COURSE DESCRIPTION: This stand-alone course is an interdisciplinary survey of cultures focusing on the philosophical and aesthetic factors in human values with an emphasis on the historical development of the individual and society and the need to create.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

2. Articulate how these works express the values of the individual and society within an historical and social context.

3. Articulate an informed personal response and critically analyze works in the arts and humanities.

4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the influence of literature, philosophy, and the arts on cultural experiences.

5. Demonstrate an awareness of the creative process and why humans create

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Academic Honesty: All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism (the act of copying and pasting information from one source and inserting into a paper without proper citation, rewriting information from another source and inserting into a paper without proper citation, copying and rewriting from another student’s work and using as your own), collusion, fabrication, cheating etc. will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.

• All violations will be forwarded to the proper college authorities for review. Any form of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
 

Classroom Rules and Expectations: All students are required to practice courteous, respectful, cooperative behavior at all times. To avoid distractions in the classroom, students will arrive on time and stay until class is dismissed.  Be prepared to stay on task. 

Cell Phone/ Personal Computer Policy:   In order to not interrupt the class session, students are asked to turn off all cell phones and pagers prior to the beginning of class.   Inform the instructor before class if you are on emergency call or of any special circumstance that may require your communication.   Personal computers are to be used strictly for notes and accessing course material.  Improper use of cell phones and personal computers during class time including checking personal e-mail, personal web pages, texting and other class information will not be tolerated.   

Do not bring food to class.  You may bring a drink.

Listen courteously to one speaker at a time, without interruptions and do not engage in side conversations.

 Accessing AC Online:  It is the student’s responsibility to check all e-mails and messages sent by the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to check the Announcement section for information regarding any changes for class. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria: It is the student’s responsibility to complete all assigned tasks by the specified due date. Individual assignments are evaluated by the instructor. Students are expected to complete all requirements with no less than 75% accuracy.

Course Requirements:  Students will complete all assignments.  E-mailed assignments will not be accepted unless specified by the instructor.  No late assignments accepted.

GRADING:

1. 20% - Assessments: There are two online assessments worth 10% each, based on material in the textbook, lectures, field trips and extra online study materials. The assessments, assignments and study materials may be found in the “Content” section of the class homepage on ACConnect.

       2.  10% - Cultural Event Attendance and Analysis - Student will attend at least one cultural event outside the classroom and submit a required analysis. (500 – 700 words)

        3.  20% - Critical Thinking Analysis - Students will choose one painting or sculpture from the text book that “grabs” their attention (selection can be from any chapter 1 – 13) Using the methods for Formal Criticism (pp. 27-28, objective viewpoint) and Contextual Criticism (p. 29, subjective viewpoint) students will write a detailed outline/analysis of the work using guidelines provided by the instructor. Contextual critical view should include historical events which link the work of art to its time and cultural context, showing how the work is affected by its social setting (and vice versa), in contrast to formal criticism, which focuses more on description and execution than interpretation. (750 – 1000 words).

        4.  15% - Communication Skills and Personal Responsibility - Students will present the Critical Thinking Analysis and historical facts pertaining to the time period the work was completed in a PowerPoint format using guidelines provided by the instructor.  Students will receive a rating/scoring by the class which will add from 1 to 3 extra-credit points to the presentation grade.  

        5.  15% -  Social Responsibility -   Using the analytic comparison used in Personal Responsibility, students will work in small groups and identify:  (1) the use of art as a tool for social interaction, (2) similarities to the philosophical/cultural importance of the Critical Thinking Analyses presented, and (3) propaganda within advertising.  The groups will present to the class information using guidelines provided by the instructor.  Students will receive a rating/scoring by the class which will add from 1 to 3 extra-credit points to the presentation grade.

         6.  20% - Final Exam - The final exam will be online, in essentially the same form as the Assessments, but with more questions, focusing more on the historical material in the second half of the textbook.

Grading Schema:

89.50 – 100 A

79.50 – 89.49 B
69.50 – 79.49 C
59.50 – 69.49 D

00.00 – 59.49 F 

Attendance

The outcome of your final grade can be affected by an absence from class. Attendance will be critical to your comprehension and understanding of the material and to the successful completion of this class. Just borrowing someone’s notes will not be enough.

Cancellation due to emergencies will be posted on the door, AC Online or by e-mail. Time will be determined by the inside classroom clock. Please inform the instructor at least three days in advance for approved absences. Written verification may be requested by the instructor – i.e. a doctor’s note. The student is responsible for obtaining and completing all work and assignments missed as a result of an excused absence.

Calendar

Additional Information

The Course Calendar is subject to change due to unexpected situations. It is the student’s responsibility to check online email and announcements for all other forms of communication issued by the Instructor.

Accessing AC Online:  It is the student’s responsibility to check all e-mails and messages which are sent by the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to check the Announcement section for information regarding any changes for class. Students will submit all assignments and analyses using AC Online unless noted on the assignment or by the instructor.