Humanities 1 Syllabus

1. Humanities 1 Syllabus • Professor Robert Cannon • Email: cannonrl@lavc.edu • Web: rcannonsite.com • Summer 2014 • Classroom: CC 208 • M-TH 10:40-1:05 • 3 units • Office hours: Before and after class in CC 231

2. The Website • www.rcannonsite.com • User name-lavchum1 • Password-2400westland2400 • Always check the site every night. I may post assignments and announcements at any time.

3. What is this course about? • Course description: An introduction to the general concepts of the Humanities. The course surveys in depth the classical heritage of Greece and Rome. Emphasis is placed upon the awareness of the cultural heritage, values, and perspectives as revealed in the arts. • Mythology, music, history, philosophy, painting, drama, sculpture and architecture are studied and compared in relation to their background, medium, organization, and style.

4. How is this class organized? • The stress is on themes: • I briefly discuss the history of the particular culture we are learning about • Then we learn about their art, literature, music, philosophy etc. (not necessarily in that order) • When we are done with a particular culture we move on to the next one, always bearing in mind the influence of one group upon another • Minoans, Mycenaeans, Greeks, and so on

5. The textbook • Landmarks in Humanities by Gloria Fiero.

6. The Work WRITING You will do several kinds of writing in this class: 1. Lecture notes: these will be your study guides 2. Take exams (two midterms, and one final) 3. Assignments done in class

7. More About The Work ARITHMETIC-what do you have to DO in the course? You must complete the following tasks Midterms: 2 midterms worth 25 points each, maximum Final: 1 final exam worth 100 points maximum. The final may be cumulative Participation: 50 points-in-class assignments and discussions, attendance Exam questions may be short-answer essay, identifications, essays, or multiple choice Grading system: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D-60-69%; The grading is done on a percentage basis, not on a curve. This is not a rigid scale. If, at the end of the semester your grade adds up to almost the next higher letter, then a good attendance record, participation in class discussions, and evidence of improvement over the course of the semester could get you up to that next higher grade. NOTE: The number of tests, assignments, or the grading system is subject to change

8. F.A.Q.’s • TESTS: There will two midterms, and a final. The tests are based on the text, lectures, and any other materials I provide or refer you to. Slides and videos will be shown in class and questions may come from these sources as well. • (Note: If you do not take the final you cannot pass the class.) You MUST take the final on the day it is scheduled. There are no make-up midterms or finals for ANY reason. ATTENDANCE: Attendance counts! I take attendance into account in figuring your final grade. A student who stops coming to class but fails to go through the drop procedure will get a fail at the end of the semester. • CELL PHONES: Turn them off before you come into class! • TAPING; Taping of lectures is not allowed unless you have a disability and have registered with the DSPS office. • COMPUTER USE is acceptable except on exams.

9. More Information • How to study and get a good grade -I sometimes use power points slides and YouTube videos as orientation tools to give you a sense of where we are in the class. I don’t expect you to write down everything contained in the slides and videos. They are visual aids only. • Write down the main points of the lecture. They will supplement and highlight the information in the book. • Combine your lecture notes with the information in the book, add your common sense and critical thinking ability, and you should have no problem getting a good grade in the class. • Come prepared to discuss the reading assignment in class. Classroom participation is an important part of your grade. • ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT. I send around a roll sheet during each class session and I keep track of absences. Attending class is a strong component of your grade.

10. Still More F.A.Q.’s • Reading-I expect you to do the assigned reading before you come to class. ALWAYS BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK TO CLASS. • Group Assignments: Students learn in different ways. Some do well on exams, and others do better working in groups. I try to include group assignments when I can. • Class discussions: I like them. Feel free to respectfully disagree with my lectures or any of the reading. Just be prepared to back up your assertions with facts.

11. Schedule and Readings-Part One • Introduction, pre-history, and Mesopotamia • Egypt • Early Greece-Minoans, Mycenaeans • Poets-Homer-Iliad, Odyssey • Poets-Sappho, others- • Archaic Age/ Rise of Athens • Greek theater • Athens: The Golden Age/Pericles • Philosophers • Artistic Expression • Decline of classical age and rise of Alexander

12. Schedule and Readings Part Two-Rome • Early Rome • Traditions and Values • Roman Republic- • Julius Caesar • Augustus and the Empire • Decline and Fall • Roman Literature • Roman Art and Architecture • NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change

13. Student Learning Objectives • As a result of completing this course students will develop and improve basic communication skills; be acquainted with the historical and cultural development of the classical period; be aware of mankind’s creative background and appreciate his or her creative achievements; understand the inter-relationships which exist between a variety of disciplines within the cultural framework.

14. Important Information • If you require classroom accommodations please with meet with me to discuss arrangements. Also contact the SSD, at (818) 947.2681 or TTD (818) 947.2680. • Plagiarism and Student Conduct: Plagiarism is the use of the words and/or ideas of others without clearly acknowledging their source. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments or tests will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment or test and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action following due process. For further information you may refer to the Standards of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.

15. VIDEOS • During the semester several video documentaries may be shown in class. You may write about any VIDEO for five points maximum EXTRA CREDIT per video for a MAXIMUM of three videos. Each report should be a minimum of one page. They are due by the last day of class. • You are to write: • A summary of each video describing what it is about • An evaluation of how successful the video was in presenting the information to you • Things to look for in evaluating a video: • Does the video “show” (movie footage, location shots, maps, still photos, etc.) or does it “tell” (talking heads, narrator) • What you liked about the video and why • What you didn't’t like about the video and why • The evaluation portion of the video is the most important part of the assignment

16. Videos • Video reports are to be typed and double-spaced • Use New Roman font and note the following: • Size 10 font:: Too small • Size 12 font: Acceptable • Size 14 font: The largest size acceptable • Size 16 font: Too big! • Your reports must be correctly spelled and grammatically correct! I will not accept work that doesn’t meet the above standards.

17. Miscellaneous • I look forward to having a fun and instructive semester with you