A survey of some of the fields that make up areas of human understanding that we call the humanities. These areas may include art, music, drama, philosophy, religion, literature and critical thinking as well as justice, wealth and power, religion, and ecology. All areas are selected to provide important insights into our understanding of humanism.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 3)
Total Weeks: 15
Prerequisites:
None
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Course Content:
This course is designed for first year college students. It considers selected fields that make up the areas of human understanding that we call the humanities. These include the arts, government, justice, wealth and power, religion, and ecology. All areas are selected to provide important insights into our understanding of humanism.
- Politics and Justice:
Lao-Tzu, Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Qualities of the Prince
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Origin of Civil Society
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions
- Wealth and Poverty:
Adam Smith, Of the Natural Progress of Opulence
Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto
Robert B. Reich, Why the Rich Are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer
- Faith, Religion, and Ecology :
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Ethic of Compassion
The Bible, from St. Matthew
Friedrich Nietzsche, Morality as Anti-Nature
David Kinsley, Background to the Contemporary Discussion of Ecology and Religion
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of HUMA 101, students will be able to do the following:
- Develop critical thinking skills as they apply to the humanities
- Develop an awareness of the broad range that the humanities cover
- Form critical arguments about select works in the humanities
- Contrast authors' philosophies on select topics
- Participate in online discussion forums
- Write formal essays on assigned topics
- Demonstrate their work and understanding at a "coffee house" to be held at the college
Knowledge:
Determine what their philosophy of life is and why they believe in that philosophy
Attitudes:
Hold an open mind to others opinion and be able to think critically about what they learn
Skills:
Express that philosophy orally, through different art forms and in writing to others
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D (50%)
Percentage of Individual Work: 90
Percentage of Group Work: 10
Additional Course Comments:
It is expected that the students will attend every class, do all course work and actively participate in all class discussions
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.