Humanities 1301 Syllabus

Revision date: Fall, 2006

Music and Humanities Department

San Antonio College / 1300 San Pedro Ave. / San Antonio, TX 78212-4299

Course number and title: Huma 1301. The Humanistic Tradition.

Credit Hours: 3 Hrs/wk lec.: 3 Hrs/wk lab: 3 Lec/Lab: 3/0

Office: McAllister Fine Arts Building, Room 105 Phone (210) 733-2731 Fax (210) 733-2985

Web Address: www.accd.edu/sac/music

I. Catalog description

Huma 1301. The Humanistic Tradition.

Prerequisite: None.

This course is an interdisciplinary survey of the humanistic tradition from early times to the Byzantine Period (C.E. 500) from a global and multicultural perspective. The student will gain perspectives of the humanistic tradition by focusing on the creative legacies of early civilizations in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia: literature, philosophy, history, architecture, visual arts, music, and dance.

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements

None

III. Text and other materials students are required to provide

Text: Bentley, J. and Ziegler, H., Traditions & Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, 3^rd ed., McGraw-Hill.

IV. Instruction will consist of:

A. Lecture and demonstration

B. Audio/visual assisted instruction

1. Audio recordings

2. Video tapes/DVDs

3. Transparencies

4. Computer-assisted multimedia presentations

C. Class participation and discussion

V. Course Content

This course provides a survey of the world’s ancient civilizations using an interdisciplinary approach. Students will become familiar with a fundamental body of knowledge from the disciplines of history, anthropology, archaeology, visual and performing arts, philosophy, religion, and others that will allow for an understanding of both Western and nonwestern civilizations. In addition, by focusing on the interrelationship between those who create art and socio-historical forces in a given culture at a given time, the course will encourage students to gain a more complete understanding of the creative and philosophical processes of the past and their influences on modern society.

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students’ mastery of those outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the creative legacy of the world’s major civilizations in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia up to the Byzantine Era. They will be able to understand the historic, artistic and cultural achievements of these early civilizations and will gain an understanding of how these achievements were transmitted from early man through the sixth century. Students will be able to make trans-historical connections and detect currents among artifacts, concepts, and events studied upon the completion of this course.

Performance Objectives:

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

A. identify the major artistic and cultural characteristics and legacies of each of ancient civilization presented in class to include time and geographic location.

B. define specific and related terms for each civilization as discussed in class, the textbook, or supplementary material.

C. identify the diversity of ideas and practices found in human societies around the globe and make trans-historical connections

D. write short essays and/or give classroom presentations on previously announced topics.

Methods of Measurement: Students will have achieved mastery of Learning Outcomes with at least a 70% of the final grade:

· Exams, assessed by the instructor and assigned a grade;

· Assignments, assessed by the instructor and factored into the students’ grade;

· Class participation, factored into the students’ grade;

· A comprehensive (“capstone”) Final Exam, worth at least 10% of the students’ final grade.

VII. Course Requirements and Grade Computation

A. College Requirements

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B. Departmental Requirements

A. Students are to attend one concert from the department’s recital/concert series or one equivalent concert as approved by the instructor, and perform one out-of-class visit to an area museum.

B. Retention Means Completing the Course

The faculty members of the Music/Humanities department are committed to your successful completion of our classes without lowering the college’s academic standards. As a department, we have set a goal to increase the number of students who finish our classes with a performance grade (A, B, C, or D). As faculty (and former college students), we have discussed the many pressures (work, financial, family) that our students must face. Certainly, some of these issues are beyond your control. However, there may be something that can be done that would make the difference in whether you complete the course. If we are made aware of circumstances that impact your participation in class, we can be of assistance. Although this syllabus is full of requirements and policies, we are not inflexible. Please do not stop coming to class or drop the class without first talking to the instructor. Dropping a course should be your last step. Be aware that dropping may impact your grade point average, financial aid, and health insurance policies (some require you to be a full time 12 hour student). As experienced instructors, there may be options that we can point out that have not occurred to you. We are here to help you, but you must be willing to help yourself. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for advice. Your success matters to your instructor and it is a top priority in the department.

C. Instructor Requirements

(Customized by each instructor – see Faculty web page, then select Course

Information)

VIII. College Policies

A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C. ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each. Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W” (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (for information on college closures)

J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the

“Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf