Humanities

An overview of the content and purpose of the humanities, this course explores the relationship of the individual to society through materials from various humanities disciplines. Creative imagination and social context, universal versus culture-specific qualities of human experience and expression, the connection between appreciation and analysis, as well as the concept of criteria for evaluative judgments, are explored through sample topics from a variety of Humanities subjects. Sources from the visual arts, literature, religion, philosophy, history and the social sciences will be included. The terms and methods of analysis used in these various fields of study will be stressed.

This course combines experience in the appreciation of painting, sculpture and architecture so that the student may analyze and interpret works of art. The class will study the artist's materials, messages and language (i.e. color, line, shape, shade, texture, volume space and composition). Field trips may be part of this curriculum and students may incur nominal fees.

This course is a survey of music history from the Middle Ages to the present and includes selected listening samples. The course looks at music's relationship to other art forms along with significant societal and historical events. Focus is on selected composers, the elements of music, its forms, and the musical characteristics of each period. Attendance at a rehearsal or concert performed by professional musicians is a requirement of this course and may incur a nominal fee.

This course explores the relationship between communication and critical thinking. It explores logical thought and analysis with an emphasis on cause-and-effect and logical premise-and-conclusion arguments. Students will examine how to assess effective arguments and how to determine fallacious reasoning.

In this course, students will engage in an overview of the world of theatre through the study of theatre history, dramatic literature, theatre performance and production, and the practical application of theatre skills to a real life situation. Emphasis is on theatre as an important aspect of our culture both historically and in the present day. Through the study of theatre history, dramatic literature, performance, and design, students will improve their understanding of this collaborative art form and its place in today's world. This knowledge will be put to practical use in the form of readings from selected works, observing theatrical performances and becoming actively involved in a theatre event. For an informed understanding of this art, students will attend one live theatrical performance. The student will be responsible for the cost of one ticket for an off campus production. Students will gain confidence in their abilities to be a part of a performing arts event as well as an appreciation for the importance of culture in our daily lives.

This course is designed for the student with little or no knowledge of music. Instruction will begin with the fundamentals of music theory including note values, the Grand Staff, meter, scales, chord structure, and chord progressions. These basics will provide the foundation for creating and harmonizing simple original musical compositions. The process will also include analysis of already existing music, and the development of listening skills including basic music dictation.

This course explores Hollywood film as an art form, industry and system of representation and communication. In one sense, this is a language course - the language of film. The course will explain how Hollywood films work technically, artistically and culturally to reinforce and challenge America's national self-image.

Basic theories of and approaches to the study of popular culture, including various media, folklore, religion and everyday life. Various forms of popular culture including music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion, literature, and digital media may be analyzed. Students will assess how American popular culture reveals historical, political, sociological and economic forces at work that influence our lives.

A survey course exploring the universality of religion in human experience and in various cultures. This course will cover the religious traditions that have a major influence in our world today: Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, the Sikhs, Baha'i, and Native American spirituality.Cultural or societal change and the relationship of religion with socio-political conditions will be referenced, but emphasis will be placed on a comparison of religious ideas, ethics, rituals, devotional practices and the teachings of the founders, prophets, and major leaders who have shaped each religious tradition (rather than on institutional history). A portion of the study of each religion will focus on reading selections from its primary sources: sacred myths, and scriptures.

This course will focus on myths from Ancient Greece but will also include Norse myths and material from the Old Testament, Mesopotamia, and Celtic Britain. We will read some of the greatest stories ever told and discuss how to interpret the mythic descriptions of the relationship between immortals and mortals found in these stories of creation and conflict, madness and love, heroic quest and divine punishment. Some study of historical context will be involved; however, the emphasis will be on exploring the universal qualities that explain why certain myths have outlived their cultural roots to become a meaningful part of the heritage of Western Civilization. Students will explore whether certain elements must be present for a story to be accurately labeled as mythic. Myths and legends will be read in prose or verse translations. Short excerpts will also be read from some of the major modern European and American authors who have been inspired by them. Evidence of the persistence of mythic and heroic archetypes in the visual arts, music, movies, high fantasy literature and popular culture [including RPGs] will also be explored. This course fulfills a General Education Core Requirement:'Humanities/Fine Arts'.

An introductory study of classical and contemporary ethical philosophies and how these philosophies apply to current business practices. The course stresses analytical and problem-solving skills to comprehend the ethical dimensions of business relationships: employer to employee; managers to owners; manufacturers to consumers; and corporations to the environment.

This course provides students with an opportunity to learn in depth about an area not covered by existing courses in the Humanities curriculum and prepares students for an advanced study of a humanities discipline at the bachelor degree level.The topic choice is at the discretion of the instructor and may focus within the fine arts, humanities, philosophy or religion. Through a summative assessment, students will apply knowledge and skills learned through previous program coursework by producing a project on the topic that integrates critical thinking, analysis and writing through strategies of research and interpretation. Course syllabus will be made available prior to the start of registration.