Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 1
HUMANITIES 105:The Human Struggle
# 1400 MW 10:45 AM-12:10 PM in AD 217
Michael C. Harnett, Ph. D., Professor of English Office: LB 211
Office Hours: 8:00-9:00 AM MTuWTh; 1:00-1:30 MW; 3:30-4:00 PM M. See me for
other times. Express Grading Time in the Office (Exclusively for Grading): 1:30-3:30
PM Tu.
Website: http://mharnett.weebly.com/ Please refer to this website frequently and
regularly for announcements, class notes, and course materials, such as information about
assignments. Go to the main page for general announcements; see the HUMAN 105 page
for announcements specific to this class; follow tabs to pages for class notes and course
materials.
Phone: x5699 Email: mharnett@glendale.edu
Course Description: Catalog Statement
“Humanities 105: The Human Struggle
3 units
Humanities 105 is an interdisciplinary, intercultural course designed to challenge students to
further develop critical reading, writing, and thinking abilities through comparative study of materials from
literature and various disciplines. Students evaluate some of the most relevant issues faced by humans
throughout their history, with emphasis on values and ethics. The course examines the creative impulses
and destructive forces that have influenced the human struggle for order, acceptance, knowledge,
understanding, self-expression, power, freedom, individuality, and survival. Students improve their
abilities to analyze, synthesize, develop original ideas, distinguish fact from opinion or belief, and use logic
and reason in language and thought to determine whether the solutions of the past are compatible with the
problems of today and tomorrow. Writing instruction focuses on improving advanced composition skills.
The course may be team-taught.” Lecture 3 hours. Advisory prerequisite: Eligibility for English 101.
Transfer credit: CSU, UC, USC
COURSE OVERVIEW: In HUMAN 105, The Human Struggle, you will examine fundamental issues
faced by humans throughout their history, exploring various models of thought concerning those issues,
and you will analyze and evaluate those thoughts in light of modern ideas. The course centers on critical
thinking: you will write thesis-based essay examinations; write reports based on movies, museum visits,
extended reading, or research; participate in active discussions; and deliver an original oral report.
GOAL: You are challenged to analyze information, synthesize what you have learned in light of our world
today, and propose original ideas through the media of reading, discussion, and writing. You will gain an
understanding of other cultures, foreign in both time and place, and an increased ability to see connections
among diverse ideas and perspectives.
Course Entry Expectations
Skills Level Ranges: Reading 6; Writing 6; Listening/Speaking 6; Math 1
Prior to enrolling in this course, the student should be able to:
1. organize and write thesis-based essays
2. use detailed examples, facts, logical explanations, and other appropriate support for thesis
statements
3. critically analyze selected prose works dealing with important contemporary issues
4. summarize, analyze, and synthesize information, express and apply standards for judgment,
compare and contrast, and evaluate evidence in order to form and state reasoned opinions
5. gather and organize information through library research
6. demonstrate a command of grammar, diction, syntax, and mechanics sufficient for college
level work as specified by the English 120 rubric.
Course Exit Standards
Upon successful completion of the required coursework, the student will be able to:
1. read critically and write critical, thesis-based essays from rhetorical perspectives,
2. compare and contrast relationships among literature and various disciplines,
3. analyze, synthesize, distinguish fact from opinion or belief, seek credible sources, propose
original ideas, and reach logical conclusions,
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
4.
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 2
examine many of the bases for important human values, identify bias and prejudice, and
respect the views of others,
5. evaluate objectively the ethics and principles of social, political, philosophical, and economic
doctrines,
6. develop the skills of literature and language analysis through use of original sources
7. develop progressively more sophisticated written communications skills emphasizing
meaning and substance.
TEXTBOOKS: Note that many of the course readings will be done online. There will be other outside
readings and research as well.
 Humanities 105 Reader, compiled by Michael Harnett, available at the GCC Bookstore
 The Dalai Lama, A Policy of Kindness
 Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving
2. Policies
ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all class sessions. Your presence during class and your
participation in discussions are vital to the success of the class and to your grade.
Attendance Policy: Each absence is a deduction from your attendance/participation grade, the percentage of
classes you attend—with this requirement: If you miss more than 6 class hours total, then you are subject
to being dropped or not passing the class, according to GCC policy. Note also that 2 late arrivals or early
exits count as an absence. If you miss more than 6 class hours after midsemester (the end of Week 8),
then your Participation grade will become a D at best, which will affect your overall grade. All of this
applies automatically if I do not hear from you, so make a point to communicate with me at all times. If
you have a scheduling or transportation conflict which causes you always to be late or always leave early,
you should sign up for some other class which avoids the conflict.
Only enrolled students are to be in the classroom.
If the student must withdraw from the class, it is the student's responsibility to do so officially with
the Admissions and Records Office.
DISABILITY CONSIDERATION: All students with disabilities requiring accommodations are
responsible for making arrangements in a timely manner through the Center for Students with
Disabilities. I am happy to make accommodations for you to take examinations if the proper paperwork is
completed ahead of time. See me for help with this or any similar adjustments.
QUIZZES: A quiz over reading matter may be given on any day at the start of class. Each quiz should be
completed within 15 minutes. Do not expect to enter class late and take a quiz. All quiz grades are added
and averaged for that part of your course grade.
OUTSIDE REPORT: For one unit, you will select one movie (or museum to visit or another activity,
depending on the unit) from the list that will be provided early in the semester. By your selected unit’s due
date, you are to write a report that has three parts: 1. a very brief summary of the movie/activity; 2. An
explanation of how the movie/activity relates to one or more themes of the unit, making specific references
to as many of the unit readings as possible; and 3. an application of the theme(s) you explained in the
second part to published nonfiction, research, and scholarly writing (not novels, blogs, or encyclopedias).
Your success on each Outside Report depends largely upon how effectively you connect ideas in the
movie/activity to those in the readings for that unit, as many of the readings as possible. It will also be
important for you to find relevant research/scholarly information and explain how it applies to the ideas
you have pointed out. MLA documentation of sources is required. The Outside Reports are worth 50 points
each. Note: You do not do the Outside Report for the unit in which you are presenting an Oral
Report. More information on a separate handout.
ORAL REPORT: For one unit other than your Oral Report unit, you will select one topic from the list and
signup sheet provided and present an Oral Report to the class at the appropriate time during the semester.
Your report should inform the class of important ideas and show how they are connected to the particular
unit readings very specifically. You are the expert on your chosen topic, the only person who can provide
the needed information on it. You will provide class copies of a clear summary of your main points and
sources. This summary becomes part of the readings and information for the unit, and as such, all
information from Oral Reports may be used on exams. The Oral Report is worth 50 points. More
information on a separate handout.
EXAMS: Exams are subjectively graded essays on topics central to each unit. Having said that, let me add
that the standards of thesis-based essays apply here as they do in any course involving writing, following
MLA standards. There will be 3 in-class exams: the Unit 1 exam in 2 separate parts; the Unit 3 exam, and
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 3
the Unit 4 exam as the final. The Unit 2 Exam is a paper to prepare outside of class. Two pages of notes
(one side of each page, written by you) may be brought to in-class exams. Exams are also open-book for the
unit readings, but not for any outside sources. If possible, the exams will take place in computer labs, but
internet access will be shut off there. The GCC Academic Honesty Policy will be strictly enforced (see
below).
Completing Assignments/Late Policy: All readings and assignments must be completed by the dates listed
in the syllabus to be on time. All work turned in after class on that day or later is subject to being counted
late. The very steep penalty for late work is one full grade reduction per day late—a penalty designed to be
a deterrent to late work! This penalty is automatically imposed unless I hear from you. So be on time, and
if there is a problem, let me know about it and we will work it out.
Make-Up Policy: When you return from an absence, see me immediately. For excused, documented
absences, we will arrange for you to make up the work with no penalty. For other absences, you and I will
discuss the circumstances of your absence, and we will then make a plan for making up the missed work.
Usually, we’ll make some kind of arrangement so that out-of-class essays may be turned in late (whether
there will be penalties or not will be decided on a case-by-case basis). For missed exams, you will need to
arrange a makeup in one of my other classes or the Assessment Center (in SF 112, phone 5329) and tell me
when you have scheduled it. I will prepare a make-up exam that is different from the original but
equivalent. Please note that made-up quizzes and other work may count only for credit, not for scores, so it
is best to have as much of this work completed on time as possible.
ANNOTATIONS: You will complete several sets of annotations of selected readings throughout the
semester. Some of these focus on more than one reading. Using the "Sample Annotation" (handout to be
given) as a model, prepare sentences or questions from marginal notes for each designated assignment.
Asterisks (**) on the assignment sheet remind you when these are due. The ideas and questions from
annotations contribute to our in-class activities. Annotations must be submitted as you enter class on
the day they are due; working on them in class on the day they are due is not acceptable. Late
annotations receive half credit. I highly encourage you to annotate all readings, not just those that you
will turn in. While this will not earn extra credit, it will help you prepare effectively for your exams.
GRADING: The grading scale for exams and reports is as follows: 90-100 =A; 80-89 =B; 70-79 =C; 6069 =D; 60-below=F. I add up all of your points and divide by the total possible. Thus, if you have 90% of
the possible points, after taking attendance and participation into account, then you will have an A. Outside
and Oral Reports are worth 50 points each.
Grades for the following are calculated for the course grade:
 Exams and Work 85%
 4 unit exams (100 points each)
 1 outside report & 1 oral presentation (50 points each)
 quizzes (10 points each, probably about 10 quizzes during the semester)
 annotations: (10-20 points each, depending on length of reading; probably about 10 of these)
 Attendance and Participation 15% (NOTE: see Attendance Policy)
Grading Criteria: In addition to the entry standards for English 101, which are summarized here:
http://vision.glendale.edu/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3233 these criteria determine exam
and report grades:
 Thesis focus
 Organization and logic
 Selection & use of examples
o Coverage of as many readings as possible
o Knowledge of readings and examples used
o Relevance of examples chosen
o Clear reference to sources (in MLA format or by author or title in the sentence itself)
 Depth of development
o Ideas and examples explained to support points and thesis
o Conciseness maintained: detailed enough to explain ideas unmistakably; all parts of the
paper essential—no filler material
 Clarity of expression & grammatical correctness
CONDUCT: You are expected to follow GCC Standards of Student Conduct to maintain a classroom
environment of mutual respect and cooperation. This will allow everyone to contribute to and benefit from
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 4
our shared experience. The policy is available at
http://www.glendale.cc.ca.us/policies&regulations/ARweb/AR5420.htm.
Laptops, Cell Phones, etc.: Laptops tend to cause more distractions than benefits for a variety of
reasons, so I cannot allow them in class. To avoid interruptions and embarrassment, be sure that all cell
phones and other devices are off/silent and put away during class. The classroom is not the place for
these. We need everyone to be able to focus on the subject-matter. If problems with disruptions persist, you
will be asked to leave and your Participation grade will be reduced, first by one full grade, then to a failing
grade, and at the worst cases, being dropped from or failing the class altogether. Do better than that and be
respectful, please.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
The GCC Academic Honesty Policy, available at
http://vision.glendale.edu/index.aspx?page=2596 will be followed. In general, you are responsible for doing
your own work, for not giving or receiving help during quizzes or exams, and for properly using and citing
all information taken from sources, among other aspects of academic honesty. The consequences for
violating the policy are severe: being reported to the Vice President of Instruction, getting an F on the
assignment, and even possible expulsion. On the other hand, the rewards for doing your own work well are
great. Please choose the right path.
The Bottom Line: Complete all assignments; be honest and respectful; participate; think deeply about
topics and ideas; keep an open mind; let me know how I can help you. This class is a wonderful
opportunity to enjoy learning and expand your worldview.
Course Calendar
NOTE: Readings are listed for each class, and must be completed BEFORE their due
dates. I will announce any necessary changes to this schedule, as well as TBA assignments.
Oral Reports will be given throughout the semester as assigned.
Be ready for a quiz at any time! Quizzes cannot be made up.
UNIT 1: I & THEY—Mind and Society
Oral Reports will be part of each class depending on signups; see me at least a week in advance
of your scheduled report.
Introduction. The Human Struggle. Course Overview. Email addresses. Website
Week 1
Wed, 9/5
information. Activity—The Human Struggle: A Creation Story. A Second Human
Struggle Overview Activity: “Desiderata” & Assumptions. Course Theme: Finding
Connections.
Week 2
Unit 1, Part 1: Mind
Mon, 9/10 
Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave" at
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html
Also: an explanation and
drawing of the cave at
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/plato/platos_page.htm

Francis Bacon, “Aphorisms from the Novum Organum” (especially Idols)
at http://people.bu.edu/dklepper/RN242/aphorisms.html**Annotations Due—
about 10 or more facts & accompanying insights, in depth

“Paul Maclean’s Triune Brain Hypothesis” at
http://www.kheper.net/topics/intelligence/MacLean.htm
In Class: Plato quiz (later quizzes may not be announced!). Annotations, Outside
Reports, and Oral Reports Information, with Samples, and Signups. Bacon exercise.
Discussion of Maclean and the nature of the mind. More information and signups.
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Wed, 9/12
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 5

Davis, "Strange Behavior” (Course Reader, pages 7-11)
Also read on the brain and the nature of the mind:

Daniel Garber, “Mind and Body” article on Descartes at
http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/DA026SECT8

Patrick Bracken and Philip Thomas, “Time to Move Beyond the MindBody Split” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1124895/
**Annotations Due

“Philosophy of Mind—Ludwig Wittgenstein”
http://science.jrank.org/pages/10720/Philosophy-Mind-Ludwig-Wittgenstein.html
In Class: Handout by Cousins for Monday. Bill Moyers interview on Mind/Body
(video(s)). Also, information about Dr. Candace Pert on mind and body at
http://www.candacepert.com/
Week 3
Mon, 9/17

Norman Cousins, excerpts from Head First (photocopied handout)
**Annotations due.

Manuela Lenzen, Scientific American interview of Antonio Damasio at
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=feeling-our-emotions
Wed, 9/19 EXAM, UNIT 1, Part 1: Mind.
Reminder: Work on your Outside Report. See me about your Oral Report at least one week before
you are scheduled to present it.
Unit 1, Part 2: Society
Week 4
 Wagner, "Is Equality Indigenous?" (Reader 26-33)
Mon, 9/24
 Frost, "Mending Wall” at http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/frostmending.html
 Morris, "Manwatching" (Reader 36-43)
 Confucius, "Perfect Virtue" (Chapter 12) from the Analects at
http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/lange12.htm Read the 24 Verses.
Wed, 9/26
 Bok, "Lying" (Reader 59-69)
 Locke, Chapter 2 from Of Civil Government at
http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtr02.htm **Annotations due
 Lao-tzu, the Tao-te Ching: Chapters 3, 17, 19, 26, 29-31, 37-38, 46, 53, 5761, 65-67, 75, 80 at http://classics.mit.edu/Lao/taote.html
Allow extra time for Gilgamesh and readings—coming up in Unit 2.
Week 5
Mon, 10/1 Rousseau, The Social Contract, Book I at
http://www.constitution.org/jjr/socon_01.htm
Outside Report for Unit 1 due (if you signed up for Unit 1). Deadline for all
Unit 1 Oral Reports. Exercise and activities to prepare for Unit 1 Exam, Part 2
Wed, 10/3 EXAM, UNIT 1, Part 2: Society
Week 6
Mon, 10/8
Cultural Views
Wed,
10/10
UNIT 2: MYTHOLOGICAL BELIEFS & HEROES
 Kottak, "Disney Myth and Ritual" (Reader 85-92)
 Bettelheim, "The Child's Need for Magic" (Reader 104-111)
Gilgamesh, Tablets I-VI available at
http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mes
In class: “Notes: The Adventure of the
Hero”(included in class notes).
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 6
refer to Joseph Campbell information at
http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php
Also: Bill Moyers interview with
Campbell at
http://www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/h
erojourney.html
Unit 2 Paper Assignment: One Hero
Myth to Analyze—due in two weeks.
Week 7 Reminders: Show me early drafts of your Unit 2 Paper, and also your Unit 2 Outside
Report if you are doing one. See me also if you are scheduled to do a Unit 2 Oral Report.
Mon,
Gilgamesh, Tablets VII-XI
10/15
http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/ **Annotations
due—about 1 (or more) fact and accompanying insight for all 11 tablets
In Class: More on Unit 2 Paper and The Hero’s Adventure stages. Reading for next
time assigned.
Wed,
Heroic Reading (TBA).
10/17
In Class: Unit 2 Outside Report due (if you signed up for it). More on the Unit 2
Paper assignment and activity—the 12 stages of the hero’s journey & film clips.
Week 8
Mon,
Reading (TBA).
10/22
In Class: Paper workshop.
Wed,
Unit 2 Paper Due. Last Day for Unit 2 Oral Reports. Unit 3 preview activity,
10/24
including Buddhism Information (selections) at
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/buddhaintro.html
“The Basics of Buddhist Wisdom” at
http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/buddhawise.html
“Some Simple Instructions for Living a Happy Life, Courtesy of the Buddha” at
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/instructions.html
The Hero
opotamian/gilgamesh/
Midsemester.
UNIT 3: LIFE AND BEYOND
Week 9
Mon,
10/29
Faith
 “The Heart Sutra” at
http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/heartsutra.htm
l
Also see: The Wheel of Life information at
http://www.buddhanet.net/wheel2.htm
“Skillfulness” in The Wings to Awakening from
the Pali Canon at
http://www.buddhanet.net/wings_1a.htm Note:
skip down and start reading at
§ 1. Before my self-awakening,…
Filial Piety Sutra at http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/filial-sutra.htm
Begin reading A Policy of Kindness.
In Class: quiz or in-class
assignment. Also: Gospel of
Buddha and Zen Koans
assignments for next time.
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Wed,
10/31
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 7
Buddhist Scriptures.

“Dukkhasacca Pabba (Section on the
Noble Truth of Dukkha)” at
http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/mahasati15.htm

***Annotations Due (at least 5): The
Discourse on Blessings, called the “Maha
Mangala Sutta” from the section called
Everyman’s Ethics at
http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/ethics_m.htm

***Annotations Due (at least 5): Gospel
of Buddha at http://reluctantmessenger.com/gospel_buddha/index.htm
selections.

Zen Koans (Parables) selected from list at
http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/zenindex.ht
ml
Week 10 Take notes on A Policy of Kindness as you read.
Mon, 11/5 The Dalai Lama (compiled by Sidney Piburn), A
Policy of Kindness (Chapters 1-8, pages 15-80).
Wed, 11/7
A Policy of Kindness (Chapters 9-16)
**Annotations Due on the entire
book—about 1-2 facts and insights for
each of the 16 chapters. Also: begin
readings on death (see below).
In Class: Key Buddhist
Teachings. Activity with the
Zen Koans.
Also in class: About The Dalai
Lama—see
http://www.tibet.com/DL/biog
raphy.html
Also in class: More on Buddhism;
Jainism—see http://www.jainism.org/
and http://www.jaincenter.net/newsite/
and similarities vs. differences among
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism
Week 11
Tour of Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple (TBA—Friday, 11/16)
Mon,
GCC Closed for Veterans’ Day.
11/12
Wed,
Davis, “Life After Life” (Reader 114Poems on death and dying (TBA). In11/14
119)
class assignment in lieu of annotations.
Davis, “Surprise! It’s Judgment Day”
Additional reading for next week
Death
(Reader 129-135)
assigned (TBA).
Kubler Ross, “The Fear of Dying”
(Reader 164-167)
Week 12
Mon,
11/19
Exam, Unit 3 (Life and Beyond).
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 8
UNIT 4: HATE & LOVE
Week 12, continued
Wed,
Unit 3 Outside Report due (if
11/21
applicable to you). Last day for
Anger
Unit 3 Oral Reports.
Tavris, “The Anger Business.
Anger: The Misunderstood
Emotion” at [link dead—handout
or in class]
Other anger/hate reading: Seneca,
On Anger
http://praxeology.net/seneca2.htm
[note: replaced link; this one has
2 pages]
Thursday, Thanksgiving Vacation. GCC
11/22 and Closed.
Friday,
Happy Thanksgiving!
11/23
In Class: Activities involving anger readings.
Leonard Ingram Anger Management clip from
CBS Sunday Morning at
http://www.angermgmt.com/ Bradbury handout
for next time. Additional happiness reading(s)
assigned for next time (TBA).
Start reading The Art of Loving.
In class— Happiness readings. Also, preview

Bradbury, excerpt from
of Aristotle reading and annotations
Dandelion Wine (handout).
assignments for next time. Positive Psychology
 Van Boven,
selections assigned for Monday (TBA). See
“Experientialism,
http://www.ppresearch.sas.upenn.edu/.
Materialism, and the Pursuit
of Happiness” (.pdf on
website in Course Materials).
Wed,

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1, Chapters 8-13; Book 2, Chapters
11/28
1-6 at http://www.constitution.org/ari/ethic_00.htm
http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html **Annotations Due (12 or
more total).

Also, Positive Psychology: Look through the extensive UPenn website,
including articles, questionnaires, and online research at
http://www.ppresearch.sas.upenn.edu/. Read assigned selections.
In Class: Happiness Reading/s
Week 14
 Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, "A New England
Mon, 12/3
Activity (handout). More on
Nun" at
Love
http://www.americanliterature.com/Freeman/S Positive Psychology. Readings
on Love.
S/ANewEnglandNun.html
 Hendrix & Hunt, “Getting the Love You
Want” at
http://www.soulfulliving.com/love_you_want.
htm
Wed, 12/5 Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving (Chapters 1-2). In Class: More on happiness.
More Unit 4 Oral Reports.
Fromm, Chapters 3-4. **Annotations Due on
In Class: Love poetry. Oral
Week 15
Mon,
entire book—at least 20 annotations total. Last
Reports. Unit 4 Overview.
12/10
day for Unit 4 Oral Reports. Unit 4 Outside
Exam Preparation.
Report due (if applicable to you)
Monday, 12/17, 10:30 AM
Unit 4 Exam (Final): Hate and Love
Week 13
Mon,
11/26
Happiness
Humanities 105, Dr. Harnett
Fall, 2012 Syllabus, page 9