HUMA 1315 Syllabus - Lamar State College-Orange

LAMAR STATE COLLEGE-ORANGE
Humanities Department
Liberal Arts Division
Fall 2012
Syllabus for HUMA 1315
Instructor: Dr. Shelley Thrasher
E-Mail Address: Shelley.Thrasher@lsco.edu
Online Office Hours: Monday night 9:00-10:00
Course:
You will be able to communicate with me only online because I live far away. It’s
best to use my Desire2Learn address.
Course Description:
Catalog: A study of the visual arts, musical arts, and theatrical arts. Provides a
medium of learning that broadens the cultural horizons, engenders respect for people’s
creative potential, and encourages emotional maturity through awareness and
understanding of people’s aesthetic responses. An interdisciplinary, multi-perspective
assessment of cultural, political, philosophical, and aesthetic factors critical to the
formulation of values and the historical development of the individual and of society.
General: Understanding the Arts, a three-hour-credit Internet course, surveys six
art forms basic to the humanities: photography, film, music, painting, sculpture, and
architecture. The course requires you to read assignments weekly both online and in a
textbook, view video clips and listen to audio clips, discuss related topics each week, take
weekly quizzes, and write six essays during the semester. You may take this course as
your humanities or fine-arts elective.
Credit Transfer:
You must check in advance with the particular college to which you plan to
transfer credit. State rules require that this course be transferable to any state institution.
Prerequisites:
You need to be able to read and write on a college level to succeed in this course.
Desire2Learn Access:
To access Desire2Learn you will not need to use a different user name and
password than those you use to access MyLSCO. The steps to enter the LSCO
Desire2Learn site are as follow:
1. Go to http://www.lsco.edu
2. From Quick Links, select and click on the Desire2Learn link

3. At this site, enter your username (your myLSCO username) and password (your
date of birth in six digits, such as 120989).
4. You should now be at your Homepage, where you can access HUMA 1315.80.
OR
1. Go to http://lsco.desire2learn.com/
2. Log in with your username and password, as described above.
3. Access HUMA 1315.80
OR
1. Log in to myLSCO
2. Click the STUDENT tab
3. Click MyCourses
4. Scroll down to the Fall 2011 Semester
5. Click HUMA 1315.80
Computer Problems:
If you have any computer problems and cannot complete your assignment or log
on to Desire2Learn, you must contact me immediately by emailing me at
shelley.thrasher@lsco.edu. We will make arrangements for you to complete your
assignment. BE SURE NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO TRY TO
SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT AND ARRANGE WITH A FRIEND OR FAMILY
MEMBER FOR A BACKUP COMPUTER IN CASE YOURS FAILS.
To learn how to upload and download files, be sure to look at the Desire2Learn
Tutorials located in the left corner of your Desire2Learn homepage. For technical
concerns contact the Help Desk in Room 101 of the Academic Center. You may also call
the Help Desk at 409-882-3968 or e-mail desire2learn@lsco.edu. The Help Desk is open
from 7:30 till 5:00 Monday through Friday.
Required Textbook and Other Means of Communication:
The Arts: World Themes, by Geraldine Nagle. New York: Brown and
Benchmark, 1997.
Three video and audio CDs, available at the beginning of the semester. (If you
have access to high-speed Internet, you may not need these CDs.)
Access to a computer using a recent version of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox,
or Safari; Java enabled, with word processing software (Word or WordPad), and virusprotection
software. (Internet Explorer seems to work best for viewing the online video
and audio clips provided in this course.)
Supplemental Materials:
The Lamar-Orange Library has a plentiful supply of books, CDs, and DVDs to
help you with the assigned projects. If you need additional resources, please ask the
librarian to help you order appropriate material through our interlibrary loan services.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and
humanities.

Activity: You will read, watch, listen, and otherwise be exposed to a wide
variety of works of art in this course, from ancient cave paintings to
contemporary electronic music.
2. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values
within an historical and social context.
Activity: Each of the six sections in this course begins with a historical
overview of the art forms we are studying. You will be exposed to the arts of
Asian and African cultures, as well as those prevalent in Europe and America.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the influence of the arts on intercultural
experiences.
Activity: In our weekly online discussions we will tackle questions that ask
you to examine the effect of the arts on your dealings with people of other
cultures. Some of the required reading material should also encourage you to
begin to understand in what varied ways the people of diverse cultures express
their values and perspectives on life through the arts.
4. Develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the
humanities and arts.
Activity: In the second part of each unit of study, you will be exposed to the
technical aspects of the art form studied, such as film editing and the basic
building structures that architects use.
5. Comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or
visual or performing artist.
Activity: The third area of study in each unit focuses on the individual artist
and the dedication, talent, and hard work required to successfully create an
enduring work of art. The photography assignment, which requires you to take
and analyze a photograph that has the elements required for a great shot,
should give an idea of just how difficult it is to create a true work of art.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking skills as evidenced by the ability to analyze
facts, synthesize factual information, and evaluate opinions in light of the
facts presented throughout this course.
Activity: In five of the six written assignments in this course, you will be
required to synthetize information about a given work of art and its creator,
analyze its outstanding features, and evaluate it according to guidelines that
you will be exposed to during each unit of study. These essays are the basis
for the bulk of your semester grade.
7. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Activity: Not only will you have an opportunity to express your personal
reactions to given works during our weekly online discussions, but you are
encouraged to do so in the evaluation section of each written essay.
8. Demonstrate a high level of personal self-discipline and motivation.
Activity: By completing your weekly quiz and participating in each weekly
discussion thoughtfully and on time, you will exhibit self-discipline and
motivation. By beginning each required essay well ahead of its due date,
pondering it in connection with the information provided in the material to
which you have been exposed, researching and planning your content
carefully, and writing it clearly and correctly, you will also exhibit self-

discipline and motivation, as well as allow yourself the possibility of
producing creative and worthwhile essays.
Course Outline:
1. Introduction, Photography, and Film
2. Music and Painting
3. Sculpture and Architecture
In addition to the general information about Desire2Learn on YouTube, be sure to
watch the two videos there in which I explain the basics of this course.
In this course you will read weekly assignments online and in your text, access
various audiovisual clips on your CDs or online, participate in a weekly online
discussion, and take a weekly quiz. The bulk of your grade will be based on weekly
quizzes and six written projects, one for each art form studied.
The accompanying reading, discussion, quiz, and project assignments are listed in
the course schedule at the end of this syllabus and in the detailed online schedule in the
Content Module.
Critical Thinking:
Critical thinking is a process involving higher-order thinking skills. These skills
include, but are not limited to, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of factual
information. Lamar State College-Orange Advances Critical Thinking Skills (LSC-O
ACTS) through assignments of varying natures within the course that are designed to
challenge and improve your critical-thinking processes.
In this course, you will be asked to complete six projects designed to help you
develop your skills as a critical thinker. Each project will focus on three major elements
of critical thinking: description, analysis, and evaluation. You will be provided detailed
instructions and examples for each assignment. The weekly quizzes and discussions
encourage you not only to read and understand the assigned reading, etc. in this course,
but also to think about the information and art forms to which you have been introduced.
We will concentrate on the skill of analysis, which your post-test will focus on.
A well cultivated critical thinker 1 :
· Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
· Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it
effectively;
· Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant
criteria and standards;
· Thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and
assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical
consequences; and
· Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex
problems.

1 Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2005). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking
Concepts & Tools. Dillon Beach: The Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Evaluation Methods:
Twelve quizzes, over your weekly reading assignments, will count 300 points
of your final grade in this course. Each quiz, which is worth 30 points, will consist of
multiple-choice and true/false questions. You will have two chances to take each quiz
and may drop your two lowest quiz grades during the semester.
You will also be required to take a brief comprehensive post-test, worth 30
points, which is designed to provide information about how well you have mastered the
skill of analysis in this course. You must respond to these 30 questions in order to pass
this course.
Of the twelve weekly discussions that you participate in, worth 8 points each, I
will count your ten highest grades, for a possible total of 80 points. Each discussion will
focus on a topic related to what you are studying that week.
Six projects, one for each art form studied, will determine 600 points of your
final grade in this course. Five of the projects will be entirely written, and one of them
will require you to take and edit a photograph. Each project counts 100 points.
You will be able to earn 4 bonus points at the beginning of the semester, by
completing a brief assignment and two quizzes, and 10 points at the end, by writing a
bonus essay. Try to take advantage of these opportunities to improve your grade.
1000 - 900 = A, 899 - 800 = B, 799 - 700 = C, 699 - 600 = D, Below 60 = F
Policy on a Grade Incomplete:
The grade of “I” may be given when you do not complete any requirement of the
course, including the final examination, and arrange with me to complete these
requirements. You must finish incomplete work during the next long semester; if not, the
Admissions and Records Office must change an “I” grade to the grade of “F.” You must
then repeat the course, if you want credit for it. An “I” grade also automatically becomes
an “F” if you register for the course before removing the deficiencies and receiving a
grade change. I may give you an “F” if you don’t take the post-test and/or are not passing
the course.
Procedure for Review of Test Grades:
If you have an issue about your grade on any of your discussions, quizzes, or
essays or on your semester’s work, you must contact me no later than three (3) days after
receiving the grade.
Make-up Policy and Deadlines:
Your twelve quizzes and discussions are usually due each Monday right
before midnight, at the latest, although three of the due dates are on a Wednesday.
After the due date, you may not take the quiz or submit a discussion and will receive
a zero for that missed quiz or discussion.

Three of your six projects are also due on a Monday near midnight, and the
other three are due late on a Friday. Check your course schedule carefully, for I will
not accept any late projects.
Classroom Policies and Etiquette:
In the library, Learning Resource Center, and online, you should behave in ways
that do not offend others. Be polite, be considerate, and be tolerant of others’ views,
please.
Attendance:
You need to watch the two YouTube videos that I have filmed, available online,
to help you get an idea of what this course will be like. And if this is your first online
course, you need to watch the general YouTube videos. You also should read your
assignments, participate in the discussions, submit your six required assignments, and
take your required quiz each week, as well as the post-test. Be aware that I am able to
track how much time you spend reading the online lectures.
Withdrawals and Drops:
Last day to drop or withdraw with a Q or a W: September 26, 2011.
Last day to drop or withdraw from the spring semester: October 31, 2011.
In order to drop or withdraw from this course, you need to go to the advising
office (Room 355, LSCO Library) or the registrar’s office (Room 341, LSCO Library).
They will give you the proper form, which you must fill out.
If you do not complete the first assignments, I will not automatically drop
you from the course. You remain registered until you file a drop/withdrawal form at the
registrar’s office by the appropriate deadlines. If you miss the deadlines you will receive
an "F" for the course. It is your responsibility to turn in all drop/withdrawal forms
and follow up to ensure that they were processed as desired.
Academic Honesty:
LSCO will not tolerate cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as “taking
and using as one’s own the writings or ideas of another.”
Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing, or aiding another student in cheating
or plagiarizing on an examination or project, will receive an “F” in the course.
Students subject to penalty due to academic dishonesty have the right to appeal
to the department chair and eventually to the dean and/or academic vice president before
the penalty is imposed.
Student with Disabilities:
If you have a verifiable learning or physical disability that requires course
modification, you must e-mail me regarding the disability.
You must make a request for special accommodations through the ADA
Counselor and submit the appropriate form to me at least two weeks before you need
the course modifications.

Children in the Classroom:
The LSCO Student Handbook specifies that no children under the age of fifteen
be allowed in the classroom or the hallways.
Syllabus Content:
I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus, if they are necessary. I will
provide any changes to you in writing before they are implemented, if possible.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
UNIT 1---INTRODUCTION, FILM, AND PHOTOGRAPHY
WEEK OF SUBJECTS STUDIED QUIZZES PROJECTS
Aug. 22 What is Humanities? 1 (Practice) Orientation Assign
Aug. 29 History of Photography and Film 2
Sept. 6 Photography and Film Techniques 3
Sept. 12 Form and Meaning in Photos and Film 4 Film Critique
Sept. 19 Photo and Film Criticism 5 Photograph
UNIT 2---MUSIC AND PAINTING
WEEK OF SUBJECTS STUDIED QUIZZES PROJECTS
Oct. 3 History, Basic Elements of Music 6
Oct. 10 Music Form, Meaning, Non-Western 7 Music Essay
Oct. 17 History, Basic Elements of Painting 8
Oct. 24 Painting Form, Meaning, Non-Western 9 Painting Essay
UNIT 3---SCULPTURE, ARCHITECTURE, AND EPILOGUE
WEEK OF SUBJECTS STUDIED QUIZZES PROJECTS
Nov. 7 Sculpture History, Types, Techniques 10

Nov. 14 Sculpture—Modern, Around the World 11 Sculpture Essay
Nov. 21 Architectural History and Elements 12
Nov. 28 Architecture---Modern, Around the World 13 Architecture Essay
Epilogue—Time Travel
Bonus Project
Post-Test