Humanities Assignment 3-111

Quarter	Winter, 2014
Meeting Days/Time	Monday, 5:45-9:45
Instructor	Prof. Henry Simoni-Wastila, Ph.D.
Instructor E-mail	[email protected]
Instructor Phone	410-517-3554
Instructor Office Hours/Location	Monday, 3:45-5:45 and also by appointment
Academic Office Contact	301-505-3332/301-505-3311
Strayer Online Technical Support	1-877-642-2999

Course Dates:

1/6/2014	Term Start Date
Week 1		Week 7
	1/6/2014		2/17/2014
Week 2		Week 8
	1/13/2014		2/24/2014
Week 3	NO CLASS	Week 9
	1/20/2014		3/3/2014
Week 4		Week 10
	1/27/2014		3/10/2014
Week 5		Week 11
	2/3/2014		3/17/2014
Week 6
	2/10/2014

Class Policies:

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. Should absences be necessary, students are responsible for the material covered during the absences. Faculty cannot grant requests for excessive amounts of make-up material, and they may request written documentation detailing the reason for the absences. Excessive absences make it almost impossible for a student to meet the academic objectives of a course; they frequently cause a student to receive a lower grade, even though, the absences were unavoidable.

Strayer University requires all faculty members to take attendance during each class period and to record it accurately on their permanent roster. This data is available for verification of attendance by the appropriate governmental agencies and educational accrediting organizations. A student who is absent from four consecutive class meetings, excluding holidays and emergency cancellation of classes, will be withdrawn automatically from that course. A student will be withdrawn automatically from a mini-session course when he/she misses two consecutively scheduled class meetings.

Students not attending scheduled on-ground classes will receive zero points for the weekly discussions. Students arriving to class (or leaving class) more than 30 minutes late/early will receive a 2 point deduction for all discussions. Students arriving (or leaving class) more than 1 hour late/early will receive a 5 point deduction for all discussions.

Late Work Submissions

If a student anticipates the need to submit work after the due date and the reason for the late submission is covered by the illness/exceptional circumstances policy, then the late policy for academic assignments covered herein does not apply.

Students who submit work after the assigned due date that is not covered by the exceptional circumstance policy can expect a reduction of points.

· Assignments submitted within 7 days after the submission date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

· Assignments submitted between 8 and 14 days after the submission date will receive up to a 20% deduction.

· Assignments are not allowed to be submitted after 14 days from the due date, or no later than the last Friday of the academic term.

Tests and Quizzes

All tests and quizzes are to be completed prior to our schedule lecture date, all tests and quizzes missed, without prior coordination, with Dr. Richardson will NOT be unlocked and all quizzes not completed will receive a grade of zero.

Honor Pledge

All work submitted for this course is subject to the University’s Academic Integrity Policy available in the Student Handbook and the University’s Honor Pledge, printed below: I have read and understand Strayer University’s Academic Integrity Policy. I promise to conduct myself with integrity in the submission of all academic work to the University and will not give or receive unauthorized assistance for the completion of assignments, research papers, examinations or other work. I understand that violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will lead to disciplinary action against me, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the University. I understand that all students play a role in preserving the academic integrity of the University and have an obligation to report violations of the Academic Integrity Policy committed by other students.

Academic Integrity

Strayer University holds its students to high standards of academic integrity and will not tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of intellectual dishonesty include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabricating data or citations, stealing examinations, using instructor editions of textbooks without authorization, taking an exam for another, tampering with the academic work of another student, facilitating other students’ acts of academic dishonesty, and resubmitting work completed in another course (with the exception of compiling previous coursework, if approved, into a Directed Research Project).

Plagiarism

Plagiarism means the act of passing off the work or ideas of another person as one’s own. Plagiarism can be either intentional (for example, downloading a research paper from the Internet and submitting it as one’s original work), or unintentional (for example, the single improper citation of another person’s statement). Both forms of plagiarism are unacceptable at Strayer University, but the penalties may vary with the type and seriousness of the infraction.

Turnitin

Due to Strayer University’s firm belief in upholding academic integrity and honesty, a contract has been signed with Turnitin, which is essentially software to detect and avoid plagiarism. Courses including essays, research papers, or any writing assignments as assessment items serve to evaluate not only the effectiveness of a student’s writing skills, but also a student’s research skills (including proper citations and references), critical-thinking skills, and ability to provide strong argument to support and defend their point-of-view. In order to effectively and fairly measure these attributes in a student, it is important to know that the student has submitted original work. This is where the Turnitin feature is utilized. Students are allowed to run their writing assignment through this software to detect any instance of plagiarism and then perform the necessary changes before making the final submission to their Instructor for grading. This opportunity allows the students to make corrections in their paper and submit original work. The Instructor reserves the right to run the students’ work through this utility again and, in the event of finding any level of plagiarism, may use his/her discretion to grade the students’ work.

APA Style

Strayer University uses the APA (American Psychological Association) Writing Style in all its courses which require a formal writing assignment. Instructors provide information on some useful resources in the course.

Grade Dispute Policy

Disputes regarding grades may be raised only on FINAL grades. The student must dispute a final grade within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of the course for which the grade was awarded or the date the grade was awarded, whichever is later. After this time, the University will not evaluate grade disputes from the student.

Grade disputes are subject to a 3-level review process. The student must first submit the grade dispute in writing to the instructor of the course for which the grade was received. The dispute must include copies of any documentation that supports the student’s request for a change of grade. Within ten (10) working days of receiving the student’s dispute, the instructor will respond to the student to explain the grade awarded and/or will provide a detailed written explanation that includes the final grade calculation as specified by the syllabus or course guide grading criteria. If the instructor is unavailable or does not respond within ten (10) working days, or if the student feels there is additional information that needs to be reviewed in response to the faculty member’s decision, he or she should refer to the Student Handbook at https://icampus.strayer.edu/publications/student_handbook for information on how to proceed.

Campus Policy

Children are not allowed to attend class with students for any reason.

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, consult the Strayer University student website at www.strayer.edu for information on University closings and delays. Be sure to monitor the website for updates as they occur. Additionally, the student is required to contact me by phone or email to verify the course’s cancellation.

University Services

Please go to your course’s Student Center to see the Policies and Services document under Student Course Guide for any further University policies.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Surveys the arts, literature, belief systems, and major events in the development of cultures around the globe from ancient times to the period of the European Renaissance.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Sayre, H. M. (2012). The humanities: culture, continuity and change, Volume 1 (2nd ed.). (2011 Custom Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Supplemental Resources

Barnstone, T., (Ed.). (2003). Literatures of Asia. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Bottero, J. (1992). Mesopotamia: writing, reasoning, and the gods. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Cohen, J. (2008). A history of western literature: From medieval epic to modern poetry. Piscataway, NJ: Aldine Transaction.

McKenzie, L. (2000). Non-western art: a brief guide. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Plazy, G. (2001). The history of art in pictures: Western art from prehistory to the present.

New York, NY: Sterling Publishing.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.

2. Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.

3. Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.

4. Identify and describe key artistic styles in the visual arts of world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.

5. Identify and describe key literary works, styles, and writers from world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.

6. Identify and describe key musical styles from world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.

7. Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.

8. Explore the presence of cultural parallels between the world’s cultures.

9. Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.

10. Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.

Week	Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation	Points
1	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 2: Mesopotamia and reading selections: from Law Code of Hammurabi and Epic of Gilgamesh · Chapter 3: Stability of Ancient Egypt Activities · Discussion Evaluation · None	20
2	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 7: Urban Life and Imperial Majesty in China and India and reading selection: from Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11: Centers of Culture: Court and City in the Larger World · Deadline for submitting Project Paper (Assignment 2) topic choice Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 1: Chapters 2 and 3	20 40
3	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 4: Aegean World and the Rise of Greece and reading selections: from Iliad and Odyssey · Chapter 5: Golden Age Athens and the Hellenic World Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 2: Chapters 7 and 11	20 40
4	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 6: Rome and reading selection, from Aeneid · Chapter 8: The Flowering of Christianity and reading selections: from Augustine’s Confessions and City of God Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 3: Chapters 4 and 5 · Assignment 1: Essay	20 40 100
5	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 9: The Rise and Spread of Islam · Chapter 10: Fiefdom and Monastery, Pilgrimage, and Crusade · Deadline for submitting activity proposal for the Week 10 Cultural Activity Report Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 4: Chapters 6 and 8	20 40
6	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 12: The Gothic Style · Chapter 13: Siena and Florence in the Fourteenth Century and reading selections: from Boccaccio’s Decameron, “Dioneo’s Tale” and “Filippa’s Tale” Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 5: Chapters 9 and 10	20 40
7	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 14: Florence and the Early Renaissance and reading selection: from Giorgio Vasari, “Life of Leonardo” · Chapter 15: The High Renaissance in Rome and Venice” and reading selection: from Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 6: Chapters 12 and 13	20 40
8	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 16: The Renaissance in the North · Chapter 19: England in the Tudor Age and reading selections: from Hamlet Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 7: Chapters 14 and 15 · Assignment 2: Project Paper	20 40 200
9	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 17: The Reformation and reading selection: from Martin Luther, Ninety-Five Theses · Chapter 20: The Early Counter-Reformation and Mannerism and reading selection: from Cervantes, Don Quixote Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 8: Chapters 16 and 19	20 40
10	Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 18: Encounter and Confrontation: The Impact of Increasing Global Interaction and reading selection: from Bernadino de Sahugun, History of the Things of New Spain Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 9: Chapters 17 and 20 · Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report	20 40 100
11	Preparation · Reading(s): None Activities · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 10: Chapter 18	20 20

GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE

Assignment	Total Points	% of Grade
Quizzes (open book with an unlimited time limit) (10 quizzes, covering 19 chapters, 5 questions each chapter; questions worth 4 points each)	380	38%
Assignment 1: Essay	100	10%
Assignment 2: Project Paper	200	20%
Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report	100	10%
Participation (11 discussions, worth 20 points each)	220	22%
Totals	1,000	100%

Points	Percentage	Grade
900 – 1,000	90% – 100%	A
800 – 899	80% – 89%	B
700 – 799	70% – 79%	C
600 – 699	60% – 69%	D
Below 600	Below 60%	F

Quarter Schedule

Week	Due Date	Chapters & Assignments	Points
1	Jan 6	Chapter 2: Mesopotamia, 31 Chapter 3: Egypt, 65
2	Jan 13	Chapter 7: China, India, 213 Chapter 11: Court and City, 359 Quiz 1: Chapters 2, 3
	Jan 20	No Class: MLK Day
3	Jan 27	Chapter 4: Early Greece, 95 Chapter 5: The Hellenic World, 135 Quiz 2: Chapters 7 and 11
4	Feb 3	Chapter 6: Rome, 175 Chapter 8: Christianity, 245 Quiz 3: Chapters 4 and 5 Assignment 1: Essay
5	Feb 10 Mid-Term Grades	Chapter 9: Islam, 285 Chapter 10: The Medieval World, 315 Quiz 4: Chapters 6 and 8
6	Feb 17	Chapter 12: The Gothic Style, 401 Chapter 13: The Fourteenth Century, 429 Quiz 5: Chapters 9 and 10
7	Feb 24	Chapter 14: Florence, 461 Chapter 15: The High Renaissance, 495 Quiz 6: Chapters 12 and 13
8	March 3	Chapter 16: The Renaissance in the North, 535 Chapter 19: England, 623 Quiz 7: Chapters 14 and 15 Assignment 2: Project Paper
9	March 10	Chapter 17: The Reformation, 561 Chapter 20: The Counter-Reformation, 653 Quiz 8: Chapters 16 and 19
10	March 17	Chapter 18: Colonialism, 589 Quiz 9: Chapters 17 and 20 Assignment 3: Cultural Event Report
11	March 24	No Readings Quiz 10: Chapter 18
		Discussions
		Total	1,000 (100%)

Assignment 1: Essay

Due Week 4 and worth 100 points

Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen.

Topic Choices:

· There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated.

· No one can say for certain what happened to the Mayan people, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.

· It is believed that Queen Hatshepsut dressed as a man to gain support of the Egyptians. After her death, her successor removed as many remnants of her rule as possible. Although a pharaoh, her mummified remains and tomb have never been conclusively found.

· Tutankhamen died young, at around 18 years of age. However, his cause of death has not been confirmed. Did he die of an injury, of illness, or was he murdered?

· Considered the “Mummy’s Curse,” a series of unexplainable, unfortunate, or tragic events that happened to the people who were present at the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb.

· The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding. It is believed that the workers were forced to remain inside the tomb when it was walled shut so they would not reveal the secrets of its construction. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate burial place?

· Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric

Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you:

1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.

2. Identify one (1) of the theories and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.

3. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference).

· Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

· Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.

· Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.

· Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.

· Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance

· Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.

· Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 100	Assignment 1: Essay
Criteria	Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	Fair 70-79% C	Proficient 80-89% B	Exemplary 90-100% A
1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc. Weight: 40%	Did not submit or incompletely stated the “mystery”. Did not submit or incompletely provided a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Did not submit or incompletely included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Insufficiently stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Insufficiently included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Partially stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Partially included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Satisfactorily stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Satisfactorily included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.	Thoroughly stated the “mystery” and provided a brief summary of at least two (2) theories which could explain the mystery. Thoroughly included the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
2. Identify one (1) of the theories and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. Weight: 35%	Did not submit or incompletely identified one (1) of the theories and provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Insufficiently identified one (1) of the theories and provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Partially identified one (1) of the theories and provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Satisfactorily identified one (1) of the theories and provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.	Thoroughly identified one (1) of the theories and provided at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery.
3. 2 References– number and quality Weight: 5%	No references provided	Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.	Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.	Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.	Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.
4. Clarity ,writing mechanics, referencing, and formatting requirements Weight: 20%	More than 8 errors present	7-8 errors present	5-6 errors present	3-4 errors present	0-2 errors present

Assignment 2: Project Paper

Due Week 8 and worth 200 points

The Project Paper focuses on a suggested topic related to art, architecture, history, music, or literature. The project will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities to be the creative, innovative, and critical thinker you already are!

Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that responds to each of the items described in the topic.

Note: Submit your topic choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 2.

For the topic you choose:

1. Support your ideas with specific, illustrative examples. If there are questions or points associated with your chosen topic, be sure to answer all of the listed questions and address all of the items in that topic. If your topic requires you to do several things related to the topic, be sure to do each of the things listed.

2. While some of the topics tend to lend themselves toward particular writing genres, you are not restricted to the specific format suggested for the individual topic. For example, you may do an “interview,” a “proposal,” a “letter,” a “short story,” a “blog,” an “essay,” an “article,” or any other written genre for almost any of the topics. The project is intended to be fun as well as informative, so feel free to be creative with the delivery of your information.

3. Use at least two (2) sources besides the textbook, which counts as one (1) source. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Topic choices (pick 1):

· Self-Portraits. Journal. The Renaissance artists Titian, Rembrandt, and Durer have each painted self-portraits. Imagine yourself as one of these artists (or another artist of your choice that has painted a self-portrait) and write a journal expressing your thoughts on “your” art (in other words, the journal entries the artist would probably write.) (1) Explain “your” primary reason for painting a self-portrait. (2) Describe “your” artistic choices in composition: use of color, space, etc. (3) Explain what the portrait represents about “you” (as the artist.) (4) Explain “your” choices of subject with regard to at least three other specific pieces “you” have painted.

· Ladies & Gentlemen. Survey & Report. Some may believe that being “gentleman” or a “lady” in today’s society is an outdated notion, but others may disagree. (1) Briefly summarize the main characteristics of a well-rounded person, “l’uomo universal,” referring to specific sections within the excerpt from The Courtier which identifies these characteristics. (2) Create a “survey” based on the identified characteristics and “poll” at least ten people to find out whether or not the characteristics are relevant for a “gentleman” or “lady” of today. (3) Tabulate and discuss the responses in terms of gender, age, vocation, etc. of your survey participants, making note of any interesting or surprising results which show up in your poll answers. (4) Finally, explain whether or not you agree with the characteristics expressed by Castiglione in The Courtier.

· Bayeux Tapestry Experience. Letter. Imagine yourself as one of the figures in the battle depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry; in a letter home, you describe your experience to your family. (1) Write a first-person account of this historical event from the perspective of one of the figures in tapestry. (2) Use your senses to describe your impression of the event. (3) Describe specific elements of the scene such as uniforms, weaponry, fighting styles, etc. (4) Explain why you believe your side was justified in participating in the battle and how you would like the battle to be remembered.

· Ancient Chinese Contributions. Essay. To win a trip to China, you enter a contest to determine the four most useful contributions or inventions created by the ancient Chinese. (1) Identify eight to ten of these useful inventions or contributions. (2) Nominate four (4) that you believe are the most ingenious or innovative. (3) Explain why you believe these four inventions or contributions are the most useful inventions or contributions from the ancient Chinese. (4) Identify one (1) invention or contribution that you cannot live without and explain why.

· Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

The Project Paper will be graded on:

1. The level to which the instructions were followed.

2. The extent to which all four (4) parts in the topic were addressed.

3. The adequacy of information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.

4. The relevance of the explanations and descriptions.

5. The inclusion of three (3) required references (two additional sources besides your textbook) documented using APA style.

6. Adherence to standard rules of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions specific to the selected topic. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference).

· Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

· Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.

· Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.

· Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.

· Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance.

· Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.

· Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 200	Assignment 2: Project Paper
Criteria	Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	Fair 70-79% C	Proficient 80-89% B	Exemplary 90-100% A
1. The level to which the instructions were followed. Weight: 15%	Did not submit or incompletely followed instructions.	Insufficiently followed instructions.	Partially followed instructions.	Satisfactorily followed instructions.	Thoroughly followed instructions.
2. The extent to which all four (4) parts in the topic were addressed. Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely addressed all four (4) parts in the topic.	Insufficiently addressed all four (4) parts in the topic.	Partially addressed all four (4) parts in the topic.	Satisfactorily addressed all four (4) parts in the topic.	Thoroughly addressed all four (4) parts in the topic.
3. The adequacy of information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea. Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely provided adequate information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Insufficiently provided adequate information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Partially provided adequate information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Satisfactorily provided adequate information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.	Thoroughly provided adequate information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main idea.
4. The relevance of the explanations and descriptions. Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely provided explanations and descriptions that were relevant.	Insufficiently provided explanations and descriptions that were relevant.	Partially provided explanations and descriptions that were relevant.	Satisfactorily provided explanations and descriptions that were relevant.	Thoroughly provided explanations and descriptions that were relevant.
5. 3 References– number and quality Weight: 5%	No references provided	Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.	Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.	Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.	Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.
6. Clarity ,writing mechanics, referencing, and formatting requirements Weight: 20%	More than 8 errors present	7-8 errors present	5-6 errors present	3-4 errors present	0-2 errors present

Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report

Due Week 10 and worth 100 points

As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, computer, and textbook, you are asked to do a certain type of “cultural activity” that fits well with our course and then report on your experience.   Your instructor will require you to propose an activity and get instructor approval before you do it and report on it (students should look for any instructions in that respect). Every effort should be made to ensure that this is a hands-on experience (not a virtual one), that this activity fits the HUM 111 class well, and that the activity is of sufficient quality for this university course. The two (2) key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance. Note: This must not be a report on the same activity (and certainly not the same report) as done for another class, like HUM 112. For instance, one might go to the same museum as done for HUM 112, but this HUM 111 report will focus on entirely different works and displays.

1. Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun doing this.

2. Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.

· Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.

· Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).

· Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.

· Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should include connections you make between things observed in your activity and things learned in the course and text.

Note: Submit your cultural event choice to the instructor for approval before the end of Week 5 (earlier is even better). Look for guidance from the instructor for how or where to make your proposal. You may also seek advice from your instructor (provide your town/state or zip code) for a good activity in your general area.

Visiting a Museum

· It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what there is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you.

· If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.

· Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 111 class and book. Since HUM 111 covers from ancient times to the 1500s AD, it makes more sense to focus on items from that time frame. In general, museums with artistic cultural artifacts and fine arts work better than history museums.

· Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for the activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Normally we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.

· Make notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.

· The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two (2) or three (3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums even have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.

· If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting suddenly caught fire, which two (2) pieces of art or exhibits would you most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two (2) particular pieces?

Attending a Performance

· Check your local colleges to see if there are any free or low-cost performances or student recitals. Student performances are generally of almost the same quality as professional performances, but typically cost much less. However, performances of high school level or lower will not meet this requirement.

· A performance that is relevant to a HUM 111 course is more difficult to find than a performance that would be relevant to HUM 112 (which covers from 1600 to the present). However, our course does cover Shakespeare and Greek tragedy and drama, so any performances of those will work. One can sometimes find music performances of music from the Renaissance or Reformation period, or even earlier.

· Any questions about whether a performance activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for an activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Normally we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.

· Unlike visiting a museum, where you can wear almost anything, people attending performances are often expected to “dress up” a bit.

· Take a pen or pencil with you and accept the program you are offered by the usher; you will probably want to make notes on it during or after the performance.

· Turn off your cell phone before entering the auditorium. Do not use your phone to record the music or to take pictures or videos. To play it safe, turn the phone off.

· Most long musical performances have at least one (1) intermission. If the lights start blinking, it is a sign that the performance is about to begin.

· Look for very specific things (such as a particular piece of music or the way certain instruments sounded at a specific time) which tend to stand out as either enjoyable or not enjoyable. Be sure to make notes of the things which you find enjoyable as well as the things which are not enjoyable.

If a student is unable to attend a cultural event in person due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, then the instructor will recommend an alternate event/activity for the student to “attend” online. The “virtual” event/activity is usually only for students who, due to their physical location, cannot possibly attend an event/activity in person; typically, these students are stationed overseas or have no means of transportation. If you believe that you have a legitimate reason for attending a “virtual” activity, you must contact the instructor no later than Week 5 for your request to be considered.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference).

· Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

· Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.

· Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions

· Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.

· Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 100	Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report
Criteria	Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	Fair 70-79% C	Proficient 80-89% B	Exemplary 90-100% A
1. Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event. Weight: 15%	Did not submit or incompletely identified the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.	Insufficiently identified the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.	Partially identified the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.	Satisfactorily identified the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.	Thoroughly identified the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
2. Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.). Weight: 25%	Did not submit or incompletely provided specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).	Insufficiently provided specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).	Partially provided specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).	Satisfactorily provided specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).	Thoroughly provided specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces (e.g., art, exhibits, music, etc.).
3. Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event. Weight: 40%	Did not submit or incompletely provided a summary of the event. Did not submit or incompletely described your overall reaction after attending the event.	Insufficiently provided a summary of the event. Insufficiently described your overall reaction after attending the event.	Partially provided a summary of the event. Partially described your overall reaction after attending the event.	Satisfactorily provided a summary of the event. Satisfactorily described your overall reaction after attending the event.	Thoroughly provided a summary of the event. Thoroughly described your overall reaction after attending the event.
4. Clarity, writing mechanics, referencing, and formatting requirements. Weight: 20%	More than 8 errors present	7-8 errors present	5-6 errors present	3-4 errors present	0-2 errors present

Weekly Course Schedule

The purpose of the course schedule is to give you, at a glance, the required preparation, activities, and evaluation components of your course. For more information about your course, whether on-ground or online, access your online course shell.

The expectations for a 4.5 credit hour course are for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This time estimate includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of the delivery mode.

Instructional Materials

In order to be fully prepared, obtain a copy of the required textbooks and other instructional materials prior to the first day of class. When available, Strayer University provides a link to the first three (3) chapters of your textbook(s) in eBook format. Check your online course shell for availability.

Review the online course shell or check with your professor to determine whether Internet-based assignments and activities are used in this course.

Strayer students are encouraged to purchase their course materials through our designated bookstore MBS Direct. http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/strayer.htm  If a lab is required for the course, MBS Direct is the only vendor that sells the correct registration code so that Strayer students may access labs successfully.

Discussions

To earn full credit in an online threaded discussion, students must have one original post and a minimum of one other post per discussion thread.

Please note: Material in the online class will be made available three weeks at a time to allow students to work ahead, however, faculty will be focused on and responding only to the current calendar week. As it is always possible that students could lose their work due to unforeseen circumstances, it is a best practice to routinely save a working draft in a separate file before posting in the course discussion area. Professors hold discussions during class time for on-ground students. Check with your professor if any additional discussion participation is required in the online course shell outside of class hours.

Tests

Tests (quizzes, midterm and final exams, essay exams, lab tests, etc.) are available for student access and completion through the online course shell. Check the online course shell to determine how students are expected to take the tests. Do not change these questions or their point values in any way. This disrupts the automated grade book preset in the online course shell.

· Online students are to complete the test by Monday 9:00 a.m. Details regarding due dates are posted in the Blackboard Calendar tool.

· On-ground students are to complete the tests after the material is covered and before the next class session.

Assignments

A standardized performance grading rubric is a tool your professor will use to evaluate your written assignments. Review the rubric before submitting assignments that have grading rubrics associated with them to ensure you have met the performance criteria stated on the rubric.

Grades are based on individual effort. There is no group grading; however, working in groups in the online or on-ground classroom is acceptable.

Assignments for online students are always submitted through the online course shell. On-ground professors will inform students on how to submit assignments, whether in paper format or through the online course shell.

Resources

The Resource Center navigation button in the online course shell contains helpful links. Strayer University Library Resources are available here as well as other important information. You should review this area to find resources and answers to common questions.

Technical support is available for the following:

· For technical questions, please contact Strayer Online Technical Support by logging in to your iCampus account at https://icampus.strayer.edu/login and submitting a case under “Student Center,” then “Submit Help Ticket.” If you are unable to log in to your iCampus account, please contact Technical Support via phone at (877) 642-2999.

· For concerns with your class, please access the Solution Center by logging in to your iCampus account at https://icampus.strayer.edu/login and submitting a case under “Student Center,” then “Submit Help Ticket.” If you are unable to log in to your iCampus account, please contact the IT Help Desk at (866) 610-8123 or at mailto:[email protected] .

TurnItIn.com is an optional online tool to assess the originality of student written work. Check with your professor for access and use instructions.

The Strayer Policies link on the navigation bar in the online course shell contains academic policies. It is important that students be aware of these policies.