University of North Carolina at Asheville Humanities Program Fall 2015

HUM 214: COMMUNITIES AND SELVES: 300-1700

Sections HUM214.009 & HUM214.010 “But since it is my object to write what shall be useful to whosoever understands it, it seems to me better to follow the real truth of things than an imaginary view of them.” —From Nicolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), The Prince

Days/Time, Classroom: • Common lecture or both sections (HUM214.009 & HUM214.010) meeting: Monday, 11:00 am.-12:15pm., Lipinsky Auditorium or CAR132 • HUM214.009: Wednesday & Friday, 9:30 am.-10:45 am, KAR006 • HUM214.010: Wednesday & Friday, 11:00 am.-12:15 pm., CAR132 Credit Hours: 4 Prerequisite: HUM 124 Instructor: Dr. Andronikos Falangas Office: TBA Office Hours: TBA Email: [email protected] Phone: (773) 441-9063 Course Description: A study of world civilization from the 4th to the 17th centuries, i.e. from Late Antiquity to the Baroque period, emphasizing European developments, but also attending to parallel developments in Middle Eastern, African, Chinese, Indian, and Latin American cultures. Areas of study include philosophy, religion, history, art, literature, music, and political systems. Learning Outcomes: 1. Students demonstrate knowledge in the interdisciplinary study of pre-modern civilizations, both in writing and orally. 2. Students identify the key elements of a primary text and other cultural products. 3. Students write a well-supported, organized, and clearly articulated argument using both primary and secondary sources. 4. Students demonstrate knowledge of the belief systems and worldviews held by the diverse cultures studied. In development of student fulfillment of the Learning Outcomes, this course will give students opportunities to acquire a background against which they can better comprehend the diversity of cultural and religious identities, and their development across the centuries up to the present day. Required Texts: • • • •

Henry M. Sayre, The Humanities: Culture, Continuity, and Change, Part 2. The Asheville Reader: The Medieval and Renaissance World. Djibril T. Niane (ed.), Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. William Shakespeare, Othello.

All these titles are available at the UNCA Bookstore. Course Reader of Primary Sources: In addition to the above books, other material consisting of narrative sources is available through Moodle. Slides, short films, and documentaries may also be presented in class. Students are asked to bring to class all the books/printouts assigned for the week.

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Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and read the assignments so as to be prepared for class discussion. Experience shows that there is a direct relation between attendance and performance in the course. Attendance will be taken in each class and all absences (excused and unexcused) will be recorded. Three or four unexcused absences (three or four days of participation) may result in the lowering of the final course grade by five percent (5%). More than four will put students in danger of failing the course. The same policy may be applied to a student who is systematically tardy. Students are allowed two excused tardies. Obvious reasons for legitimate excused absences include illness, military service, court appearance, official university business (proof may be necessary). Students who deal with health conditions or life problems that affect their attendance are asked to contact their instructor (a medical note may be required). Participation: Participation is expected and encouraged. Twenty five percent (25%) of a student’s grade is based on the evaluation of his/her active and engaged participation in each class, which includes timely completion of assignments, contributions to discussion, asking and answering questions, asking for or providing further explanations of lectures and course readings, and seeing the instructor outside of class to further discuss course material and/or assignments. Students who do not show interest in classroom interaction may receive a final grade lowered by 20%. The course is intended to make students active participants in the learning process and promote their critical thinking skills by a constant dialog in the classroom assuming teacher-student and student-student constructive discussion. This approach will be implemented by an instructional practice that helps students engage themselves in conversation, develop their curiosity, experience discovery and make inductive or deductive leaps: the use of interpretative questions. On the contrary, factual questions implying one short answer about a precise fact hold back students from practicing dialogue and hamper their ability to perceive the complexity and significance of the cultural and socio-political movements examined in this course. Examples of factual and interpretive questions: • •

When did the Reformation begin? (factual question). What factors led to the Reformation? (interpretative question).

Monday’s lecture, text, and primary document readings will form the basis of the Wednesday’s and Friday’s discussions. Reflection topics and discussion questions will be posted regularly on Moodle. Students are to complete all assigned readings if they plan to maximize their participation in class discussion. During Wednesday or Friday section meetings, each student will respond to a quiz or treat a theme related to the common lecture of each week. The purpose of this in-class activity is to ensure that students are sufficiently prepared. No computers, tablets or other electronic devices are allowed during the Wednesday, or Friday classes, unless students have a documented need for one. Their use is permitted during the Monday lectures only for taking notes. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to civility. Disruptive or inattentive behaviors, such as sleeping in class, “talking to your neighbor,” cell-phone use (including text messaging), leaving the classroom numerous times, and doing homework for other classes will negate the student’s

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in-class performance. Students are asked to arrive prior to the beginning of the Monday lecture and sit in the assigned rows in Lipinsky Auditorium. Grading Scale and Standards: Attendance & Participation: 25% Midterm Exam: 20% Final Exam: 20% Research Paper: 25% Two Cultural Event Papers: 10% (5% each) A: 93-100; A-: 90-92; B+: 87-89; B: 83-86; B-: 80-82; C+: 77-79; C: 73-76; C-: 70-72; D: 60-69; F: 0-59 Exams: The exams are intended to assess students’ understanding of the course content and main ideas. They may consist of: • • • •

a reflection either on an literary excerpt or on artistic work; short essay responses; matching questions; map identifications.

According to my experience, engaged class participation is strongly related to exam success. Students should complete their exams without using any unauthorized aids, including reading material, notes, computers, cell phones, etc. Copying with or without the other person’s knowledge during an exam is an act of academic dishonesty and will result in a failing grade. Review sessions for both exams will meet outside of class time. There are two exams: a midterm (HUM214.009 & HUM214.010: October 2) and a final (HUM214.010: December 2, HUM214.009: December 4). The midterm exam covers the first half of the course (weeks 1-7) and the final exam the second half (weeks 8-15). There are no early or make-up exams. Exams must be taken when they are scheduled, except for students who provide SSD documentation, are hospitalized or under medical care at the time of the exam (a statement from a medical professional is required) or have a verifiable emergency. Research Paper: Research papers are intended to present, comment, and evaluate historical figures, events, ideas, or/and works of literature and art related to the present course. They are based upon primary sources (narratives, documents, architectural and artistic monuments, artifacts, etc.). Students should handle at least two primary sources and consult a number of relevant academic works (books, journal articles, online papers). Examples: • “Aspects of Medieval Spirituality: Scivias by Hildegard von Bingen and The Testament by St. Clare of Assisi”; • “Reformation and Temporal Power: In Light of Martin Luther’s and John Calvin’s Writings” HUM 214: The Medieval and Renaissance World

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Once completed the research paper will provide evidence of how a student has encountered, learned, understood/interpreted, and/or appreciated a number of cultural, political, and social issues. In fact, research papers help students to acquire: • familiarity with research methodology, capability to localize various categories of sources and the means to analyze them; • critical thinking skills making them able to articulate coherent arguments, to assess the validity of the primary sources and the accuracy of the related bibliography; • communication skills that permit to present their analysis and conclusions in an effective and convincing manner through various ways of expression. Evaluation criteria: • • • • •

logical sequence in subject development and structure; correct and valid reasoning of conclusions; depth of knowledge including awareness of alternative points of view; consistency of critical thinking; analytical writing skills: coherent sequence of ideas, language clarity, variety, and precision; • responsiveness to writing conventions (e.g. grammar, spelling, punctuation).

Ramsey Library is an excellent resource for finding primary sources and related bibliography. Internet can also be a valuable research tool, if it is used with some degree of circumspection. Students are expected to discuss their online research with the instructor. All papers and other written assignments should be printed and must conform to the conventions of Standard American English. Sources must be fully cited within the body of the paper. Each paper should be formatted with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman, doublespaced. The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation and format style is highly recommended (see https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090701095636_747.pdf). Research papers should not be longer than 3.5000 words. Do not submit any papers or other assignments by e-mail unless you have permission from the instructor. Do not slide papers etc. under the door as they can be easily lost. A research paper is due by November 20. Plagiarism: Plagiarius means kidnapper in Latin. Webster’s Dictionary defines plagiarism as “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own; use (another’s production) without crediting the source,” and “to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.” Please always document the source of an idea and use quotation marks when you draw phrases or entire sentences from a book or an article. Plagiarism carries severe academic penalties, including a failing grade for the course, or a failing grade on a particular assignment. See UNCA Handbook. Cultural Event Papers In addition to course assignments, exams, and research paper, students must physically attend and describe two cultural events relevant to the themes covered in this course. These events include, but are not limited to: HUM 214: The Medieval and Renaissance World

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• • • • •

gallery or museum art exhibitions; musical performances; theatrical or dance productions; literary readings; book presentations.

The events must take place during the semester and must be open to the public (previously attended or recorded events are not acceptable). Students are asked to discuss the events they intent to attend with their instructor in order to make sure that they will count. After attending an event, students are required to submit a short paper (one single spaced page) explaining why they chose it and how it contributed to their understanding to the key issues, events, and/or ideas examined in this course. The first cultural event paper is due by October 16 and the second by November 6. Late policy: Research papers and cultural event papers are due by the dates indicated in the syllabus. Not late work will be accepted unless prior arrangements are made with and approved by the instructor. Only firmly documented excuses are accepted. Contact: Email is the preferred method of contacting me: [email protected]. Students may also communicate with me on the Moodle Course page. Phone is an alternative: (773) 628-7381 (mobile phone). Please do not hesitate to email or call to ask questions, seek advice, or discuss problems related to your attendance. University Writing Center: The University Writing Center (UWC), located on the main floor of Ramsey Library, offers support to writers in 45-minute, one-on-one sessions. UWC consultations are highly recommended but not required. The UWC helps writers: brainstorm; find a topic; incorporate and document sources; organize their drafts; develop revision strategies; and more. If you visit the UWC, take a copy of your assignment, any drafting or notes you may have, as well as any sources you’re working with. To find out more about UWC services, visit their web page at https://writingcenter.unca.edu/. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: University of North Carolina at Asheville is committed to making courses, programs and activities accessible to persons with documented disabilities. Students requiring reasonable accommodations must register with the Office of Academic Accessibility by providing supporting documentation. All information provided will remain confidential. For more information please contact the Office of Academic Accessibility at (828) 232-5050 or [email protected] or visit them in the OneStop Student Services Center. Inclement Weather: This syllabus is subject to change in case of inclement weather conditions. Students will be notified of any changes (see http://publicsafety.unca.edu/em/adverse-weather-procedures). HUM 214: The Medieval and Renaissance World

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Core Themes: Weeks 2-3: Negotiating relationships between Nature and the Sacred Weeks 4-7: Bodies and Souls/Death and Afterlife Weeks 8-10: Movement of Peoples and Ideas: Pilgrimage, Encounter, Travel & Trade Weeks 11-13: Power and Authority, Justice and Governance (within this theme, labor and slavery) Week 14: Rise of the Individual/persistence of community

Course Calendar: Week 1- 8/17-21: Lipinsky Auditorium 8/17, 11-12:15: Toolbox mini-presentations This opening panel will include an introduction to Humanities 214 and to several challenges and analytical tools and strategies for critically interpreting ancient world materials. Speakers: Dr. Ellen Holmes Pearson, Department of History and Coordinator, Humanities 214; Dr. Lora Holland, Department of Classics; Dr. Gary Ettari, Department of Literature and Language; Dr. Evan Gurney, Department of Literature and Language. Pre-Modern Mali/West Africa • •

Sundiata Sayre, p. 300-304

Toolbox •

AR: Ibn Khaldun, from The Muqaddimah (14th century Islam) AR, pp. 140-147

Media Resources • West Wing Mercator Map Projection clip • Griot music and storytelling videos

Week 2-

8/24-28: Lipinsky Auditorium 8/24, 11-12:15 Panel discussion: “The Dynamics of Nature, Human, and Sacred Relationships” Speakers: Dennis Lundblad , Humanities Program; Ann Dunn, Humanities Program; Ellen Holmes Pearson, Department of History; Kate Zubko, Department of Religious Studies. Texts • • •

Song of the Lute (China, Tang Dynasty, 9th century) Sayings from the Desert Fathers & Mothers (3rd/4th century Egypt) Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Sun (Europe, 13th century)

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• • • • •

Prayer from the Navajo healing ceremony called Night Chant (precontact Americas) Ganga Lahiri (India, 17th century) Poems of Kabir (India, 15th century) Poetry Selection from the Arabic Peninsula Sayre, Chapter 11

Media Resources • •

VM: Dr. Jeff Konz, Gregorian Chants (medieval Europe) Kabir’s Doha (Kabir’s poetry set to music)

Artifacts • Week 3-

Islamic architecture gallery

8/31-9/4: Classes will meet in sections all three days this week Texts: • • • • • •

Revisit Sundiata (Pre-Islamic Africa) Story of the Parrot Chicks (India, early centuries of CE) necdote of Srimati (India, early centuries of CE) The Story of Krishna and Kaliya, the Snake (India, 4th century) Iroquois Creation Myth (precontact Americas) Sayre, Chapter 8

Media Resources • •

VM: Dr. Rodger Payne, Art and Architecture of the Byzantine era. Classical Indian Music/Santoor Music

Artifacts • Buddha image gallery Week 4Monday

9/7-12: Open choice week 7/8: Note that the classes are not cancelled for the Labor Day This week is an opportunity for students to use a variety of media and other approaches in documenting their learning, understanding and synthesizing of the relationships between nature and the sacred. This creative effort will include the analysis and contextualization of various topics related to the above relationship from 300 to 1700. The students should address them creatively, in an artistic, mediatic or/and literary approach, after a thorough reflection

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Week 5-

9/14-18: “The Body and Death” Speakers: Dr. John Wood, Department of Anthropology; Dr. Gary Ettari, Department of Literature and Language; Dr. Eva Bares, Department of Art/Art History Texts • • • • • •

“Death Be Not Proud” (16th/17th century England) Dante, Inferno Canti 1, 15, 24, 25, 26, 33 (14th century Italy) Al Ghazali, Remembrance of Death (11th century Islamic World) Popul Vuh “Descent to Xibalba” (pre-contact Meso-America) Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (16th century Switzerland) AR, pp. 256-266 Sayre, pp. 446-453, 458

Media Resources •

VM: Dr. Brian Hook, “The Afterlife”

Artifacts • • • • Week 6-

Hieronymus Bosch, Death and the Miser (ca. 1485/1490 Netherlands) Crucifixion image gallery European tombs image gallery Reclining Buddha image gallery

9/21-25: Classes will meet in their sections all three days this week Texts • • • • •

Margery Kempe (14th/15th century England) Procopius, History of the Wars/The Secret History (ca. 500, Byzantine Empire) AR: pp. 16-27 Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias (12th century Palatine of the Rhine), Sayre, pp. 335, 357-58 Christine de Pisan, City of Ladies (15th century France) AR: 117123 Sayre, pp. 455-457, 527-531

Media Resources • •

VM: Dr. Sophie Mills, Gender and the Body Excerpts from Hildegard of Bingen opera, Ordo Virtutum

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Week 7- 9/28-10/2: Open choice week This week is dedicated to the religious experience known as mysticism. Our section meetings aim to a nuanced and historical understanding of the mystical movements that emerged in different parts of the world from Late Antiquity to the early modern period. Students will compare a number of the practices and rituals presented and discussed in class. Friday

10/2: Midterm Exam

Monday

10/5-6: Fall Break – No classes

Week 8-

10/7-9: Classes will meet in their sections on Wednesday and Friday Texts • Shakespeare, Othello • Machiavelli, Excerpt from The Prince (16th century Italy) • Sayre, pp. 605-614; 651-656

Week 9-

10/12-16: “Encounters and Transmissions of Knowledge” Speakers: Dr. Grant Hardy, Department of History; Dr. Samer Traboulsi, Department of History; Prof. Gregory B. Lyon, Humanities Program Texts • • • • • • • • •

Nagarjuna, writings (250 CE, India) Huaman Poma, “Letter to a King” (16th century Spanish America) AR: 358-371 Jacques Cartier Journal excerpts (16th century North America) Petrarch’s Letters to Cicero (14th century Italy) Montaigne “Of Cannibals” (16th century France) AR: 296-307 Crusades Readings Ibn Khaldun, Muqaddimah (14th century Islam) (excerpt on Moodle) Ibn Battuta on Mali Sayre, p. 579-586, Chapter 18

Media Resources • •

VM: Dr. Sophie Mills “Troubadours & Trobairitz” VM: Gregory B. Lyon, “Printing Press”

Artifacts Friday

10/16: Deadline for the cultural event paper #1

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Week 10- 10/19-23: Title TBA Speakers: Dr. Eva Bares, Department of Art/Art History; Dr. Samer Traboulsi, Department of History Wednesday

10/21: Common experience, regular section times: Mosaic making

Friday

10/23: Classes will meet in their sections Texts • TBA Media Resources •

Hagia Sophia video clip on mosaic making

Artifacts Week 11-

10/26-30: “Why and How Are Power Structures Established?” Speakers: Dr. Bill Spellman, Department of History, Dr. Grant Hardy, Department of History Texts • • • • • • • • •

Examination System (Tang Dynasty China) Magna Carta (13th century England) Song of Roland (8th century England) Poor Laws of England/transcript of forged passport (16th century England) Tractate Pe’ah/Matnot Anyiim (Rabbinic Judaism) Constitution of Medina (7th century Islam) Elizabeth I (16th century England) AR: pp. 267-277 James I (16th/17th century England/Britain) AR: pp. 278-295 Sayre, chapter 19

Media Resources • VM: Dr. Evan Gurney, “Charitable Institutions, Crime and Vagrancy” • VM: Prof. Dennis Lundblad, “Rabbinic Judaism” Week 12-

11/2-6: “Why and How Do Power Structures Fall Apart?” Speaker: Dr. Till Dohse, Department of Mathematics Texts • •

Martin Luther 95 Theses (16th century Saxony), Sayre, p. 593 Erasmus Praise of Folly (16th century Netherlands), Sayre, p. 571573

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• • •

Revisit Machiavelli, The Prince excerpts (16th century Italy) The Constitutions of the Fourth Lateran Council (13th century Christianity) AR: pp. 72-79 Sayre, chapter 17, pp. 516-517; 665-667

Media Resources •

Martin Luther “A Mighty Fortress is our God”

Artifacts Friday Week 13-

11/6: Deadline for the cultural event paper #2 11/9-13: Open choice week From the execution of Michael Servetus (1533) to the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1572): Defining intolerance and fanaticism.

Week 14- 11/17-20: Classes will Meet in Sections all three days this week • •

VM: Dr. Keya Maitra and Dr. Ellen Holmes Pearson “Rise of the Individual and Persistence of Community,” VM: Dr. Ellen Holmes Pearson, “Shoes as Text”

Texts • • • • • • • •

Akbar’s Court (16th century India) Roger Bacon, “On Experimental Science” (13th century England) Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, “To Her Self Portrait” (17th century Meso-America) Mornay, “Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants” (16th century France) AR: pp. 278-285 Michelangelo, Letter (16th century Italy) AR: pp. 237-239 Vasari, Lives of the Most Eminent Architects . . . (16th century Italy) AR: pp. 221-236 Cellini, Autobiography (16th century Italy) AR: pp. 240-255 Sayre, pp. 468-479; 762-767; Chapters 15, 16

Artifacts: Doors of Paradise, Ghiberti Self-Portrait, Dome of Florence Cathedral, Northern Renaissance work: Merode Altarpiece, Arnolfini portrait

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Media Resources • • • •

Le Danse Roi film clip Music selections from Renaissance and Baroque eras Xicochi Contetzintlé, Mexican Baroque music Classical Indian music

Friday

11/20: Deadline for the research paper

Week 15-

11/23: Final common lecture: “Navigating the Humanities: Where have we been? been? Where are we? Where are we going?” Speakers: Prof. Ann Dunn, Humanities Program and Dr. Sam Kaplan, Department of Mathematics.

Tuesday

11/24: Last day of classes

Wednesday

11/25: Thanksgiving holiday begins

Wednesday

12/2, 11:30 am.-1:00 pm.: HUM214.010 Final Exam

Friday

12/4, 9:00 am-10:30 pm.: HUM214.009 Final Exam

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