Syllabus

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to survey selected historical examples of architecture, literature, music, philosophy, and both the plastic and visual art of Western Culture from the early Renaissance to the present.  This survey is presented in order to assist students in the recognition and fundamental understanding of the continuity of stylistic elements of the past with their own contemporary cultural situations.

Course Objectives: 

1.                  To differentiate between the various genres and disciplines of in European culture from the Renaissance to the present day.

2.                  To recognize and attempt to implement a systematic and research oriented method of studying human culture.

3.                  To develop and maintain descriptive skills as a result of exposure to guided examples of European culture from the Renaissance to the present day.

4.                  To develop and maintain analytical skills, especially critical reasoning, in response to the challenge of a presentation of differing European styles exhibited from the Renaissance to the present day.

5.                  To demonstrate in written form the continuity of elements in the European past with their own contemporary culture.

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Introduction to the Humanities
The Early Renaissance
The High Renaissance in Italy
The Renaissance in Northern Europe
The Baroque
The Eighteenth Century
The Romantic Era
The Modern Era

Requirements: To get above an “F” in this class you must meet the Attendance requirement, take all Exams and Tests, turn in all Papers, and complete your Artifact Experience requirements.

Attendance:  If you are absent for six (6) classes or more you will fail this class.  You must be in class by the time attendance has been taken and not leave before the end of class to be counted present. Tardiness occurs when you are present for less than half of the class.  Being tardy counts as ½ of an absence.  It is your responsibility to notify me that you are tardy or will be tardy, the day you are tardy immediately before or after class.  If you fail to do so, the day will count as an absence.  The book does not cover all of the material over which you will be tested.  Some of the material will be only offered in class.  Therefore, I highly recommend that you get class notes from another student if you miss class. 

Exams:  You will have five exams including the final.  Each exam may include multiple choice, matching and essay questions, and cover all assigned readings and all material covered in class. Possible essay questions are listed below.  Two will be listed on the exam, and you will choose one on which to write.  You must memorize your prepared answer.

Exam Make-up Policy: To make up an exam you must either give me written notification of your intent to miss an exam before missing it OR you must supply appropriate documentation of an emergency.  If you provide written intent, then you must make up the exam before its scheduled time.  In case of emergency you must notify me by the next class. 

Artifact Identification Tests: There will be five (5) artifact identification tests.  The first four will be worth 25 points each, while the last will be worth 50 points.  The date for each is listed in the schedule.  They will take place in class.  They will take only about 10 minutes.  You will be presented with a picture of an artifact or a sample of a text and you will be expected to name the piece and the creator. The pictures will be of anything addressed in your text, or any piece given in a powerpoint presentation for that section.

Test Make-up Policy: To make up an exam you must either give me written notification of your intent to miss an exam before missing it OR you must supply appropriate documentation of an emergency.  If you provide written intent, then you must make up the exam before its scheduled time.  In case of emergency you must notify me by the next class. 

Papers: You are to write two (2) papers describing a stylistic feature, how that feature is a product of the historical and cultural context and how it relates to one artifact.  For further instructions, see below.

Late Paper Make-up Policy: Papers are due by 11:59 PM the day listed in the schedule below.  Without appropriate documentation of an emergency, the grades for late papers will have five percentage points deducted from them for each calendar day (not class) they are late.  Those students providing appropriate documentation will be considered on a case by case basis.

Artifact Experience: This assignment is worth 50 points.  It is due by the last Thursday before the end of the semester.  You are required to visit one of the pieces on which you write.  Please see the "Experiencing an Artifact" link in the syllabus. You can drop the final paperwork off in the dropbox.

Extra Credit: Experiencing other pieces of art, musical performances, dramatic performances, literary events, philosophical events, and religious events that relate to the class are candidates for extra-credit.  Each instance of extra credit will add 1% point to your final grade.  I will count a maximum of 5 extra-credit points.  The only conditions are that it is cleared by me before hand, you write a one page reaction paper, and that you provide proof of being there (ticket or comparable item).  I will clear them if they (1) relate directly to the content of our course and (2) are outside the realm of your typical experience (for example, going to your own church on Sunday does not count).   Examples include: performances of plays or music written during the relevant period, a visit to an art museum to see a piece from the relevant time period other than a piece about which you are writing in a Humanities Experience, and visiting a philosophical or religious lecture about a topic from the appropriate time period.  I will stop accepting extra-credits exactly one week prior to the final.

Reading: Classroom lectures and discussions will presuppose a careful reading of the assignments for that day.  This does not mean that you must have mastered the material.  This does mean that you have made a significant effort to understand the general points of the material and that you are ready to ask and discuss thoughtful questions about the material.  You may be called on at random to explain key points.  All required readings will be in the required texts, on reserve in the library, or handed out in class.  You will be given appropriate notice of assigned readings.  Complimentary readings may be suggested in class.

Schedule

January 2008

 February 

March 

April 

May

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Student Code of Conduct: For a complete college-wide policy statement concerning the student code of conduct and disciplinary procedures, please refer to the ECC Catalogue.  For this class take special note of the following:

Plagiarism: “Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation or use by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. Plagiarism includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.” (ECC Catalogue, Online)

Disciplinary Action: Plagiarism will be dealt with severely.  For minimal infractions (e.g., an uncited paraphrase) that portion of the student’s work will be treated as if the material contained therein was not addressed in the assignment, causing the student to have the appropriate points deducted from the grade for that assignment.  More severe infractions (e.g., a plagiarized direct quotation) will result in 0% for the assignment.  More severe plagiarism will result in course failure. There will be no exceptions.  For acute problems, the student will be referred to the appropriate college authorities.  Please refer to the ECC Catalogue for further disciplinary details.

Cheating: “Cheating includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, Exams, or examinations; (2) use or dependence on the aid of sources beyond those permitted or authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition, without permission, of Exams or other academic material belonging to a member of the college faculty or staff.” (ECC Catalogue, Online)

Disciplinary Action: Cheating will be dealt with severely.  A cheating student will be given an “F” for the class.  There will be no exceptions.  For acute problems, the student will be referred to the appropriate college authorities.  Please refer to the ECC Catalogue for further disciplinary details.

In Class Behavior: Class participation, questions, and contribution to the discussion are welcome and expected.  You are expected to be class participants, not irresponsible bystanders.  In addition to participating in class, you must remain attentive to classroom events.  You may not read the newspaper, other text books (or books in general), do homework, or be otherwise disruptive.  If you insist on such behavior, you will be asked to leave the class.  Please turn off all pagers and cell phones before entering class. 

Students with Disabilities: The College Catalogue describes that some accommodation or support may be provided to students with disabilities. If you wish to learn about the services that are available for your specific needs make an appointment with Ms. Annabelle Rhoades in the Learning Skills Center at (847) 697-1000 x-7220.

If you have a documented disability which may affect your ability to complete a test, paper, or other assignment in this class, please see me so that we can make appropriate arrangement BEFORE the test, paper or assignment is due. 

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