Pathways: Reading and Writing in the Humanities

Course Description

Introduction to different modes of enquiry that make up the Humanities: Literature, Fine Arts, Philosophy/Religion/Ethics, and History. Emphasis on the development of academic skills in an online learning environment.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

General Humanities Outcomes

  • Identify and define the several major modes of inquiry (i.e., disciplines) within the Humanities.

  • Identify and define interconnections, overlaps, and liminalities among those disciplines.

  • Critically assess analytical writings and primary-source materials within Humanities disciplines.

  • Evaluate different ways in which materials in the Humanities communicate human lived experience and attempt to create meaning.

  • Communicate clearly and effectively in various modes, including formal and informal academic writing.

CIC College Writing Student Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze written texts to understand how they relate to particular audiences, purposes, and contexts as a way to inform one's own writing.

  • Create and revise written texts for particular audiences, purposes, and contexts.

  • Through oral or written reflection demonstrate awareness of one's writing choices as well as how one's own writing contributes to ongoing conversations in the relevant discipline.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure

Percentage/Points

Journals (4, 5, B)

15%

Discussion (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, B)

5%

Quizzes (3, 4)

5%

Informal Writing Assignment (5, B)

5%

Clean-Slate Radical Revision (5, B, C)

5%

Critical Response Essay (3, 4, 5, A, B)

15%

Close Reading Exercise (5, A, C)

5%

MLA Citations Exercise (3, 5, B)

5%

Creative Project

5%

Term Paper Proposal (3, 4, 5, A, B)

5%

Term Paper (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, B)

10%

Term Paper Revision (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, B, C)

20%

Grading Scale

Percentage

Letter Grade

93–100%

A

90–92%

A-

89–97%

B+

83–86%

B

80–82%

B-

77–79%

C+

73–76%

C

70–72%

C-

67–69%

D+

63–66%

D

60–62%

D-

0–59%

F

Attendance/Participation:

Online-asynchronous course. Attendance is self-paced, in accordance with deadlines. Participation is measured in completion of graded assignments.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Grove Press, 1965. (any edition)

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.