HUM 103 JA: Humanities I, Fall 2017, Session I

Instructor: Dr. Mary Wheeling

Office Location: Arts & Sciences Suite, #6, Fulmer Center Annex
Office Hours: MW 12:30-2:30, TR 2:00-3:00, F 9:00-12:00, and by appointment
Phone: 302-225-6361
E-mail: wheeling@gbc.edu
Contact Hours: 42
Credits: 3

Textbooks:
Matthews, Platt, and Noble, Experience Humanities, Combined 8th ed., NY: McGraw-Hill,
2014.

Course Description:
Humanities I: Our Cultural Heritage (HUM 103) explores the cultural and intellectual roots of
Western society through an integrated study of the humanities. As defined by the course,
humanities encompasses humankind's search for meaning and expression--the journey to
know and understand the world. Students will explore this definition on the historical,
philosophical, literary, and aesthetic levels. HUM 103 covers intellectual and artistic
movements chronologically, from prehistory through the late Middle Ages. 3 credit hours.

Prerequisite:
None.

Course Materials:
The textbook (see above), as well as handouts, Internet resources, and audio-visual materials
presented in class.

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Learning Objectives/Goals:
Upon completion of Humanities I: Our Cultural Heritage, students will be able to

1. Identify and explain major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and artistic trends
of the Western tradition from prehistory through the late Middle Ages.
2. Situate foundations of present-day political, economic, social, and cultural institutions in
the period from prehistory through the late Middle Ages, particularly in the Greek and
Roman eras.
3. Identify origins and growth of the three major monotheistic, Abrahamic religions,
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Topics Covered:
1. Prehistory and Near Eastern Civilizations
2. Aegean Civilizations
3. Classical Greek Civilization
4. Hellenistic Civilization
5. Classical Rome
6. Judaism and the Rise of Christianity
7. Roman Imperial Civilization and the Triumph of Christianity
8. The Heirs to the Roman Empire: Byzantium and the West in the Early Middle Ages
9. The World of Islam
10. The High Middle Ages
11. The Late Middle Ages

Course Format:
HUM 103 is taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and individual and small-
group learning activities that include writing assignments and tests. Students will complete
course requirements meant to foster fulfillment of the Learning Objectives (see above). Most
course content will be transmitted face-to-face and on paper during class, so consistent
attendance is crucial. Specific assignment and test dates can be found on the document
entitled Course Schedule.

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Course Policies
Attendance
If you know in advance that you must miss classes for reasons such as GBC athletics, a
business trip, a scheduled medical procedure, etc., please notify me in writing well in advance
of the absence. It is your responsibility to submit your work or take your test BEFORE such
absence occurs.
GBC athletes must present the professor with a game schedule, showing what days and times
the students will need to miss. A test or final exam conflicting with a required athletic event
should be arranged to be taken by team members before the absence occurs. I will have
regular make-up test office hours for this purpose.

Late Assignments
Missed assignments and/or tests cannot be made up after the absence, and no late
assignments will be accepted. However, each students lowest assignment grade for the
semester will be dropped before computing his or her final grade.

Make-Up Tests
As noted just above, once missed, assignments and tests cannot be made up. However,
everyones lowest assignment score will be dropped. Also stated above, if you know in
advance you will be absent for a scheduled event, you may arrange to submit the work early or
take the test early.

Course Requirements
Assignments:
Students will complete numerous assignments in class, so should be prepared at every class
meeting for graded activities such as groupwork, discussions, quizzes, reflection papers, etc.
Assignments missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up. As students lowest
assignment grade will be dropped. Each assignment is worth a possible 25 points, and the
average score (minus the dropped one) counts for 15% of the HUM 103 course grade.
Tests:
Students will take 3 essay tests throughout the term. These tests assess student
understanding of and critical thinking about class readings, lectures, handouts, and discussion
content. Tests missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up after the fact, unless
missed due to a true, unforeseen emergency. (See sections above on attendance and make-
up work.) Each test is worth a possible 100 points; the test score average counts for 75% of
the HUM 103 course grade (which is to say, each test counts for 25% of the course grade).
Final Exam:
There will be a cumulative final exam given the last day of class, which counts for 10% of the
HUM 103 course grade. Students who have an A average are not required to take the final.

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Grading Policy
Grades for Assignments and Tests will be weighted as follows:
Assignments will be averaged (with lowest score dropped) to count as 15% of the course
grade.
Three Tests will be averaged to count as 75% of the course grade.
If you have an A average (90 or higher) going into the final exam, you do not have to take
the final exam. If you have an 89 or lower course average, you are required to take the Final
Exam, which will count for 10% of your course grade.
I follow GBCs undergraduate grading scale for issuing final letter grades. Select "Grading
System" at http://catalog.gbc.edu/content.php?catoid=1&navoid=27 to see the scale.

Getting Extra Help

You are encouraged to email or see me in person with any questions about the course. Im
available on a drop-in basis during my office hours (see page 1 of syllabus) or at other times
by appointment. Please email ahead to schedule.
If you have a physical, learning, or other disability that might hinder your access to or
performance in the class, please let me know so we can discuss appropriate accommodations.
At the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in the Hirons Library and Learning Center, you can
schedule tutoring, reviews, or proctored tests. For location, hours, and appointment procedure,
visit the ARC website (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/tutoring-
support.html). Phone the ARC at 302-225-6229.

Classroom Behavior Expectations

We have to work together as a large group this session. Please show respectful behavior
toward your professor and fellow students by
1. Keeping your electronic devices and headphones silent and out of sight during class.
2. Arriving on time to class and after break and staying until class is dismissed.
3. Not talking to others during class unless part of the assigned activity.

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Academic Integrity
All courses taught at Goldey-Beacom College are governed by the GBC Academic Honor
Code. A full description of the Honor Code and related procedures is available on the web at
Goldey-Beacom College Academic Honor Code (http://go.gbc.edu/honor-code).
Remember that ignorance of the proper use of sources is no excuse for a violation. Any
alleged academic dishonesty in this class will be addressed according to official procedures. It
is the professors prerogative to determine the appropriate penalty for academic offenses.
Penalties for violations of the Honor Code in my class can range from a zero on the work in
question to an F for the entire course.
I require all work submitted to be produced originally for this course. Recycling old
assignments or simultaneously submitting the same work to HUM 103 and another class
defeats the purpose of our unique learning process and gives you unfair academic advantage.

College Policies & Resources

Academic Honor Code

Please familiarize yourself with the Goldey-Beacom College Academic Honor Code
(http://go.gbc.edu/honor-code). All courses are governed by this policy.

Accessibility at GBC
The Financial Aid/Advisement Office serves as the first point of contact for students to discuss
consideration for reasonable accommodations and as the location to provide documentation
for requested accommodations, as required. Please visit the Financial Aid/Advisement Office
on campus for more information.

Hirons Library & Learning Center

The Hirons Library and Learning Center (HLLC), located in the Jones Center, contains a
variety resources to support your research throughout your time at Goldey-Beacom College.
Search for information to help you complete your next class assignment using our
robust discover tool (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/library-
technology-services/), which includes over half a million full-text journal articles, eBooks,
print books, and government documents. We also have individual databases
(http://gbc.libguides.com/az.php) like Mergent Online and RIA Checkpoint that support
specific majors such as accounting.
Within the HLLC, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) is available to assist you with
your tutoring needs. Visit the ARC website (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-
resources/tutoring-support.html) to learn more about the services the ARC provides.
Computers, printers, and a scanner are available for you to use to complete
assignments as well. Visit the Library and Technology Services website
(https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/library-technology-services/) for
details regarding computing options and hours of operation within the HLLC.

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