Aquinas College :: Humanities

Syllabus

The Aquinas College Humanities Program is a common learning experience for all traditional age sophomores designed as an interdisciplinary survey of human cultural achievement in the Western Humanistic Tradition, which has shaped more than any other our cultural and social identity as Americans. Pursuing the liberal arts aspect of Aquinas' mission, this two semester sequence is based on the assumption that, among other things, "an educated person should have a critical appreciation of the ways in which we gain and apply knowledge and understanding of the universe, of society, and of ourselves. Specifically, he or she should have an informed acquaintance with the aesthetic and intellectual experience of literature and the arts."

(Harvard Core Curriculum Report, 1978)

Goals

To help students develop writing, thinking, speaking, and research skills necessary for their personal and professional futures, and that they may become lifelong learners.
To provide students with learning experiences in Humanities disciplines but also that reflect transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary connections.
In accordance with the nature of the institution as a Catholic/Christian College, to create a learning environment conducive to the awareness of the religious dimension of human existence.
To provide students with opportunities to develop a global/international perspective and an understanding and appreciation of other peoples and cultures through a historical survey of human cultural achievement in the Western Humanistic Tradition and other cultural traditions that have impacted it.
To provide students with an awareness of the importance of sound, ethical decisions and with concepts, models, approaches and tools used to make those decisions for themselves.

Learner Outcomes

The successful student in this course will be able to demonstrate

an understanding of the history of the Western Humanistic Tradition.
the ability to analyze and interpret individual works of art, music, and literature within that tradition.
an understanding of the interconnections and reactions between disciplines and artistic movements.
the ability to write effectively at the college level.
the ability to conduct effective college level research.
strong critical thinking skills.
mastery of format and documentation.

Textbooks

Matthews, Roy and F. Dewitt Platt, The Western Humanities, Fifth edition (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

Homer, The Odyssey, trans. Robert Fagles (Penguin, 1996)

Sophocles, The Three Theban Plays, trans. Robert Fagles (Penguin, 1984)

Virgil, The Aeneid, trans. David West (Penguin, 1991)

Dante, The Inferno, trans. John Ciardi (Signet Classic, 2001)

Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, trans. Neville Coghill (Penguin Classic)

Diana Hacker, A Writer's Reference, 5th ed. ( Bedford/St. Martins)

How the Course Works

This section of Humanities will meet twice weekly for 75-minute sessions which will usually follow a seminar format: students should be prepared to discuss textbook readings in depth during class. Students will also be expected to attend several presentations outside of class time over the course of the semester. A calendar of events from which to choose and a more detailed description of requirements associated with these events will be provided by the instructor

Included among these sheets is a calendar of class meetings with assignments. It is your road map for the course. Consult it often to confirm what your assignments entail, when they are due, and when you are scheduled for an exam.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to come to each class with their text(s) and having read all assigned material. Students who miss a class meeting must take responsibility for all material covered.
Attendance at selected cultural presentations is required for all Humanities students.
Intelligent oral student participation is an important element in this class and will be counted toward a student's grade.

In case of absence from class or special events, the following policy will be implemented:

With four (4) absences, your final grade for the course will fall a full letter grade.
With seven (7) absences, your final grade will fall a second full letter grade.
Beyond that, you will receive an automatic no credit for the course.
If there is a compelling reason why you cannot attend your class, please contact your instructor in advance.

Evaluation

You will be held responsible for the reading assignments, papers, oral presentations and other assignments. Final grades will be based on the following scale:

Examinations:	50%
Papers (2):	30%
Participation, including In-class presentations:	20%

Note: To receive credit and a grade in the course, students must turn in all assignments. Assignments not turned in by announced due dates will receive a grade reduction. Instructors will explain this policy during the first meeting.

Standards Statement

Standards for the course are determined by the Aquinas College General Education Program. The institution's philosophy on General Education has been greatly influenced by the national liberal arts reform movement sparked by such documents as the Harvard Core Curriculum Report of 1978 and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Missions of the College Curriculum .

Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are not tolerated. See the "Academic Dishonesty" statement in the College Catalog for a full description of the college's policy.

Resources

In addition to holdings in the Grace Hauenstein Library, the Humanities maintains a supplemental library in its Resource Room (AB 359). The Woodhouse Library also subscribes to numerous databases (First Search, InfoTrac, ArtSTOR and others) to support academic research and learning.

Schedule of classes, readings and assignments

Humanities First Sememster Schedule

Complete the assigned reading before you come to class; you should be prepared to talk about it or write about it without advance warning.