HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 2 Assignment
Essay – Painting Analysis & Reflection
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 4
Lesson
Minimum of 3 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook)
Instructions
As part of the discussion this week, you made a brief exploration of a work of art to understand its subject, meaning, and intent. In this assignment, you will explore an artwork in more depth to consider the context in which it was created. Choose any painting, and address the following:
Explain the artistic movement associated with the work of art.
Describe the style of the artist (How is the artist unique within the movement?)
Examine in some depth the influences that shaped the work. Address at least 2 of the following:
Stylistic influences
Subject/content influences
Cross-disciplinary influences such as literature, philosophy, music, science, technology, etc.
Historical influences
Political influences
Reflect on your learning.
How did your research enhance your appreciation of the artwork?
How does understanding the context of a work help in interpreting it?
Include the following in your paper:
Name of the painting
Name of the artist
Date created
Image of the painting
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page, references page, image, or caption for artwork)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 3 scholarly sources)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 3 Assignment
Art Creation & Reflection – Sculpture, Painting, or Drawing
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Lessons: Week 1, 2, 3
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Instructions
This week you will use your readings from the past two weeks as a point of departure to create your own artistic production and a reflection paper.
Part 1: Art Creation
Select one of the visual art pieces from Chapters 1-6 or the lessons from Weeks 1-3 to use as a point of inspiration. Create a painting, sculpture, drawing, or work of architecture inspired by your selected art piece.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a reflection about the relationship between your art production and the inspiration piece. Include the following in the reflection paper:
Introduction
Inspiration Piece
Include image.
Record the title, artist, year, and place of origin.
Briefly explain the background of the inspiration piece.
Your Art Piece
Include image.
Provide a title.
Explain the background of your piece.
Connection
Explain the thematic connection between the two pieces.
How are they similar and different?
Are they the same medium? How does the medium impact what the viewer experiences?
How do the formal elements of design compare to one another?
Original Artwork Requirements
Methods: paint, watercolor, pencil, crayon, marker, collage, clay, metal, or wood (Check with your instructor about other methods you have in mind.)
No computer-generated pieces
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page, references page, or image of artwork)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 4 Assignment
Essay – Play Analysis
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 8
Play from the Internet, YouTube, DVD, iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc.
1 primary source (written version of selected play)
Instructions
Plays are meant to be performed, rather than read. The purpose of dramatic arts often extends far beyond the words written on a page; staging, lighting, costumes intonation, expression, and audience experience are all part of the experience of a theatrical production. To develop your understanding of the cultural role of the dramatic arts, you will view a production of a play this week and write a reflection to explain your viewing experience. Choose a play that you would like to view and find a version online, YouTube, DVD or iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, etc. You can also choose to see a play live if you prefer.
Play Suggestions:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Romeo and Juliet
As You Like It
Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Much Ado About Nothing
The Comedy of Errors
Macbeth
King Lear
If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.
Then, select and address one of the following options:
Option 1: Write an analysis of the play that you viewed. Include at least one quote from the play in your essay. In your essay, address the following:
Identify the performance that you have selected.
Describe the staging, lighting, costumes, and characters of the performance. How do these match or revise the written version of the play? You do not need to read the entire play, but you should skim the text.
What type of mood and tone does the performance create? How?
What parts of the play are easier to understand through performance? What are some details that stood out through performance?
What are your feelings about this performance? What did you take away from viewing it?
Option 2: Find an adaptation or transformation of a play. Choose an adaptation with some significant differences from the original, such as transposed plots and characters into a variety of different settings and historical contexts. Here are some examples:
A Midsummer Night's Dream - A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) or A Midsummer Night's DREAM (2018)
Romeo and Juliet - Romeo + Juliet (1996) or West Side Story (1961) or Romeo Must Die (2000)
As You Like It - As You Like It (2006)
Taming of the Shrew - 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) or Kiss Me, Kate (1948)
Much Ado About Nothing - Much Ado About Nothing (2012)
The Comedy of Errors - The Bomb-itty of Errors (2012)
King Lear - A Thousand Acres (1997)
Othello - O (2001)
Hamlet - The Lion King (2019 or 1994) or Hamlet (2000)
Twelfth Night - She's the Man (2006)
If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.
Watch the original version and the adapted version. In your essay, address the following:
How is the adaptation the same as the original? Discuss plot, characters, theme, conflict, language, etc.
How does the adaptation differ from the original? Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.
Does the original story translate well in the adaptation? Why or why not? Did the adaptation work in a different setting, time period, etc. Why or why not?
Why do you think Shakespeare's plays are adapted so often?
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 source)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 5 Assignment
Art Creation – Music/Dance/Poetry
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 9, 10
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Instructions
This week you will use your readings from the past week as a point of departure to create your own artistic production and a reflection paper.
Part 1: Art Creation
Select a poem, musical piece, or dance piece to use as a point of inspiration. Create a work of poetry, lyrics, music, or dance, inspired by your selected art piece. Video or audio recordings should be no longer than 5 minutes and must be in MP4 format.
Note: If your art creation requires a separate file submission, please submit in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a reflection about the relationship between your art production and the inspiration piece. Include the following in the reflection paper:
Introduction
Inspiration Piece
Include the inspiration poem, lyrics, or recording of musical or dance piece within the document. Use a link in the case of a recording.
Record the title, artist/author/composer, year, and place of origin.
Briefly explain the background of the inspiration piece.
Your Art Piece
Include your original poem or lyrics within the document. If you selected a musical or dance piece, submit as a separate file in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Provide a title.
Explain the background of your piece.
Connection
Explain the thematic connection between the two pieces.
How are they similar and different?
Are they the same medium? How does the medium impact what the viewer experiences?
Original Artwork Requirements
Methods: typed poem or lyrics, or recording of musical or dance piece
No computer-generated pieces
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page, text of inspiration piece, or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 6 Assignment
Art Creation & Reflection – Photography/Cinema
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 11, 12
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Instructions
This week you will use your readings from the past week as a point of departure to create your own artistic production and a reflection paper.
Part 1: Art Creation
Select a photograph or film art piece to use as a point of inspiration. Create an art piece of photography or cinematography inspired by your selected art piece. Videos should be no longer than 5 minutes and must be in MP4 format.
Note: If your art creation requires a separate file submission, please submit in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a reflection about the relationship between your art production and the inspiration piece. Include the following in the reflection paper:
Introduction
Inspiration Piece
Include the inspiration photograph or cinematography within the document. Use a link in the case of cinematography.
Record the title, artist/director, year, and place of origin.
Briefly explain the background of the inspiration piece.
Your Art Piece
Include your original photograph within the document. If you selected cinematography, submit as a separate file in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Provide a title.
Explain the background of your piece.
Connection
Explain the thematic connection between the two pieces.
How are they similar and different?
Are they the same medium? How does the medium impact what the viewer experiences?
For photography, how do the formal elements of design compare to one another?
Original Artwork Requirements
Methods: photo or video
No computer-generated pieces
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page, images, or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 7 Assignment
Controversial Art and Censorship
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 14
Lesson
Minimum of 1 primary sources (artist statement)
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook – from critic)
Instructions
Although social justice art is not a topic exclusive to the 20th and 21st centuries, the distribution of information regarding controversial art with gender, race, sexual, and/or environmental themes has increased with the proliferation of media. Choose an example of a social justice work of art from the 20th or 21st centuries from any discipline of the humanities (music, literature, sculpture, film, television, etc.). Then, address the following:
Identify the work and the medium.
Based on your example, to what extent does this work of art make a social contribution?
What aesthetic value does the work have? How does it reflect the human condition? How does it relate to your life?
Has this work ever been censored? If so, explain the circumstances.
Are governments ever justified in censoring art? Why or why not?
Examine some of the influences of this work of art. What was the public reaction to this work? Does it effectively portray its message?
Argue whether or not this work should be considered art. Explain why using terms learned in this course.
Include an accompanying statement from the artist(s) and a statement from a critic to support your points.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source and 1 primary source)
HUMN303 / HUMN303N Introduction to the Humanities
Week 8 Assignment
Essay – Interrelationships Reflection
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 15
Lesson: Week 1, 8
Minimum of 1 scholarly source
Instructions
As we learned in Week 1, there is a difference between being educated and simply trained. The purpose of education is not only to determine what someone can do, but also what kind of person they become as a result of their education. Studies in the humanities will advance the communication skills, empathy, self-awareness, judgment, and professionalism of students, and they help students with becoming skilled at the social and cultural context of working with people.
In addition, studying the humanities can help students in the following ways:
Literature can introduce students to life situations with which they may not be familiar.
Drama can teach oral communication.
Philosophy can teach skills of analysis and argument.
Art, literature, drama. and music are expressions of human creativity, and taking part in some form of artistic activity, either as reader or viewer, is part of what makes us human.
For this assignment, choose a work of art that made an impression on you during this course. Then, address the following:
Include an image of or link to the work.
Identify the artist, the title, date completed, and the medium.
Explain how learning about the work will help you in your life and career. Consider the context in which the work was created and the meaning of the work.
Explain how one or more specific disciplines (literature, drama, philosophy, art, music) influenced you.
Examine the effect that you think this class could have on your career and personal life.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
Length: 2-2.5 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source)
