Heartland Community College

COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: HUMA 101

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to the Humanities
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: August 23, 2016
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3

LABORATORY HOURS:

CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):

Introduction to the Humanities is the study of social and cultural values as expressed through the
major art forms, including painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, drama, music, dance, film,
and photography. The course will examine the elements and formal qualities that are
characteristic of each art form, the relationships between the arts, and the social and historical
contexts from which they developed.
INSTRUCTOR:
Mrs. Elizabeth Bell
Email: ewilliams@gmail.com
Website: ebe2l.weebly.com
Office hours: 2:00-3:15 Tuesday and Thursday or by appointment
CLASS MEETINGS:
Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-4:45
TEXTBOOKS:
Martin, F. David, and Lee A. Jacobus. The Humanities Through the Arts. 8th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
SUPPLIES:
A composition notebook
A small pair of scissors
A glue stick
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:

HUMA 101 fulfills 3 hours of the semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required
for the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core
Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor
for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for
information as well at www.itransfer.org.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
Course Outcomes

General
Range of Assessment Methods
Education
Outcomes
Display understanding of the role of the arts and DI3
Class discussion, In-class activities, Writing
humanities in society, as well as in one's own
assignments
life.
Analyze works in the arts and humanities as
Class discussion, In-class activities, Exams
products of a particular sociocultural
framework.
Demonstrate the ability to appreciate and utilize CO1
Writing assignments, Quizzes, Exams
the processes of criticism and evaluation as
useful heuristics.
Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the DI5
Class discussion, Writing assignments
extent and impact of cultural diversity in our
society as reflected in the arts and humanities.
Become aware of how themes we find in the
DI4
Class discussion, In-class activities, Writing
arts and humanities relate to contemporary
assignments
worldwide issues.
Interact with other individuals and in groups to PS4
Class discussion, In-class activities, Writing
come to a consensus about an issue in the
assignments
humanities and how to approach it productively.
Identify appropriate topics for scholarly research CT2
Writing assignments
in the arts and humanities, utilize standard
bibliographic and other research tools, select
suitable sources and methodology, and write
papers presenting the results of their research
while observing the conventions of scholarly
discourse.
CO1 (Communications Outcome 1): Students compose a message and provide ideas and
information suitable to the topic, purpose, and audience.

DI3 (Diversity Outcome 3): Students reflect upon the formation of their own perspectives,
beliefs, opinions, attitudes, ideals, and values.
DI4 (Diversity Outcome 4): Students explain the contributions of diverse perspectives to the
development of various fields of inquiry and to society as a whole, and re-examine their own
values and beliefs in light of the insights they have gained from their study of other cultures.
DI5 (Diversity Outcome 5): Students consistently and characteristically approach diversity
issues in a manner that exemplifies respect for and appreciation of difference.
PS4 (Problem Solving Outcome 4): Student analyzes the situation, explores different outcomes
from multiple frameworks, applies the appropriate solution, analyzes the results, and refines the
solution.
CT2 (Critical Thinking Outcome 2): Students determine value of multiple sources or strategies
and select those most appropriate in a given context.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
Cultural Contexts of the Humanities
Defining & Evaluating Art
Painting
Sculpture
Architecture
Literature
Drama
Music
Dance
Film
Photography
Their Interrelationships of the Arts
The Role of Humanities & the Arts in Society
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Exams (4 at 50pts each)
200 points
Daybook
Periodic check-ins (10 at 5 points each)
50 points
Portfolio interview
150 points
Project
200 points

Attendance and Participation

200 points
Final Exam
200 points
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
92-100 % = A (915 to 1000 points)
83-91 % =B (825 to 914 points)
74-82 % =C (735 to 824 points)
65-73 % =D (645 to 734 points)
Below 65%=F (644 points and below)

Required Reading and Writing:

Required reading will include approximately 45-50 pages per week, both from the required text
and from other sources relevant to the arts and the humanities. Students will write the equivalent
of 12-15 pages of writing (researched-based and/or response) throughout the semester.
Course Calendar: (See website for specific assignment instructions)
Week 1: Introduction and central definitions
Week 2: What is a work of art?
Week 3: What are we supposed to look at? Is it art or something like it?
Week 4: Exam 1 and Painting
Week 5: Painting and Photography
Week 6: Sculpture and Architecture
Week 7: Architecture and Exam 2
Week 8: Literature
Week 9: Theater
Week 10: Exam 3 and Music
Week 11: Music and Dance
Week 12: Film
Week 13: Television and Exam 4
Week 14: Interrelationships of the Arts and writing project due
Week 15: Interrelationships of the Humanities
Week 16: Daybook Portfolio Interviews and Final Exam Review

The schedule in this syllabus is merely an outline and is subject to change. Please see the website for the
most detailed and current schedule. You will be informed of any schedule changes in class.

Midterm Withdrawl Policy:

If you meet the following criteria, you may be dropped at mid-term:

Two or more absences

50% or more of required work missing

Not actively engaged in class (e.g. not logging on to Blackboard, not

communicating with the instructor, not prepared for or participating in class)

Attendance Policy:
In a humanities class, your attendance is necessary, not only because the class activities will help
you understand the material but because by definition, a humanities class is centrally about the
interaction of human beings. Additionally, your own participation is helpful to other students
and helps build a strong community of writers and readers. I understand that from time to time,
circumstances may make it impossible for you to attend class. I recommend that you do your
best to avoid any absences. Each absence will result in deductions for both participation for that
days class period and any work that is to be turned in that day.
Participation Policy:
This is an active class in which I will rarely lecture. There will be a variety of activities during
each class period that are designed to challenge you, ask you to think differently, help reinforce
or explain relevant concepts or material, allow you to practice the skills were working to
develop, give you time to reflect on your own learning or encourage you to plan for an upcoming
assignment. Some of these activities will feel silly and others will be more serious. Of course,
everyone has times when they are uncomfortable participating or think that they dont have
anything to contribute. But, I ask only one thing of you. Choose to participate. If you
consistently choose to let down your guard and play along, you will be surprised at how much
you will learn. For each class, you will get 5 points for being in class, being prepared and for
choosing to participate. If you are in class, but choose not to participate or come unprepared,
you will receive 2 points.
Late Work Policy:
Work (including reading, writing, and other projects) is due at the beginning of the class for
which it is assigned. Late work will not be accepted except in extreme circumstances. You will
not be allowed to make up missed exams unless you provide written notification prior to the
exam or proper documentation in the case of emergency. You will be expected to complete the
exam prior to the next class period.
Computer and Cell Phone Use:
You will be expected to give your full attention to your classmates and to class
discussion/activities. While I understand the need (and desire) of checking email, text messages,
Facebook, or other computerized communications, there is a time when these activities are
appropriate. You are more than welcome to use the computers before class to do these activities

but you will be asked to engage with the class once class starts. Research shows that writing by
hand helps your brain process and retain information more efficiently and accurately. I will ask
that you do a lot of writing by hand unless you are unable to. If you need to have your cell
phone on to respond to a personal emergency, please tell me before class starts so we can make
arrangements.
Extra Credit:
Depending on campus and community events, there may be extra credit opportunities
throughout the semester. Each extra credit opportunity is worth 10 points. In order to earn extra
credit, you must attend the event and take notes and then write a two-page response describing
your reactions to the event and connecting it to the ideas we are discussing in class. The twopage response will be due on the Tuesday following the event.
See the Student Packet for more information