HU 204 - Civilization and Culture I (Antiquity-AD 1500)

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational roots of cultures contributing to the rich tradition of thought and human ingenuity encountered within the Western tradition.

3. Compare and contrast the literature, philosophy, religion, performing arts, and visual arts, from prehistory through the middle ages. (GELO 3)

4. Analyze and discuss the interrelatedness of literature, philosophy, religion, performing arts, and visual arts, from prehistory through the middle ages. 

5. Identify and investigate well-known leaders, composers, artists, writers, theologians, and philosophers.

6. Synthesize and apply ideologies presented in the Humanities so as to better understand his or her own Weltanschauung (world and life view). 

7. Present analyzed and applied practices/principles gained from research in both written and oral formats.

8. Exhibit understanding and tolerance of others’ world and life views.

9. Translate or explain what written information means and/or how it can be used. 

10. Use rules or frameworks to provide context for and understand problems or issues. 
Course Outline:
I. What are the Humanities?

A. The importance of the study of Humanities in today’s fast- changing world.

B. How to appreciate the Humanities?

II. A survey of the different stylistic eras in Western Civilization 

III. Pre-Grecian Civilization

A. Prehistoric peoples

B. Ancient religions and oral tradition

C. First written languages

D. Literary selections

IV. Egyptian Contributions

A. Language

B. Literature

C. Religion

D. Scholarship

V. Greece

A. The dawn of Western Civilization 

1. Greek antecedents

2. The Greek Pantheon and the human experience

B. Ionian philosophers and the ultimate stuff

1. Sophistry: then and now; man is the measure

2. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle; What is man? What about the women?

C. Greek persona in the arts: Literary and Philosophical selection

VI. Rome: Hellenizing the Romans and the Etruscan

A. The foundations and developments of the Roman Empire

B. Roman art, architecture, literature, music, and theater

C. Women of Rome

D. Stoicism Marcus Aurelius, Epicureanism, and Hedonism: Literary and Philosophical selection

E. Rome as a type of the present

VII. The Byzantine Civilization: An outgrowth of Roman culture

A. Neo-Platonists, Manicheans, etc.

B. Augustine and other philosophical thinkers

VIII. The Spread of Christianity and the decline of Roman Civilization

A. The split between the Eastern and Western Empire, Contantinople/Rome

B. Byzantine art, architecture, music and literature: Literary and Philosophical selection

IX. The Dawning of the Middle Ages: Beginnings of feudalism

A. The socio/political power of the church and its influence on the arts. Didactic arts, illustrated manuscripts, stained glass

B. Romanesque, Carolingian, Gothic styles, the great cathedrals Early church music-Gregorian Chant

C. Mystics, theologian, and philosophers: Literary and Philosophical selection

X. The Late Middle Ages: “The Millennium” and its effect on the spirit of the times

A. Urban growth

1. Rise of the middle class

2. Artisanship and the monastic system

B. The rise of the universities; The guilds

C. The evolution of harmony; Liturgical drama; Sacred versus secular Epic poetry

D. Thomas Aquinas: The Christianizing of pagan philosophers. Development of perspective in painting - tactile qualities: Giotto

E. Religious sculpture; cathedral facades; Notre Dame; Charters. Amiens, etc. Mystery, miracle, morality, plays

F. Critics of the times 

1. Dante: The Divine Comedy

2. Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales

G. The beginnings of the Florentine Renaissance

Facilitated discussion: 20-35%

Video and mediated instruction: 20-35%

Group work: 20-40%
Mandatory Course Components:
Tests, quizzes, and/or exams

Minimum of one short analysis paper and/or project

Minimum of one researched individual and/or small group written and oral presentation
Equivalent Courses:
None