HUMANITIES 4H: Honors Arts and Ideas
Ancient Times to Early Renaissance
Dr. Bonnie Pavlis
Fall 2011, Section #38588
Time: Mon & Wed. 12:45-2:10 pm
Room: IT 208
Office: Library 126, Norco College
Phone: (951) 372-7130
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: MW 2:15 – 3:30 pm,
Tu 12:00 – 1:00 and by appointment
“A study of the humanities will not save your country, your soul, or your bank account. It will,
however, give you a whole set of attitudes that support a “better life”…(Cunningham & Reich)
COURSE DESCRIPTION & LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course provides an enriched introduction to the most important cultural movements in
literature, philosophy, art, music and architecture from the origins of human culture through
the late Middle Ages. The amount of time we cover is enormous: about 5000 years! We could
easily spend a whole semester on any one of the many eras or cultures that we will pass over
all too quickly. So the purpose and usefulness of the course is to give you a broad—not a
detailed—background in early Western culture and civilization as a basis for further study and
enjoyment of the humanities. The class will be a mixture of lecture and discussion, with
frequent multimedia presentations (music, videos, Internet and PowerPoint). Questions are
encouraged!
As part of the honors curriculum, this course will focus on a two thematic questions during the
semester: (1) In what ways are the arts and ideas of a particular culture or civilization characteristic of
the mind-set of that time period? (2) What is the legacy of ancient, classical, and medieval civilizations
to the Western world up to the present day?
I am confident that by the time the course has ended, you will have gained an appreciation of
the fascinating variety of artistic forms, philosophy, and value systems that have influenced
modern Western cultures and societies even up to the present. You will definitely complete
the course with a much clearer understanding of the intellectual and cultural heritage of the
Western tradition. You will also gain experience reading, analyzing, discussing, and writing
about complex ideas and texts. Finally, your skills in written communication and critical
analysis will develop substantially through this course.
Specifically, by the end of this class, you should be able to:
Humanities 4H Syllabus 2
 Define terms and describe the characteristics of specific cultural movements and works of
art;
 Recognize at sight significant works of art and architecture from the prehistoric through late
medieval time periods;
 Identify famous artists/works of art, writers and/or literary and philosophical works,
musicians/musical trends and philosophers from these time periods;
 Review online and written sources related to the humanities and use these sources to
conduct research in arts and ideas;
 Write about a work of art, a sculpture, a building, a literary or philosophical work, or a
musical composition with some degree of understanding about how it reflects the
characteristics and intellectual advances of its age;
 Attend concerts, plays, poetry readings, museum exhibits, art gallery showings, or go to
other public places where the literary, visual and performing arts are presented, and then write
with some degree of understanding about your experiences.
PREREQUISITE & WORKLOAD
There is no prerequisite for this course, but this particular section of arts and ideas limits
enrollment to students accepted for the Honors Program at RCCD. All the formal
requirements of the class (tests, essays, readings, and so forth) require very good writing and
reading skills. Eligibility for English 1A would be a distinct advantage—having completed
English 1A would be even better. As you will see, there is a fairly heavy amount of reading
and writing required for this course, as is common in sophomore level survey courses.
PLEASE NOTE: Course requirements for Humanities 4H include the writing of original
analytical and evaluative essays totaling a minimum of 20 pages over the course of the
semester.
As I mentioned above, this is a survey course, and as such, it requires an overall grasp of the
major characteristics of an era or art movement as well as specific memorization/study of
important ideas, persons, and masterpieces in art, philosophy, literature, music and the history
of ideas. Thus, you may find yourself spending more time per week than you anticipated in
keeping up with the workload. Many of you will be inundated with new vocabulary—names
of important people, movements, styles, philosophies, and so forth. You should be prepared
to know and use that vocabulary—as well as the concepts underlying various artistic and
philosophical period—on tests and written papers.
Advice for New College Students: College courses (not just honors courses) assume that the
student will spend two hours outside of class for each hour in class—thus, students should
expect to spend 6 or 7 hours each week reading and preparing for this class. I have organized the
reading and writing requirements of the course so that you should be able to remain within
these boundaries as long as you are willing to commit to hard work.
Humanities 4H Syllabus 3
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Lawrence Cunningham and John Reich. Culture and Values: A Survey of the
Humanities, with Readings. Vol. I. 7th ed. Thomson-Wadsworth Pubs., 2010.

The Norco College Bookstore has the book, and there may also be some copies at Riverside
City College. However, they may not have enough used copies, and they ordered the edition
with the Access Card, which is more expensive and which we will not use. So feel free to
find the text elsewhere. You may also use the cheaper 6th edition – just be sure that you
buy Volume 1 with Readings.
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You may want to purchase the textbook online at Barnes & Noble (ships in 24 hrs) or
Amazon.com (ships in 1-3 weeks). Amazon also has a used textbook site.
The publisher's own site offers the book as well at: Cengage.com/Higher
Education/Wadsworth/Arts & Humanities
Another possible way to get your textbook is to rent it or get an e-book. Rental sites
include: www.cengagebrain.com (e-books are about 60% of the hard copy price) and
www.cafescribe.com
To buy used books at a good price, try these sites too: www.textbookx.com ,
www.half.com , www.bigwords.com , www.abe.com or www.campusbookswap.com – Don’t
forget the shipping expenses!
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NOTE: You need to get your book as soon as possible!
You will also have some Additional Readings in literature and philosophy (available on the Course
Home Page under "Additional Readings").
A List of Musical Tracks (mp3 format) is available on the Course Home Page. Each Track is
referenced in the lectures and in the textbook. Take time to listen to them!
Online Resources: Click on the following link to view the online help (called the "Companion
Site") available to you from the publisher: http://www.wadsworth.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&flag=student&product_isbn_issn=978049556877
3&disciplinenumber=37
 After you get to this site, click on the top left for a drop-down menu of chapter-by-chapter resources,
from timelines to chapter outlines to practice quizzes! Click also on the left-hand bar to access
important information such as "Tips: Becoming a Successful Student," "Flashcards" and a
"Timeline." (Note: This information is designed for the Comprehensive Edition (Vols. 1 & 2)
of the book, but it is still completely useful for your study purposes.)
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The lecture/discussion hours are fast-paced, designed to clarify, supplement and enrich the assigned
course readings. Class hours contain valuable information including handouts, slide and Internet
presentations, musical selections, and videos related to the class material, so it is crucial not only that
you stay current with the assigned readings, but also maintain good attendance. You alone are
Humanities 4H Syllabus 4
responsible for getting notes from a classmate for any class you missed; if you missed the handouts,
they will be available online and you should download and print them.
 Four consecutive unexplained absences will constitute an automatic drop. If you must be absent
for any serious reason, contact me in advance as soon as possible by e-mail or voicemail.
 Six absences of ANY kind (consecutive or not, explained or not) will also constitute an
automatic drop.
 Students who are consistently late or who leave early will find their grade seriously affected
(simply because we cover so much, so quickly!).
 Please note the drop deadline for the current semester in the college Schedule of Classes.
STANDARDS FOR SUBMITTING WRITTEN WORK
 All papers must be typed on standard-sized paper using word processing software. Written
assignments should carefully adhere to the directions given for the assignment.
 General Directions: Papers should be the required length, should be typed, double-spaced,
spell checked, and proofread for typing errors. Leave 1” margins at top, bottom and sides;
center your title (no title page, please); put your name, class name, the date, and the assignment
number in the upper right- or left-hand corner; and staple the paper. Number your pages, cite
your quotations correctly using MLA or APA style; and add a works cited page at the end if
you have consulted or quoted from any sources, including your class texts. NOTE: Lack of
adherence to these basic standards may lower your grade on a paper. [NOTE: An MLA style
sheet is available free in the Writing Center, LIB 113.]
 After the first written assignment, I encourage you to submit your work via the online class
website! You will receive hands-on instruction in class in how to submit online, and there is a
link on the Home Page with instructions on “How to Submit Assignments Online.”
COURSE RULES
 Students who have taken the regular Humanities 4 class in the past have compared it to precalculus for the liberal arts field - in its level of difficulty and required study time. This is
because it is a sophomore level survey course. The quizzes and unit essay exams include a
tremendous amount of material that you are required to absorb on your own. All written
assignments and essays require college-level writing skills using standard English in order to be
successful.
 To get credit for this course, all assignments must be completed and all quizzes taken.
THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE other than bonus points that are awarded
from time to time on the writing assignments for exceptionally well done work, and the bonus
points for turning in Arts Reports early—not enough to make a big difference in your overall
grade. SO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR GRADES FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!
 Written assignments are due in class or on the class website (see below) prior to 3:00 p.m. on
the assigned due date. Late papers will be docked one grade. Assignments more than one
Humanities 4H Syllabus 5
week late will receive a ZERO. Details about the written assignments will be given in a
subsequent handout.
STATEMENT ON CHEATING
 The "Standards of Student Conduct," found in the Riverside Community College Student Handbook and on page 13 of the Honors Student Handbook, will be strictly enforced. All aspects of your course work are covered by this college code. There will be severe grade penalties for acts of plagiarism‐‐for example, copying sentences and paragraphs word‐for‐
word from a web site, cheating of any kind on tests, copying of another student’s work, or other instances of cheating. Honesty in your academic work is the foundation of your professional integrity as an adult learner. Accordingly, the faculty, students, and staff of RCCD will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty. If you are found plagiarizing or cheating in any way on any assignment or test, you will automatically receive an "F" for that assignment. Any further instance of plagiarism will also earn an F, which will probably result in a failing grade for the entire course.  BE SURE YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT PLAGIARISM IS! o NOTE #1: Simply listing your source at the end of the assignment does NOT authorize you to quote whole phrases or sentences from your source. Exact quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks and documented using in‐text parenthetical citations and a Works Cited list; in short, give specific credit for other authors’ ideas. Incorrect or partially missing citations and/or Works Cited list will earn a 5‐10% penalty. Missing citations and/or documentation will earn a ZERO. o NOTE #2: If you use your own words but still take the facts or ideas from any source at all, you must STILL give credit to the source of your facts by using parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited list. Before you do your first writing assignment, go to the online Home Page for this course and click on the icon entitled "How to Cite Sources Correctly and Avoid Plagiarism" for a quick review of correct paraphrasing, parenthetical documentation, and "Works Cited" form.  Assignments will be spot‐checked on a regular basis and, if any evidence is found of academic dishonesty, the above penalties will apply. For an excellent review of plagiarism – what it is and how to avoid it by documenting correctly – please visit this website and take the quizzes: http://library.csusm.edu/plagiarism/index.html  FINAL NOTE: RCCD instructors have access to an online plagiarism‐checking service called "TurnItIn.com ." If I have any reason at all to suspect that all or part of your written work has been copied directly (cut‐and‐paste) from any electronic or paper source without correct quotation, or that you have summarized facts and ideas without proper parenthetical attribution, I will scan, then run your work through this online plagiarism service.  Consult an appropriate writing handbook for rules on citing sources correctly. [You may use either MLA or APA style. There is an MLA documentation sheet available in the campus Writing Center.] A sample assignment showing correct format and documentation will also be available on the class website. Humanities 4H Syllabus 6
WEB-ENHANCED COURSE INFORMATION
This class is web-enhanced. This means that you will be able to access the following materials
online at any time, day or night, once you log on to the class for the first time through the Open
Campus Blackboard 9.1 website: https://rccdopencampus.blackboard.com/
(userID = your first & last initial and student number; your password = student).
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The course syllabus
Study guides for each chapter and summaries of my lectures
Quizzes for each assigned chapter in the text
Instructions for written assignments (unit essay exams and the Arts Report)
Information on how to avoid plagiarism
A list of links for writers
A list of helpful links to many art resources, museums, and other cultural websites
All the musical selections that will be played in class (mp3 format)
A Deadlines sheet with a list of due dates for each written assignment
Your grade book containing individual grades for all assignments (private to you
alone)
PLEASE NOTE: I will be showing you in class how to go to the web-enhanced course site
so that you can (1) take your chapter quizzes; (2) submit your assignments online to the
class website; (3) check your course grade. I encourage you to use the course website as a
valuable resource. After the first written assignment, I encourage you to submit unit essay
exams online! The Arts Report may be submitted in class or online, but you will have to
provide me with physical or scanned proof of attendance at the museum or event.
EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS
 One short Response Paper (1-2 pages; 25 points) – due the 2nd week of class
 Ten quizzes (multiple choice, true-false, fill-ins, matching) – non-cumulative, one for
each chapter covered in the textbook. (20-30 points each, total: 280 points) These quizzes
will be available online only and can be taken at any time from the beginning of the
unit until we finish that chapter in class. The first quiz may be taken twice but there
must be a two-hour interval between attempts. Your score will be an average of the
two attempts. Subsequent quizzes may be taken only once.
 Four Unit Essay Exams covering (1) Ancient Civilizations and Early Greece; (2)
Classical Greece and Rome; (3) post-Roman world and Early Middle Ages; and (4) High
and Late Middle Ages. These exams require a synthesis of information and ideas
studied in each unit. A choice of topics will be provided; two short essays (2 pages per
essay, 25 points each essay) are required per exam (total: 200 points).
Humanities 4H Syllabus 7
NOTE: There is no midterm or final exam in this course.
 One Arts Report (3-4 pages, 100 points) which involves: (1) going to an art museum, or
(2) attending a live performance. (Details will be provided in a later handout) NOTE:
10 bonus points for submitting your report earlier than the due date!
 A cumulative Listening-Viewing Quiz on the day listed for your final exam – 50 points
 Plan ahead for quizzes and paper submissions! Please be sure you are aware of the
time limits for each assignment (see “Course Schedule” at end of syllabus and
“Deadlines” sheet on the Course Home Page). If a problem occurs, be sure you have
allowed enough time to get it worked out before you miss the due date!
 Additional directions and information about assignments and quizzes will be provided
during the semester. I reserve the right to make changes to the course assignments and
readings as the semester unfolds. Please do not hesitate to phone or e-mail me if you
have questions about the course.
GRADING
Grades will be assigned in points, and the final grade will be computed using your total points divided
by the total possible number of points for all assignments. Grades are NOT curved but assigned on
the basis of a straight percentage, rounded up, as follows:
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A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
89.5 - 100%
79.5 - 89.4%
69.5 - 79.4%
59.5 - 69.4%
59.4% and below
AccommodationsforDisabilities:NorcoCollegeprovidesservicestostudentswith
disabilitiesthroughtheDisabilityResourceCenter(DRC)locatedintheCenterforStudent
SuccessBuilding.Torequestacademicaccommodationsduetoadisability,pleasevisit
theDRCorcontactthestaffat372‐7070
SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS
 Please turn off all beepers, cell phones, and electronic devices while class is in session.
 Please show respect for the instructor when she is lecturing or for a student asking a
question by not interrupting or talking at the same time.
 If you have to arrive late or leave early, please do so quietly, with minimum disruption to
the class.
Humanities 4H Syllabus 8
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week of. . . Topics and Readings August 29
Introduction to Humanities: General Concepts & Terms
Sept. 5
No class Mon.
9/5
Text: Introduction, Begin Chapter 1 through “Ancient
Egypt”
Online Readings: The Purpose of the Humanities, The Epic
of Gilgamesh, Writing and Egyptian Poetry
Minoan & Mycenean Cultures
Text: Introduction, Chapter 1 (complete) and Reading 1
Online Readings: see above
Assignments Due Ancient Mesopotamian Cultures; Egyptian Culture
Sept. 12
Response Paper 1
due Wed. 9/7
Archaic Greek Culture
Text: Chapter 2 and Readings 2-5 (Homer, Sappho, preSocratics)
Sept. 19
Sept. 26
Oct. 3
Oct. 10
Oct. 17
Oct. 24
Online Readings: Our Western Heritage, Oral Epic Poetry,
Selections from Greek Lyric Poetry
Classical Greek Culture
Text: Chapter 3 through “Visual Arts in the 4th Century BC”
with Readings 6-10 (Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle)
Online Readings: Aristotle on Tragedy, Plato and Socrates,
Allegory of the Cave
Classical Greek Culture: the Hellenistic Period
Text: Chapter 3, “The Hellenistic Period” to end of chapter
– no text readings
Online Readings: see previous week
The Etruscans and the Roman Legacy
Text: Chapter 4 through “Rome as the Object of Satire”
with Readings 12, 13, 16 (Catullus, Virgil, Marcus Aurelius)
Online Readings: Timeline of Greece and Rome, Two
Roman Writers
The End of the Roman Empire; Judaism and the Rise of
Christianity
Text: Chapter 4, “End of the Roman Empire” and
Chapter 6 through “The Beginnings of Christianity” with
Readings 21 and 22 (Old & New Testaments)
The Rise of Christianity; the Late Roman Empire
Text: Chapter 6, “Early Christian Art” to end of chapter;
Chapter 7, “The Decline of Rome” and “Boethius” with
Readings 25-26 (Augustine)
Online Readings: Late Latin Writers
Islam and Byzantium
Text: Chapters 7 and 8 with Readings 27, 29
Unit Essay Exam #1
due Wed. 9/28
Unit Essay Exam #2
due Wed. 10/19
Humanities 4H Syllabus Oct. 31
The Early Middle Ages and the Age of Charlemagne
Text: Chapter 9 with Readings 30 and 34 except “Liturgical
Music and the Rise of Drama,” and “Romanesque
Art”section
Online Readings: St. Benedict’s Rule, Early Medieval Oral
Epics
Nov. 7
Age of Charlemagne, cont; The High Middle Ages
Text: Chapter 9, “Romanesque Art/Sculpture”;
Chapter 10 through “Music of the School of Notre Dame”
with Reading 36 (St. Francis)
Online Readings: The Parts of the Mass, Selection of
Medieval Lyrics, Selections from a Medieval Bestiary
Nov. 14
The High Middle Ages
Text: Chapter 10, “Scholasticism” to end of chapter with
Readings 37, 38 (Aquinas, Dante’s Inferno)
Online Readings: Two Fabliaux, Troubadours and Courtly
Love
Nov. 21
The High and Late Middle Ages
Text: Chapter 11 through “Christine de Pisan” with
Readings 41, 42, 44 (Boccaccio, Chaucer, Christine de
Pisan)
Online Readings: Chaucer and Boccaccio
Late Middle Ages: The Fourteenth Century
Text: Chapter 11 (complete)
Online Readings: Ars Nova Music
The Fourteenth Century: Dawn of the Renaissance
Wrapup and Review
Nov. 28
Dec. 5
Dec. 12
Listening/Viewing Quiz: Wed. 12/14, 11:00 a.m. in class!
Chapter 11 Quiz closes at 11:00 p.m., Dec. 14!
RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS/REFERENCES
Bronowski, Jacob. The Ascent of Man.
Clark, Kenneth. Civilization.
Fleming, William. Arts and Ideas.
Lamm, Robert C. et al. The Search for Personal Freedom.
Tarnas, Richard. The Passion of the Western Mind
Wood, Michael. Art of the Western World.
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Arts Report due Wed. 11/2
Unit Essay Exam #3
due Wed. 11/16
Unit Essay Exam #4
due Wed. 11/14,
5:00 p.m.