Oration on the Dignity of Man **bring completed worksheet
to class with you**
Oct. 21
Classes Do Not Meet (Museum visit day!)
Oct. 23:
Lecture: Reformation/ Baroque
Video 5: Elizabeth segment (homepage/youtube)
Oct. 27:
Exam 3 (Unit 3)
Oct. 29:
Read Chapter 11: Enlightenment: Science and New Learning
Discussion of Scientific Revolution
Video Segments (in class)
Nov. 4
Primary Source Readings: Locke’s Treatise on Government; Thomas
Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and The French Declaration of
Rights of Man Readings
Discussion of “social contract,” Rococo Art/Classical music
Nov. 6
Read Chapter 12
Homework 3 due: Enlightenment worksheet
Finish Discussion of the Enlightenment and Romanticism
Note: Nov. 7 – Last day to withdraw with a “W”
Nov. 11
Read Chapter 12: Romanticism: Nature, Passion, and the
Sublime
Nov. 13:
Exam 4 (Unit 4)
Nov. 18:
Museum Project Due by 11:30 p.m. – NO LATE SUBMISSIONS
Begin discussion of Modernity
Nov. 20:
Homework due: Chapter 13: Materialism: The Industrial Era and the
Urban Scene
Kate Chopin, “The Story of an Hour”
Video 6: A Fresh View -Impressionism and PostImpressionism
http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html
Nov. 24:
Read Chapter 14: Modernism: The Assault of Tradition
Discussion of Jazz and the effects of theWorld Wars
Dec. 2:
Finish Chapter 14: Modernism: The Assault of Tradition
Discussion of Civil Rights, Youth Rebellion, and Rock n Roll
Dec. 4:
Wrap-up and prep for “final”
Dec. 11:
Final Exam/ Exam 5 (Unit 5) 10am- do not be late!
Per college policy- missing the final exam results in an “F”
for the course