SYLLABUS SPRING QUARTER 2011

Links to course-related resources

See the Course Resources page for additional web materials.

The Humanities Toolkit

This essay provides the primary methodological focus for this course. In addition to the general theory essay, it links short introductions to the means by which scholars engage in research about human creative activity in the past: archaeology, epigraphy, and mythology.

Links to Arts & Humanities Resources on the Web

These consist of pages designed to spark creative impulses, or otherwise augment your understanding of course materials.

The uses of Memory: links to memory theory and other related information.

Cultural links: These pages have been compiled to help students begin their research for projects in this class. But they also offer further information on many of the topics we cover in class.

Domestic life: The humanities are not just about the "big" or "important" stuff; they involve the creative efforts of human beings throughout history. These links offer information on how the humanities relate to the culinary arts, interior and fashion design, and other areas covered by programs at AiDallas.

Peforming arts (especially theater): These links focus on the history and nature of the performing arts, with emphasis on sources related to specific topics covered in this course.

Book arts: Even though modern modes of communication seem to have diminished the role of the book in education, the concept of the book and the philosophical exploration of its meanings (especially as an object of creativity), have become important topics of exploration in the humanities. These links include sources on book arts and artist's books, the history of the book, and aspects of book construction.

Wunderkammern: These links focus on the history and uses of museums (those marvelous public structures that house objects and artifacts about almost every subject open to human knowledge), as well as on the growing interest in "cabinets of curiosities."

All of the links gathered for this course are designed to take the place of pre-digested information available in standard humanities textbooks. I welcome contributions from my students, but please exercise caution when venturing beyond my pages. Evaluate information carefully, by following the guidelines recommended in the research resources (above).

Pay special attention to the "Humanities Toolkit" essays linked on the schedule. These "tools" provide the most reliable foundation for interpreting evidence on any topic of relevance to the arts and humanities.

Course Description: This course introduces students to the scope of human creative traditions in the visual, performing, and intellectual arts. Students will experience and participate in methods of inquiry designed to develop their appreciation of the making of the work, its context in the tradition of human expression, and its reception and interpretation in today's society.

Course Objectives :

Examine the role culture plays in the development of human creativity.
Think critically about aesthetic and philosophical questions and issues.
Apply knowledge of selected cultures in a creative way.
Discover the interdependent and interdisciplinary foundations of the arts.
Explore the ways in which art, science, and technology have functioned together throughout human history.

Additional Course Outcomes: upon successful completion of this class, students should be able to

Conduct effective, college-level research on topics appropriate to the course.
Demonstrate critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills in written assignments.
Explore a variety of methods used by scholars in the humanities to increase our knowledge about the creative traditions of the past and how they influence contemporary culture.

Instructional Method: As an introductory course, this class focuses on the methods and materials used by scholars who engage in research in the many fields which comprise the humanities, and provides examples of how such research contributes to our understanding of human creativity. Students will also be introduced to influential cultural traditions and perspectives by a carefully examining a number of civilizations that have existed through history and their contributions to what we have come to call "the humanities."

The format of this course combines lectures with discussion of material from a variety of sources. The purpose of the course website is to augment this syllabus, support the lectures, and facilitate discussion. Students are expected to have completed assigned or suggested readings before each class. Graded assignments will be introduced in class, and detailed guidelines and requirements will be linked on the Schedule as well as to appropriate sections of the online version of the syllabus (the content of which is identical to this print copy). Familiarity with the website and its contents is vital to students’ success in this class.

Course Requirements: Assignments, resources, and class topics can be found on the Weekly Schedule. Specific criteria for each assignment are listed on the information/guideline pages on the course website. There are 100 possible points available. You are responsible for the following:

Develop one research-based creative term project to be completed by week ten. The project must be accompanied by an essay in which you describe the process through which the project was developed and completed, and an annotated bibliography that describes how each source contributes to the final product. A more detailed description of project choices and parameters can be found on the term project link above, and on the course home page. (35%: fifteen percent for the project, ten each for the essay and research bibliography)

Participation will be fostered by a number of exercises worth 5 points each. These exercises/workshops are tied to particular topics, so you must be present for the entire class to receive credit; there are no make-ups for these assignments. (40%)

Take-home midterm and final examinations are designed to assess your ability to absorb important concepts and make connections among various aspects of the material presented. These are worth 5 points each. (10%)

A group performance designed to demonstrate the importance of the performing arts in the history of human creativity will be presented week 11. Small groups will be selected during class week 8, and a text distributed which must then be adapted by each group for the presentation. The performance and its preparation are worth 10 points. (10%)

Choose from either of two assignments designed to assess your ability to integrate theory into practice: a short essay relating course material to popular culture, or an analysis of cultural artifacts in the Dallas Museum of Art collections. Both the collection analysis and the popular culture analysis will be due week 11. (5%)

Required Materials: To facilitate the collection of course material, please bring to class a three-ring binder and paper for taking notes and performing in-class assignments. All written work and course materials should be kept in the binder which must be maintained in good order and brought to class every week. Taking good notes will help you remember information for future discussion, and you will be allowed to use your notes during quizzes and exams. Notes will, however, only be useful if you’ve paid attention and recorded appropriate observations.

Art Institute of Dallas Policies on Class Assignments and Projects: The Art Institute places considerable emphasis on simulated work situations in which the student is assigned projects with scheduled completion dates. In a professional environment, there are no acceptable excuses for missing project deadlines; therefore, it is extremely important that students develop similar professional discipline in their general studies classes.

General Studies Classroom Policies: The Department of General Studies emphasizes both the academic and professional skills students need for success. The following policies are designed to promote scholastic excellence and successful learning.

Deadlines: Many assignments have scheduled due dates, and some class time is set aside for required projects. Additional time outside of class hours is also expected, however, in order to fulfill requirements and meet deadlines. The Department of General Studies does not accept late work for any reason in any class.

Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected and required. In courses meeting once per week, if a student misses three or more classes during the quarter, or accrues the equivalent of three absences through tardiness, he or she may be dropped for lack of attendance at the discretion of the faculty member. The satisfactory explanation of an absence does not relieve the student from responsibility for the course work assigned and/or due during his or her absences. Students who fail to attend all classes on their schedules for two consecutive weeks of the quarter will be automatically terminated from the school by the Registrar's Office.

Participation expectations: Students must be proactive. If something occurs to inhibit your academic performance or attendance, contact the instructor immediately via email. Students must also be engaged. During the class period, students must devote their attention exclusively to classroom operations, and avoid being distracted by unrelated activities.

Disruptive or Disorderly Conduct: The instructor is the final arbiter of questions concerning classroom conduct. Engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach or fellow students’ ability to learn may result in a conduct referral to the Dean of Student Affairs.

Personal Technologies: All computers and personal communication devices must be turned off during lectures. Only those with special accommodations from the Office of Academic Disability Services may use laptops for note-taking.

Americans with Disabilities Compliance: It is the policy of the Art Institute of Dallas to accommodate the needs of disabled students. This institution will adhere to all applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact affected faculty members and the Office of Academic Disability Services at 469-587-1239 in a timely manner in order to make appropriate arrangements.

Student Assistance Program: The college provides confidential short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and community referral services through the Wellness Corporation Student Assistance Program (SAP), for a wide range of concerns, including relationship issues, family problems, loneliness, depression, and alcohol or drug abuse. The Student Affairs office also offers programs on mental health-related topics each quarter. If you have any questions regarding counseling services, please contact the Office of Student Affairs located in Room 509 for further inquiry or assistance.

SAP services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at https://artinstitutes.personaladvantage.com or 1.800.326.6142.

Academic Ethics and Scholastic Honesty: The Art Institute of Dallas will not tolerate any act of dishonesty or plagiarism. Dishonesty in the classroom, including securing, passing, or receiving a test prior to the test date, or cheating on examinations is subject to a failing grade and possible suspension or termination from the Art Institute. The same rule applies to detected plagiarism within the classroom. Plagiarism includes any unattributed use of materials from any source—including books, periodicals, CD-ROMs, videos, and the World Wide Web, as well as artworks or projects from other students or professionals. All quotations, paraphrases, or other adaptations of others’ work must be properly cited and documented. All acts of dishonesty are to be brought to the attention of the Academic School Director and the Vice-President of Academic Affairs.

All assignments and guideline/instruction pages are linked on the weekly schedule.

The above syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor due to unpredictable and/or uncomfortable situations (weather conditions, Art Institute and/or local, regional, state, or national criteria).

home l schedule l etiquette
03.31.11