Tentative Course Syllabus

HUM 2210-H – Honors Humanistic Tradition I (8-10)

Fall 2010

 

Instructor: Dr. Harry S. Coverston

Phones: (407) 823-2904

Office:       PSY 227

Class Meeting: MWF 10:30 – 11:20 BHC 0126

Hours:     Real live human being office hours

Email:  WebCT Course Mail ONLY

             

              MW 2:30 – 4 PM, F 2:30 – 4:30 PM by appointment

Virtual Office Hours nightly by 10 p.m. (Su-R) 

- this means I check your coursemails by 10 p.m. 

 

Course Description: An interdisciplinary, multicultural study of the arts and sciences contributed by diverse human traditions to world civilization. Focus is on ancient civilizations and the cultural heritage stemming from them. Primary sources (in translation) are emphasized(UCF Course Catalogue 2005-6)

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Course Objectives

 

 

1. To analyze, evaluate and discuss the chronology and significance of major events and movements in western, U.S. and world civilizations in each of the periods studied (Stone Ages, Bronze Age, Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Reformation) (SACs specific objective 2)) 

 

2. To understand, interpret and discuss how those ideas and developments are reflected in the art, music, drama, literature, religion and philosophy of each period

 

3. To develop skills in critical and creative exploration of different cultures, traditions, and depth dimensions of the human spirit through readings, discussions, debates, group research and presentations, written and creative art work

 

4. To develop a better understanding of myself and my place in human history which can be formed, reflected upon critically and articulated in verbal, written and non-verbal form.

 

 

Practical Skills Developed

 

Students will develop and practice the following skills in this course:

 

1. THINKING:

•           Development of critical analysis, questioning of presumptions, awareness of one's own             hermeneutical lens; 

•           Development of expansive thought, developing data into knowledge through understanding the context, subtext and significance of ideas; 

•           Development of creative, synthetic thought which applies knowledge through expressions unique to the individual

 

2. EXPRESSION:

•           Development of student's ability to write at college level 

•           Development of ability to construct logical arguments to support positions 

•           Development of ability to express ideas through multi-media technologies and non-verbal expressions

•           Development of student's ability to express ideas in group and class discussions

 

3. INTERACTIVE:

•           Development of ability to work with other individuals and as a member of a group

                       

Required Texts:

             

            * Henry M. Sayre, The Humanities: Culture, Continuity & Change, Vol. I, Prehistory to 1600 (Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson, 2008)

                       

            * Henry M. Sayre, The Humanities: Culture, Continuity & Change, Vol. I, Prehistory to 1600 Music CD: Volume 1

 

            * Other assigned materials as provided

 

            Students are required to bring all materials with them needed for each class session. This includes texts and provided materials.

 

          Students are required to have the course texts by the first class.

 

 

  • Ground Rules Please read these! The preliminary module quiz is based in part on these rules. Your continued presence in this class after the add/drop period constitutes your consent to be bound by these ground rules.

 

  • Covenant to Participate in a Learning Community spells out the remainder of instructor and student obligations in the course and will provide the basis for student self-evaluation at the end of the term.

 

  • Withdrawal Deadline: It is this instructor's desire and intent that every student complete this course in good standing. However, should it become necessary for the student to withdraw, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course prior to the deadline on

      Friday, Oct. 15, 11:59 PM.  

 

 

Course Grading

 

 

1. ENGAGEMENT

 

This class requires active engagement of all students. Students can earn up to 300 total points in a number of activities including:

 

·         Group Presentations 

·         Class Activities

·         Attendance                         

·         End of Term Self-Evaluation

 

                 

ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT TOTAL = 300/800 total points

                                                                  (38% of total grade)

 

 

2. GORDON RULE WRITING COMPONENT

 

This is a Gordon Rule course.

 

Florida's Gordon Rule (as applied at UCF) requires a passing score (60% or >) on a minimum of four papers per class. Additionally, students must earn at least a C- in the class as a whole for Gordon Rule credit. Failure to attain a passing score on all four Gordon Rule Papers will mean that students cannot make a grade higher than a D+ for the course.

   

 

Students can meet the Gordon Rule requirement through the following assignments:

 

 

A. Gordon Rule Papers - 3 @ 35 points = 105 total pts.

 

 

B. Summary Reflection Paper (Required) – 70 points paper

 

           

WRITING COMPONENT TOTAL = 4 papers @  175/800 points

                                                                        (22% of total grade)

 

 

3. EXAMINATIONS AND QUIZZES

 

 

A. CONTENT QUIZZES - 25 quizzes @ 5 pts. = 125 total

 

           

B. EXAMINATIONS - 2 @ 100 points = 200 points total

 

·         Students will take three examinations each covering approximately 1/3 of the course material worth 100 points possible.

·         Students will drop the lower grade of the first two examinations. The higher of the two exams will be added to Exam III which will be given on the final exam date.

·         All students will take some version of Exam III.

·         There will be no comprehensive mid-term or final examination.

·         Students who make at least an A- on the first two exams will take an open book, open note Alternative Exam III.

 

There will be no makeup exams given.

 

            Two exam scores @ 100 points each = 200 points

 

            EXAMINATION AND QUIZZES COMPONENT TOTAL = 325/800 points

                                                                                                (41% of total grade)

 

EXTRA CREDIT

 

Extra Credit - Students are encouraged to suggest extra credit possibilities available to all students. Extra credit may only be earned by submitting a written report of the event observed. If Extra Credit is offered, a format will be provided.

 

Bear in mind that up to 50 points extra credit are available through completing the Utopia extra credit paper and taking the five extra content quizzes beyond the 25 required.

 

GRADING SCALE 

 

93 - 100 = A           

88-89 = B+

78-79 = C+

68-69 = D+

Below 60 = F

90-92 = A-

83-87 = B           

73-77 = C

63-67 = D

 

 

80-82 = B-

70-72 = C-

60-62 = D-

 

 

for an explanation of what these grades mean, see So, what does my grade mean?

 

 

FINAL GRADES (Out of 800 possible points total)

 

744-800 = A

696-719 = B +

616 - 639 = C+

536 - 559 = D+

Below 480 = F

720-743 = A-

664-695 = B

584 - 615 = C

 504 - 535 = D

 

 

640 - 663 = B-

560 - 583 = C-

480 - 503 = D-

 

 

All borderline cases will be decided upon participation and attendance grades at discretion of instructor.

 

Final Comments: If something arises unexpectedly that will affect your attendance and/or performance in this class, please contact the instructor. While your instructor is a fairly understanding man, he's a lousy mind reader. To be human means to face unexpected problems, illness and the death of loved ones. That includes all of us and we can generally work through such problems together. The worst thing you can do in such situations is simply disappear.

 

·        Any departure from this syllabus is in the discretion of the instructor.

·        Any class-wide changes in syllabus requirements or scheduling will occur with notice to students.