Humanities 1 SyllabusProfessor Robert CannonEmail: Cannonrl@lavc.edu Web: robertleecannon.com

Spring 2013Classroom: CC 214MW 8:00-9:253 units

Office hours: Mondays 9:30-10:00 CC 237-no appointment necessary-just drop in!

The Website

www.robertleecannon.com

User name-lavc

Password-humanities

Always check the site on Thursday night. I post assignments and announcements then.

What is this course about?

Course description: An introduction to the general concepts of the Humanities. The course surveys in depth the classical heritage of Greece and Rome. Emphasis is placed upon the awareness of the cultural heritage, values, and perspectives as revealed in the arts.

Mythology, music, history, philosophy, painting, drama, sculpture and architecture are studied and compared in relation to their background, medium, organization, and style.

How is this class organized?

The stress is on themes: I briefly discuss the history of the particular culture we are learning aboutThen we learn about their art, literature,music, philosophy etc. (not necessarily in that order)When we are done with a particular culture we move on to the next one, always bearing in mind the influence of one group upon another

Minoans, Mycenaeans, Greeks, and so on

The Work:

READING:

The Humanities in Western Culture-Lamm

The Iliad-Homer. You may purchase the book (the translation by Fagles is very good) or read it online at http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/iliad.1.i.html

Lucian: Toxaris: http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl305.htm

Cicero: Laelius: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/cicero-laelius-melmoth.asp

The Oresteia:http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/aeschylus/aeschylus_agamemnon.htmhttp://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/aeschylus/libationbearers.htmhttp://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/aeschylus/aeschylus_eumenides.htm

More About The Work

WRITING

You will do several kinds of writing in this class:

1. Lecture notes: these will be your study guides

2. Take exams (two quizzes, two midterms, and one final)

3. Assignments done in class

More About The WorkARITHMETIC-what do you have to DO in the course? You

must complete the following tasks

Quizzes: 2 quizzes, each one to cover an essay about friendship in the

Greek and Roman worlds. Each quiz is worth 15 points maximum

Midterms: 2 midterms worth 25 points each, maximum

Final: 1 final exam worth 100 points maximum

Participation: 50 points-in-class assignments and discussions, attendance

Exam questions will be short-answer essay, identifications, or essays

Grading system: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D-60-69%; The grading is done on a percentage basis, not on a curve.

This is not a rigid scale. If, at the end of the semester your grade adds up to almost the next higher letter, then a good attendance record, participation in class discussions, and evidence of improvement over the course of the semester could get you up to that next higher grade.

NOTE: The number of tests, assignments, or the grading system is subject to change

F.A.Q.’s

TESTS: There will be a quizzes, midterms, and a final. The tests are based on the text, lectures, and any other materials I provide or refer you to. Slides and videos will be shown in class and questions may come from these sources as well.(Note: If you do not take the final you cannot pass the class.) You MUST take the final on the day it is scheduled. There are no make-up midterms or finals for ANY reason.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance counts! I take attendance into account in figuring your final grade. A student who stops coming to class but fails to go through the drop procedure will get a fail at the end of the semester. Any more than three unexecused absences may result in your being dropped from class.

CELL PHONES: Turn them off before you come into class!

TAPING; Taping of lectures is not allowed unless you have a disability and have registered with the DSPS office. COMPUTER USE is acceptable except on exams.

More F.A.Q.’s

How to study and get a good grade -I sometimes use power points slides as an orientation tool to give you a sense of where we are in the class. I don’t expect you to write down everything contained in the slides. They are visual aids only.

Write down the main points of the lecture. They will supplement and highlight the information in the book.

Combine your lecture notes with the information in the book, add your common sense and critical thinking ability, and you should have no problem getting a good grade in the class.

Come prepared to discuss the reading assignment in class. Classroom participation is an important part of your grade.

More F.A.Q.’s

Reading-I expect you to do the assigned reading before you come to class. ALWAYS BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK TO CLASS.

Group Assignments: Students learn in different ways. Some do well on exams, and others do better working in groups. I try to include group assignments when I can.

Class discussions: I like them. Feel free to respectfully disagree with my lectures or any of the reading. Just be prepared to back up your assertions with facts.

Schedule and Readings-Part One

Introduction, pre-history, and MesopotamiaEgyptEarly Greece-Minoans, MycenaeansPoets-Homer-Iliad, OdysseyPoets-Sappho, others-Archaic Age/ Rise of AthensGreek theaterAthens: The Golden Age/PericlesPhilosophersArtistic ExpressionDecline of classical age and rise of Alexander

Schedule and Readings Part Two-Rome

Early Rome

Traditions and Values

Roman Republic-

Julius Caesar

Augustus and the Empire

Decline and Fall

Roman Literature

Roman Art and Architecture

NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change

Student Learning Objectives

As a result of completing this course students will develop and improve basic communication skills; be acquainted with the historical and cultural development of the classical period; be aware of mankind’s creative background and appreciate his or her creative achievements; understand the inter-relationships which exist between a variety of disciplines within the cultural framework.

Important Information

If you require classroom accommodations please with meet with me to discuss arrangements. Also contact the SSD which is located in the Campus Center, Room 100, or call SSD at (818) 947.2681 or TTD (818) 947.2680.Plagiarism and Student Conduct: Plagiarism is the use of the words and/or ideas of others without clearly acknowledging their source. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments or tests will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment or test and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action following due process. For further information youn may refer to the Standards of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.

More Important Information

The quality of your writing is important. Every student is required to visit the writing center on campus and get help with their writing skills. It is part of the student participation portion of your grade. You need to bring me proof that you visited the writing center at least once during the semester. I severely grade down badly written essay answers on the exam.

VIDEOS

During the semester several video documentaries may be shown in class. You may write about any VIDEO for five points maximum EXTRA CREDIT per video for a MAXIMUM of three videos. Each report should be a minimum of one page. They are due by the last day of class. You are to write:

A summary of each video describing what it is aboutAn evaluation of how successful the video was in presenting the information to youThings to look for in evaluating a video:

Does the video “show” (movie footage, location shots, maps, still photos, etc.) or does it “tell” (talking heads, narrator)What you liked about the video and whyWhat you didn’t like about the video and whyThe evaluation portion of the video is the most important part of the assignment

Videos

Video reports are to be typed and double-spaced

Use New Roman font and note the following:Size 10 font:: Too small

Size 12 font: Acceptable

Size 14 font: The largest size acceptable

Size 16 font: Too big!

Your reports must be correctly spelled and grammatically correct! I will not accept work that doesn’t meet the above standards.

Miscellaneous

I look forward to having a fun and instructive semester with you