Humanities I

In the original sense of the word, the humanities are the educational disciplines that foster `humanitas', i.e. activate all of the faculties of an individual - emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual - and make the individual into a fully-functioning person. More concretely, the humanities are those non-technical, non-vocational subjects that lie at the heart of our Western cultural legacy: literature, history, philosophy, religion, and the arts.

The Humanities courses at UNI constitute an introduction to the Western heritage, i.e. the history of European civilization and its greatest cultural achievements. Specifically, its goals are to provide students with an understanding of the development of Western history from its beginning to the present, an acquaintance with some of the finest examples of the West's creative works, and an initiation into the West's tradition of both personal and collective self-examination.

The instructor hopes to help students appreciate some of the great works of literature, philosophy, and theory written during this period, and to show students the perennial significance of the questions these works address.

Texts:

All students need to bring the books we are reading to class.

You can find helpful links on my web page: http://fp.uni.edu/holland/

(1) Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings, as well as read all assignments. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact another student and to get the assignments and class-notes. You need to make-up missed work before the next class.

(2) There will be three tests during the term and a final exam. There will be no make-up tests unless appropriate documentation of a legitimate reason for missing the test is provided. Legitimate reasons for missing a test are limited to things such as: jury duty, accident, illness. All non-emergency requests for make-up tests must be given to the instructor in writing at least two weeks prior to the test date. Emergency requests for make-up tests must be made (either on the phone or through e-mail) no later than the morning of the test. Relevant documentation of emergency requests must be received by the instructor within five days of the missed test. If these requirements are met, the instructor may consider providing a make-up test.

** Please familiarize yourself with UNI's Academic Ethics Policies. These policies are in the student handbook, and they can be found on-line. Search "academic ethics" on UNI's home page and you will be directed to a number of sites that explain your responsibilities on this matter. UNI's policy not only states that cheating and plagiarism are "unacceptable" but that an instructor may take further disciplinary action against any student who violates academic ethics. In accordance with this policy, students who cheat or plagiarize will receive an automatic grade of "F" for the entire course.

** Students who speak out of turn in a disruptive or rude manner (e.g. while others are speaking) will be asked to leave the class. An administrative procedure must be followed in order to be readmitted.

Tests will cover the history text, vocabulary words, dates, the primary texts, and class lectures. Tests will consist of both multiple choice and essay questions. Most tests will be comprehensive.

Each student will be given the opportunity to do work for extra-credit. The extra-credit work will be worth up to five points. In order to do extra-credit work a student must select a topic which is appropriate to the time period we are covering, research the topic, write a two page (typed) summary and present the topic to the class. Appropriate topics include persons, events, and books, as well as intellectual, scientific, and artistic developments.

Students who would like to do extra-credit work must notify the instructor no later than February 10. At that time they must hand in a 200 word (typed) description of the topic they have selected. The instructor will assign dates for the students to give their reports. Reports should be about 10 minutes long. The two-page summary will be due no later than two weeks before the report. Points will be deducted for handing-in written summaries late.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodation through the Office of Disability Services. The ODS is located at: 213 Student Services Center, and the phone number is: 273-2676.

	Course 680:021		Professor Margaret Holland
	Office Hours:		Office: Baker 146
	TTh 12:45-1:30		Office Phone: 273-5975
	and by appt.		Dept. of Philosophy & Religion.
	Email: margaret.holland@uni.edu		Baker 135
	Download Syllabus		Dept. Phone: 273-6221

Sophocles
			Antigone