Faculty Syllabus

Course Rationale
The study of the humanities from a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective affords the student the opportunity not only to acquire a deeper appreciation of particular works of art but also to gain a larger perspective on the work of art as an expression of the human spirit in a particular time and place.
 

Course Objectives/Outcomes
As a result of having taken this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify a variety of significant works of art from various times and places in human history.
2. Analyze works of art within their cultural context.
3. Evaluate the relationship between the arts and human values.
    

As a result of having taken this course, students will also be able to:

1. Set goals to support personal motivation and achievement.
2. Adopt a growth mindset toward personal education and career goals which fosters hard work, grit, a desire for continual improvements, and persistence in the face of failure.
3. Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and examine how intrinsic motivation encourages lifelong learning.
4. Apply principles of metacognition to increase self-awareness of the learning process and personal strengths and weaknesses as a learner.
5. Enhance emotional intelligence, thereby improving interpersonal, leadership, and self-management skills.

General Education Objectives/Outcomes
As a result of having taken this course, students will be able to:

1. Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
2. Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
3. Personal Responsibility: Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences.
4. Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness): Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include
5. intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Your grade will be determined by means of the following breakdown:
● Class Attendance and Participation — 30%
● 3 Study Question Essay Assignments — 30% (10% for each paper)
● 3 Making Connections Presentations — 30 % (10% each)
● 12 Journal Posts — 10%

See the details for each of these assignments are below and also in our class page on Blackboard.

• The Odyssey By Homer Emily Wilson Translation preferred.   ISBN:   9780393356250 
• The Meno by Plato Hackett numbered version preferred  ISBN:   9780915144242
• Euclid's Elements Book 1 w/ Questions. Special Edition for this class. Order this version only.  ISBN:   9781888009460
• The Heart of Chinese Poetry  ISBN:   9780385239677
• Various on-line readings will also be provided through Blackboard.

Participation:
This course is all about discussion and participation. The central activity in class time will involve talking about the readings assigned above. Thoughtful and consistent participation is a very important part of the class. Each student is expected to be an active participant. Your presence is requested and required. This is the single most important component of the course. The class does not work unless each student is an active participant in the course. If you were not usually the one to talk in class discussion in the past, don’t worry, this is a supportive group where you will get an opportunity to practice participating. Participation is 30% of your course grade.

Study Questions for Class Discussion:
Each reading assignment will include several study questions to help direct your reading of the text. Careful thinking about the study questions while you are reading and before coming to class will help you form your thoughts and make class conversation easy and enjoyable.
 

Study Question Essays:
You must complete three Formal Study Question Assignments on **starred** study questions over the duration of the semester. See Course Calendar for due dates. Assignments are submitted via Blackboard. Assignments must be between 450-500 words, exclusive of quotations. You should select a passage from the assigned reading that you think addresses one of the starred (**) study questions. Then, you should reproduce this passage, paraphrase it in your own words and explain why that passage addressed the study question. Finally, answer any additional parts of the questions. Please review the grading rubric on Blackboard to see how your faculty leaders will grade your assignment. This should be used to help guide your drafting of the assignment.

Making Connections Presentations:
Throughout this semester, each student will complete three “Making Connection” assignments in preparation for course meetings and discussions. In preparation for “Making Connections” days you will (1) explore a list of great works that humans have created, (2) select a work that interests you, and (3) conduct research to learn about the work. On “Making Connections” days, you will have an opportunity to share what you have learned with your classmates, and learn about what they have discovered.

These assignments are designed to encourage students to explore works of cultural significance and broaden their cultural and historical knowledge base.

Faculty Meetings:
Students will meet privately with their professor twice each semester. Remember, your faculty leaders are not just here to guide you in this course, but to help you understand how to navigate ACC as well. They will help introduce you to ACC resources and make sure you have the support you need to be successful.
 

Student Success Journal:
You will create journal entries throughout the semester. Consider this a conversation with your professor and yourself. These are intended to be reflective and are not formal writing assignments.