HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 1 Discussion
DQ1 The Value of the Humanities
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 1
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address the following:
What is the value of studying the humanities in the field of health professions?
How might a topic such as art, literature, music, dance, etc. from other time periods enhance your career and personal life in the present?
Select one aspect of the humanities that is meaningful to your personal life and one for career. Explain how is each meaningful.
In addition, include a specific example of a work (a specific work of art, literature, theater, or music) that you feel is meaningful to your personal life and/or career. Explain the connection.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
DQ2 What Is a Work of Art?
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 2
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source
Initial Post Instructions
If art lacks a clear definition, what criteria are used to determine what a work of art is? Please look at several works on any museum website to discuss what constitutes "art." Some major museums include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, or National Gallery of Art, or consider finding a local museum. The permanent collection is normally under the Collections link, but feel free to explore the entire website for your selection.
For the initial post, address the following:
What approaches should we take in responding to a work of art?
Select an example of art that fits your definition of art and provide an example of non-art (either from the site or in the world around you).
Determine how line, color, texture, and/or composition are part of your definition.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 2 Discussion
Critic of the Arts
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 3, 4
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Initial Post Instructions
Select a work of art from any of the chapters in our textbook, and write a response that analyzes the art through the lens of a descriptive critic, an interpretive critic, and an evaluative critic. What different things would these critics have to say? Use the following guidelines:
Descriptive Critic: Address at least 3 different elements of art and/or principles of design.
Interpretive Critic: This will require research so that you can understand the subject, meaning, and intent of the work.
Evaluative Critic: Use the standards of perfection, insight, and inexhaustibility (as described in the text).
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Provide feedback on whether you agree or disagree with their criticism. Explain why. Build on their posts by providing additional insight of your own. If your peer selected the same artwork as you, make sure to address new point or develop existing points in more depth.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 3 Discussion
Influences of Ancient Architecture
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 6
Lesson 2
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Initial Post Instructions
This week you will read about architecture. The lesson includes information on Roman architecture, which was greatly influenced by the Greeks and Etruscans.
Locate at least two architectural works that were influenced by Greco-Roman architecture. These can be from any time period after the Greco-Roman period but should be from different periods themselves (e.g., one from Renaissance and one from Baroque). Then address the following:
What is the function of each structure?
How does each work exhibit influence of the Greco-Roman period? Is the influence specifically Greek, Etruscan, or Roman – or a combination?
How would you compare the two selected works? Take the role of the evaluative critic.
Use examples from the text, the lesson, and the library to help support your answer. Please remember to provide images and citations to help illustrate your points.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 4 Discussion
Literary Movements
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 7, 8
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook – for historical/political influences)
Initial Post Instructions
Choose one of the literary movements that you read about this week and at least one work from that movement. Movements, authors, and famous works are discussed in the lesson as well. You do not have to choose authors or works discussed in the lesson, but you may. For your initial post, address one of the following:
Option 1: Examine the movement and specific work in relation to historical and political influences of the movement. Include a one paragraph summary of the plot before moving on to the examination of the work in relation to the movement.
Option 2: Examine a specific artwork influenced by a literary work and how the artist captured the subject or story. Here are a few examples, but you are not restricted to this list:
Asher B. Durand's Thanatopsis (influenced by William Cullen Bryant's "Thanatopsis")
John William Waterhouse's The Lady of Shalott (influenced by Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott")
Sir John Everett Millais's Ophelia (influenced by Shakespeare's Ophelia from Hamlet)
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Apollo and Daphne or The Rape of Prosperina (influenced by ancient myths)
Ancient Greek vase painting (influenced by various ancient myths)
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Respond to one peer who chose an option different from yours. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 5 Discussion
Music and Dance
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 9, 10
Minimum of 1 primary source (from artist)
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook – from critic)
Initial Post Instructions
Choose one of the music or dance movements that you read about this week and at least one work from that movement. Then, address the following:
Examine the movement and specific work in relation to historical and political influences of the movement.
Identify characteristics of the movement and how the work reflects these characteristics.
Include a statement from the artist and one from a critic.
Include a link to the lyrics and/or video depending on your choice.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 6 Discussion
Photography and Cinema
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 11
Lesson 1, 2
Minimum of 1 primary or scholarly source (from photographer or critic – either will count as your scholarly source requirement for discussions)
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address one of the following options:
Option 1: In the 19th century, the camera was a revolutionary invention, and many artists were concerned about the effect that photographs would have on the art world.
Did the invention of the camera change the arts? Why or why not?
Choose an artistic movement that you believe was influenced by the camera and discuss how the movement was affected.
Include at least one example of an artist and artwork in your response.
Include a statement from a current photographer or critic to support your points.
Option 2: In the 21st century, the smartphone camera changed the way we use and view photography. In addition, apps and social media have changed the way we share photography.
How has the invention of the smartphone camera changed photography?
How have apps and social media changed the way we share photos? Are they positive and/or negative changes? Explain.
Include a statement from a current photographer or critic to support your points.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Respond to one peer who chose an option different from yours. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 7 Discussion
TV as Art
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 13, 14
Lesson
Minimum of 1 primary or scholarly source (from actor/director or critic – either will count as your scholarly source requirement for discussions)
Initial Post Instructions
Many people would say that the 1999 premier of The Sopranos was a turning point in the development of television as an art form. Choose a television or streaming show that you feel perpetuates the idea that television is indeed a form of art. For the initial post, address the following:
Include the name of the show and the director.
Explain why you think this program is art.
What impact does the example have on viewers' lives?
What were some influences of this work?
Include a statement from an actor, director, or critic of the program that supports your points.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Respond to one peer who chose an option different from yours. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 8 Discussion
Interdisciplinary Works
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 15
Lesson
Minimum of 1 primary source (from artist)
Minimum of 1 scholarly source
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, select and address one of the following options:
Option 1: Choose a work to discuss from one genre that interprets a work from another genre.
Include the title, artist, and description of both works.
Examine how the artist of the second work captured the subject or story of the first.
Support your point(s) with a statement from the second artist that discusses the influence, reasoning, or interpretation of the original work on the second work.
Click on the following link for examples:
Link: Examples
Option 2: Choose a work that is interdisciplinary (incorporates two or more disciplines), such as Hamilton from our lesson this week.
Include the title and artist(s).
Examine the genres that are intermingled to create the work.
How effective is the blending of genres in the work?
Why do you think the artist used different disciplines in the work?
Support your point(s) with a statement from the artist and one from a critic.
Option 3: Choose a work of art from any genre that depicts or tells the story of a real life event from any time period, such as The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on December 2, 1804 by Jacques Louis David.
Include the title and the artist and some background of the event.
What is the relationship between the work of art and the event?
Did the artist depict the event accurately?
Does the artist make changes regarding the event? If so, why do you think the artist made these changes?
Examine the artist's message in the depiction.
Support your point(s) with a statement from the artist.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
