ARTS & IDEAS Humanities 222, Section 01 Spring 2012

MWF 9:00 – 9:50

Course instructor: Jeanne Lawrence

Office hours: Office hours: Mon. 10-10:50 & 12-12:50; Wed. 12-12:50; Fri. 12-12:50

Office: Trinity 213 Phone: 898-4760

Email: jlawrence@csuchico.edu

Course description and objectives: This course provides an introduction to Western thought and culture from the Renaissance to the

twentieth century. Through readings, slide presentations, films, and discussions, we will explore the ideas

and creative expressions of writers, artists, architects and philosophers in their social, cultural and historical

contexts. Themes to be explored include the impact of social and historical change on creative expression;

the ways in which changes in ideas, attitudes, and understandings of one’s culture are revealed in creative

expression; the role of the creative individual in society; gender roles and their depiction in art and literature;

and changing conceptions of what is considered appropriate subject matter for art and literature at a given

point in time. Students will 1) develop and hone their ability to visually identify works of art in the context of

their historical periods and styles; 2) enhance their skills in written communication through writing

assignments linked to course content; 3) demonstrate enhanced factual knowledge of art, literature and

culture; and 4) consider ways of linking course material to the elementary and middle-school curriculum.

This course fulfills the Humanities requirement for the Major Core portion of the Liberal Studies Bachelor of

Arts degree, and is designed to help students prepare for the “Visual and Performing Arts” and “Reading,

Language and Literature” sections of the C-SET examination.

Required Texts: Benton and DiYanni, eds., Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities, vol. 2, 3rd edition.

William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1599-1601)

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)

Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast (1964)

Course requirements: Final course grade determined as follows: Exam #1 (Monday, February 27) 20% 100 points

Exam #2 (Monday, April 9) 20% 100 points

Exam #3 (Monday, May 14, 10 a.m.) 20% 100 points

Quizzes (top five of 7) 20% 100 points

Writing: Two papers & 10 short writing assignments

(mostly in-class; a few as homework) 20% 100 points

(Each paper is worth 40 points; the 10 assignments

are worth 20 points total)

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Total possible points: 500

(“A” range = 450-500 points; “B” range = 400-449; “C” range = 350-399; “D” range = 300-349)

Note: Throughout the course, grades will be assigned according to their definitions under "Academic

Policies" in the University Catalog (A = superior work, B = very good work, C = adequate work, D =

minimally acceptable work, F = unacceptable work).

Papers: You will be given three paper options; you may choose two of those options, or write all three

essays -- if you write three, your top two grades will count toward your final course grade. Papers should be

typed and double-spaced, with due attention paid to grammar and spelling. Poorly written papers will be

marked down; papers which do not properly identify sources will be marked down.

There will also be a number of short in-class writing assignments (“quick writes”) based on the

assigned reading, throughout the course of the semester; be prepared to write about, and discuss, each day’s

reading assignment. These in-class assignments serve to gauge your class attendance and participation, as

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well as your engagement with, and understanding of, course readings and other materials. They are graded

on the following basis, and constitute 20% of the writing grade for this course:

? = insufficient knowledge / understanding of course material / reading assignment (1.2 points)

check mark = sufficient knowledge / understanding of course material / reading assignment (1.5)

check mark+ = very good knowledge / understanding / interpretation (1.8 points)

check mark++ = excellent knowledge / understanding / interpretation (2 points)

Quizzes: There will be seven quizzes given, but your lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.

Two quizzes will be given before Mid-term #1, three quizzes will be given between Mid-term #1 and

Mid-term #2, and two quizzes will be given between Mid-term #2 and the Final Exam. Missed quizzes

cannot be made up. Note: quiz dates are indicated on the course outline below. Question formats will

vary, but may consist of multiple choice, fill in the blanks, matching, short answer, and identifications (see

below). Quiz questions will be based on course readings, lectures, and films.

Examinations: Each exam will consist of slide identifications (see below), and multiple choice questions.

Questions will be derived from course readings, lectures, and films.

Term identifications and slide identifications ("i.d.'s") are an important component of the mid-term and

final exams, and may also be given on quizzes. These are short, factual paragraphs describing significant

artists, writers, paintings, buildings, events, and artistic movements. To write a complete term identification,

always include who or what, when, where, and why significant. Slide Identifications should include the

name and nationality of the artist/architect, the date, title, and period or style of the work, and a short

explanation of the importance or significance of the piece (for example, is its subject matter a departure

from what was traditional at the time? does it depict space or human emotion in a new way? Does it utilize

or introduce new artistic or architectural techniques or materials? Did it influence the work of others -- if so,

who? What can we infer about societal values and ideas from this work?). Hint: On a test, students often

forget to write the obvious -- for example, that Picasso was a painter/sculptor, or that Jane Austen was a

novelist -- and you will lose points for such omissions.

Examples of Term Identifications:

World War I–global conflict fought mainly in Western Europe, 1914-1918, with the Central

Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) fighting the Allies (Britain, France, Russia and, later, the U.S.).

Began with assassination of Austro-Hungarian Arch-Duke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1914; ended in

1918 with German surrender. Death toll around 10 million. Forever changed participant cultures attitudes

towards life, death, faith in God, belief in humanity and progress. Dada, Surrealism, and modernist writing

emerged in part as ways of dealing with this frightening new world order.

Jane Austen -- English author who lived 1775-1817, and created such classic novels as Pride

and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion.

Pablo Picasso -- 20th century Spanish painter and sculptor who experimented with many

different artistic styles (for example, Cubism) and, through works such as Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, greatly

influenced other artists.

Example of a Slide Identification:

Vermeer, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher (1664-65), Baroque era. Vermeer was a

Dutch painter concerned with light and its effects; as in this painting, he uses light to assure the viewer that

every detail has been scientifically observed and recorded.

POLICIES:

Students absent on the first day of class and students who miss three classes during the first two

weeks of the semester may be dropped in order to make way for others trying to add the course.

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Missing an examination is excused only by a medical problem documented by a doctor's note,

unless cleared by the instructor in advance.

MISSED QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP unless an arrangement has been made beforehand

and there is a serious and compelling reason.

In order to receive credit for a quiz, you must stay until the end of class on the day the quiz is

given (those who exit the classroom early after taking a quiz will receive no credit for that quiz). Before

working out your final course grades, I will drop your two lowest quiz grades.

Plagiarism and cheating: Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own,

whether that be the work of a fellow student or work published on line or in a journal or book. Plagiarism

and cheating are grave violations of the academic integrity policy of the California State University,

Chico. This policy (EM 04-36) is on page 51 of the University Catalog, and is posted at

http://www.csuchico.edu/pre/EMs/EM04_36.htm. The policy of the Humanities Program is that anyone

found to have cheated or plagiarized on an assignment or exam will automatically fail the course and be

referred to student judicial affairs for further disciplinary action.

Classroom courtesy: chatting with classmates during class lectures, exams, quizzes, writing

assignments or films is distracting to other students and to the instructor, and is therefore considered

unacceptable behavior. The classroom is a public forum; private conversations belong outside, not

in the classroom. Leaving and returning during class is distracting to everyone: please avoid it.

The instructor reserves the right to subtract points from your course point total for instances of

distracting behavior.

Technology: No computers or text devices may be used during class. Cell phones must be

turned off during class. No listening to music during class, or while taking quizzes and exams. The

instructor reserves the right to subtract points from your course point total for every violation of

these policies Students with disabilities: If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable

accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic

accommodations. DSS is located in the new Student Services building. The DSS phone number is 898-5959

V/TTY or FAX 898-4411. Visit the DSS website at http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/.

HUM 222 COURSE SCHEDULE & READING ASSIGNMENTS (subject to change)

WEEK 1 (January23, 25, 27) Mon. Introduction.

Thinking about the Arts; Early Renaissance Florence Reading: Wed. A&C, “Introduction,” pp. xxi-xxx; Chapter 13, pp. 3-13.

Fri. A&C, Chapter 13, pp. 13-17.

WEEK 2 (January 30, February 1, 3)

Artists and Writers of the High Renaissance Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 13, pp. 21-37.

Wed. Castiglione, from The Book of the Courtier, pp. 48-52;

Fri. A&C, Machiavelli, from The Prince, pp. 52-55. QUIZ

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WEEK 3 (February 6, 8, 10)

The Northern Renaissance; The Reformation; Shakespearean Drama

Assignment Due Monday: Google Art Project review (worth two quick-writes) due in class; must also be

turned in via Turnitin (on Vista page for this course).

Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 14, pp. 60-84.

Wed. “Hamlet,” Act I

Fri. “Hamlet,” Act II.

WEEK 4 (February 13, 15, 17)

Shakespeare continued

Reading: Mon. “Hamlet,” Acts III and IV

Wed. “Hamlet,” Act V.

Fri. A&C, Chapter 15, pp. 101-110. QUIZ

WEEK 5 (February 20, 22, 24)

Art and Music of the Baroque Age

Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 15, pp.112 -117.

Wed. A&C chapter 15, pp. 110-112; 128-131

Paper Due Fri. Paper #1 due: submit electronically to Turnitin & bring hard copy to class

Review for Exam

WEEK 6 (February 27, 29, March 2)

EXAM Mon. Exam #1

The 18th Century: Revolution and Independence; Neoclassicism; Classical Music

Reading: Wed. A&C, Chapter 16, pp. 161-168; Benjamin Franklin, from the Autobiography, pp.

206-207; Thomas Jefferson, “Declaration of Independence,” pp. 199-200;

Fri. A&C, Chapter 16, pp. 168-188.

WEEK 7 (March 5, 7, 9)

The Early 19th Century: Romanticism

Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 17, pp. 209-219.

Wed. A&C, Chapter 17, pp. 219-229 . QUIZ

Fri. A&C, Rousseau, from Confessions, p. 246; Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely as a

Cloud,” p. 251; Whitman, from “Song of Myself,” pp. 253-255;

Dickinson, poems, pp. 255-256.

WEEK 8 (March 12, 14, 16)

Romantic Text: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Reading: Mon. Frankenstein, Letters I - IV and Chapters 1-VII (volume I in some editions).

Wed. Frankenstein, Chapters VIII – XVII (volume II in some editions).

Fri. Frankenstein Chapters XVIII – XXIV (volume III in some editions). QUIZ

<<<<<<< SPRING BREAK: MARCH 19 – 23 >>>>>>>

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WEEK 9 (March 26, 28, 30)

Nineteenth-Century Realism: Representations of Modern Life

Paper Due Mon. Paper #2 due: submit electronically to Turnitin & bring hard copy to class

Reading: Wed. A&C, Chapter 17, pp. 230-243.

Fri. Excerpt from Emile Zola, The Ladies’ Paradise (1883). QUIZ

WEEK 10 (April 2, 4, 6)

The Late Nineteenth-Century: The “Grand Tour”; Impressionism

Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 18, pp. 261-269

Wed. A&C, Chapter 18, pp. 261-269

Fri. Review for exam

WEEK 11 (April 9, 11, 13)

Exam: Mon. EXAMINATION #2 Post-Impressionism; Art Nouveau and The Arts & Crafts Movement

Reading: Wed. A&C, Chapter 18, pp. 269-276.

Fri. A&C, Chapter 18, pp. 276-280.

WEEK 12 (April 16, 18, 20)

Modernism in Art; World War I & After Reading: Mon. A&C, Chapter 21, pp. 337-350.

Wed. A&C, Chapter 21, pp. 354-358

Fri. Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast, pp. 1-45. QUIZ

WEEK 13 (April 23, 25, 27) The 1920s: Americans in Europe

Reading: Mon. Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast, pp. 49-96.

Wed. Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast, pp. 99-146.

Fri. Ernest Hemingway’s A Movable Feast, pp. 147-211.

WEEK 14 (April 30, May 2, 4)

Hollywood and the Film Industry; The Great Depression of the 1930s

Paper Due: Mon. Paper #3 due: submit electronically to Turnitin and bring hard copy to class

Reading: Wed. A&C, p. 359 and p. 441.

Fri. A&C, Chapter 21, pp. 360-372. QUIZ

WEEK 15 (May 7, 9, 11)

The Mid-Twentieth Century: Abstract Expressionism

Reading: Mon. A&C chapter 23, pp. 419-428.

Wed. Eugene Ionesco,“The Gap,” in A&C, pp. 448-451.

Fri. Catch up & review for exam.

EXAMINATION #3: Monday, May 14, 10 a.m.