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HUM 211

I.   TITLE:  The Western Humanities Tradition;  Continuity

II.  CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  An exploration of humanistic themes as reflected in literary and philosophical works prior to the twentieth century.

III.  PURPOSE:  The purpose of HUM 211 is to explore specific human themes using a representative sampling of literary and philosophical works in the western tradition.  HUM 211 cultivates the following Characteristics of an MSU Graduate:

#1:  Engage in mature, independent thought and express that thought effectively in oral and written communication.  HUM 211 will improve students' ability to read, analyze, and compare literary and philosophical works and to discuss and write about the questions they suggest;

#2:  Understand the critical and scientific methodologies academic disciplines employ to discover knowledge and ascertain its validity.  HUM 211 will help students understand the distinct methodologies of literature
and philosophy;

#3:  Apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions.  Students will learn to analyze and compare literary andphilosophical works;

#4:  Demonstrate a critical understanding of the world's historical, literary, philosophical and artistic traditions.  HUM 211 will introduce students to significant literary and philosophical works and the historical and cultural traditions from which they emerged.  Although there is no formal linking between hum 211 and civ 101, the literature and philosophical readings in HUM 211 are taken from all of the major historical periods.  Instruction in HUM 211 provides a review of those historical elements most significant for the understanding of literature and philosophy.  Students, for example, will review significant historical
and cultural developments when they study the works of Homer and Plato;

#5:  Understand the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues.  HUM 211 will help students develop an understanding of the complexity of ethical issues by requiring them to analyze and compare diverse responses to specific ethical questions.

IV.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of HUM 211, students should be able to:
A.  Identify significant ideas in western thought prior to the twentieth century;
B.  Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse positions expressed in the works read in the course;
C.  Critically analyze a variety of literary and philosophical works;
D.  Communicate their understanding of literature and philosophy in both clearly-written essays and oral presentations.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE:  The course readings are divided into three units: The Ancient World, The Middle Ages and Renaissance, and The Enlightenment and Romantic Period.  Within each unit, each specific work will be related to at least one of the three basic themes stressed in the course:  Self, Other, Community.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
A.  The class is conducted through a number of methodologies, including class discussion, small group discussion, multimedia presentations, and background lectures.  HUM 211 instructors stress the development of oral skills in a number of ways, including encouraging student participation in class and small group discussion.

B.  Students will be required to read substantial literary and philosophical works ranging from The Odyssey of Homer through the poetry of Emily Dickinson.  There will be two examinations during the semester and a final examination.  A substantial percentage of each examination in the course will consist of essays.  Students will write two original 750 word papers on interpretive, analytic, or comparative topics.

C.  A listserve will be available for students who wish to discuss works on the reading list and the themes of the course among themselves and with instructors.  Students also have access to Internet sites appropriate for the study of literature and philosophy.

D.  HUM 211 is an issues-oriented course structured around three themes: the self, the other, and community.  By reading a wide variety of material from different cultures, students will come to understand how historical and cultural forces interact with basic human themes.  Students will be expected to read material outside class and prepare to answer a variety of issues-oriented questions, giving students much of the responsibility for learning.  Instructors expect students to read, understand, and discuss a variety of literary and philosophical works.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:  If an appropriate play, lecture, panel discussion, or exhibit is available, students may be assigned to attend.

VIII.  RESOURCES:  Resources utilized in HUM 211 include books and essays available at the Waterfield library, tutoring available at the learning center, and films shown to students.

IX.  GRADING PROCEDURES:  Students will be graded on their understanding of the works they have read and on their ability to communicate what they have learned.  Essay questions and papers will require the analysis of individual works, comparisons between different viewpoints, and the ability to develop original arguments.  Grades will reflect the quality of the
ideas presented as well as the presentation of the material, i.e., students will be expected to organize their papers clearly and conform to traditional academic standards of grammar and usage.  Thus students will continue to develop the writing skills acquired upon completion of ENG 101/102.

X.  ATTENDANCE POLICY:  Students are expected to attend each class meeting.  Their course grade will be lowered one third of a letter grade for each unexcused absence over 3 (2 in TTh sections; 1 in night classes).  If for any reason students miss one fourth or more of the class meetings, they will not receive a passing grade for the course.

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY:  See attached college and university policies.

XII. TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
Davis, Harrison, et al.,  Western Literature in a World Context, vol. 1
Dickinson, Selected Poetry
HUM  Supplementary Text
Voltaire, Candide
Austen, Pride and Prejudice

XIII.  PREREQUISITES:  ENG 101, ENG 102, CIV 101, CIV 102

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo