HUM 104 MB: Humanities II, Spring 2018, Session II

Instructor: Dr. Mary Wheeling

Office Location: Fulmer Annex Office Suite, #6 (top floor, across from water fountains)
Office Hours: MW 11-12:00 and 1:30-3:30; TR 9:00-11:00
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 II: Roots of the Modern World (HUM 104) explores humankind's cultural and intellectual
roots through an integrated study of the humanities. It traces the secular and scientific thought patterns
of contemporary society by discovering and developing these ideas from the Renaissance through the
twenty-first century. The course develops the philosophical, religious, historical, literary, and aesthetic
themes of the period through selected readings, films, slides, and musical selections.

Prerequisite:
None

Course Materials:
Students will use the textbook (see above) as well as handouts and audio-visual materials presented in
class and accessible from our Campus Web class site.

Learning Objectives/Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
1. Identify the major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and artistic trends of the Western
tradition from the Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400) through the 20th century.

Page 1
 2. Explain and connect the major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and artistic trends of
the Western tradition from the Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400) through the 20th century.

Trace the development of present-day Western political, economic, social, and cultural institutions from
1400 through the 20th century.

Topics Covered:
1. The Italian Renaissance and Early Mannerism
2. The Northern Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation
3. The Counter-Reformation and the Baroque
4. The Age of Reason
5. The Age of Revolution
6. The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie
7. The Modernist World
8. Decades of Change and Postmodernism

Total Contact Hours 42.00

Course Format:
HUM 104 is taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and individual and small-group
learning activities including written assignments and tests. Students complete course requirements
meant to foster fulfillment of the Learning Objectives (see above). Most course content is transmitted
face-to-face and on paper in class, so consistent attendance is crucial. Specific assignment and test
dates are found on the document entitled “Course Schedule.”

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.
Missing more than 2/3 of a class equals an absence.
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.

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

Page 2
Make-Up Tests
As noted above, once missed, Activities and Tests cannot be made up. However, everyone’s lowest
In-Class Activity score will be dropped. If you know in advance you will be absent for a legitimate
reason, you may arrange to do the activity or take the test early.

Course Requirements
Activities:
Students will complete numerous Activities in class, so should be prepared at every class meeting for
graded activities such as group work, discussions, quizzes, reflection papers, etc. Activities missed due
to absence or tardiness cannot be made up. A student’s lowest Activity grade will be dropped. Each
Activity is worth a possible 10-25 points, and the average score (minus the dropped one) counts for
15% of the HUM 104 course grade.
Tests:
Students will take 3 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 104 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 104
course grade. Students who have an A average are not required to take the final.

Grading Policy
Grades for Activities, Tests, and the Final Exam will be weighted as follows:
Activities 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 GBC’s undergraduate grading scale for issuing final letter grades. Select "Grading System" at
http://catalog.gbc.edu/content.php?catoid=11&navoid=523 to see the scale.

Getting Extra Help

You are encouraged to email or see me in person with any questions about the course. I’m 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.

Page 3
At the Hirons Library and Learning Center’s Academic Resource Center (ARC), you can schedule
tutoring, reviews, or proctored tests. For location, hours, or appointment procedures, visit the ARC
website (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/tutoring-support.html). Phone the ARC at
302-225-6229 or email arc@gbc.edu.

Classroom Conduct
The use of technology—including cell phones, tablets, laptops, and earbuds—is prohibited unless
authorized by your instructor.

Classroom Behavior Expectations

We have to work together as a large group this session. Please show respectful behavior toward your
professor and fellow students:
1. Keep your electronic devices on silent and out of sight during class instruction.
2. Arrive on time to class and after break and stay until class is dismissed.
3. Do not talk to others during class unless part of an assigned activity.

Student Code of Conduct

Students are expected to be aware of and comply with the Student Code of Conduct and Rules of
Decorum found in the Student Handbook.

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
professor’s 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 104 and another class defeats the purpose of our
unique learning process and gives you unfair academic advantage.
All lectures and course materials are copyrighted, including student-written notes or summaries that
substantially reflect my lectures or materials. These materials are made available only for personal use
by students, and may not be distributed or reproduced for commercial purposes without my express
written consent. Students ARE able to share notes or materials with a classmate on an individual basis
for personal use. Violation of my copyright may result in course sanctions and violate the Code of
Academic Integrity. Read GBC’s policy on intellectual property here:
https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/library-technology-services/copyright.html

Page 4
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 (HLCC), 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.

Page 5