This document provides an overview of a humanities course. It discusses how the course will blur boundaries between different fields like arts, philosophy, and anthropology to understand big human questions. It outlines the types of assignments students will complete, including blogs, journals, essays, and a final exam. It explains that most of the grade will be based on in-class work and participation, with smaller portions from written work and self-checks. The course schedule provides learning goals and due dates for pre-modules, modules, and assessments throughout the semester.

1. Humanities.
Now
formatted
for your
phone.
We blur the boundaries between the arts,
philosophy, anthropology, and the human
experience. Our goal is to understand how the
biggest, human questions are answered across the
world, and how people represent those answers.
Why we “listen” to the arts?
We live in a visual, musical, dramatic, and
creative world. Understanding, listening*, and
thinking about how the arts communicate in all
kinds of ways, is important to being alive today.
If you develop a heightened acumen for the
arts, philosophy, and culture you become more
aware of your surroundings, more in touch with
the world, and more alive. In short, the arts
make us better people. We can see, we can
study, and we can analyze through our
emotions. This is how we understand what it
means to be human.
Listening.
Listen with all of your
senses.
What does that mean? It
means: focus with your
eyes and your mind on
what is in front of you;
summarize, paraphrase,
and visualize what is
being said, shown, or
expressed; anticipate what
will happen next; and
above all, ask specific
questions of both yourself
and the communicator.
All art forms – be they visual,
literary, performing, or applied –
can be “read.” The same skills we
use to read a novel, or an article
from a newspaper, or an academic
journal, can be used to understand
the arts. This method allows us to
get passed the first impression, and
notice deeper nuances. If you look
for clues in the work, you can
decode the underlying meaning.
Text: All work is “text”, or in other
words what the form is made of
and how it has taken shape. Forms
describe ideas: in literature and
philosophy we use words arranged
in prose and poetry, in music and
dance we use sound, rhythm and
movement, and in the visual arts
we use a variety of mediums (paint,
ink, wood, clay, stone, plastics, etc.).
We can read any medium just as
we would decode the written word.
This is essential for visual literacy
and cultural literacy.
Context: All work is produced in
an environment. Works are then
influenced by history (and
geography), philosophy (and
religion), and culture (psychology,
sociology, anthropology, language,
and the arts). What separates the
humanities from specific disciplines
(such as an art history course or a
music appreciation course) is not
only the interdisciplinary nature,
but also the intersection between a
work and the context.
Subtext: Works have explicit and
implicit meaning. Finding the
implied meaning requires inference
(a conclusion we come to through
reasoning) and interpretation (an
inference from a certain point of
view). Because this meaning is
implied, it is impossible to know for
certain if our guesses are correct.
But we use context and text to
support our ideas. This is why the
humanities are a form of inquiry.
1
“Reading” the arts…

2. 2
Professor.
My name is Aaron Lawler and I will be your
instructor for this term. I am very excited about
our course! I think our class will be a challenging
and enjoyable experience for all of us! This course
work provides the ability to fine tune your: critical
thinking skills, creativity, problem solving, team
work and communication skills.
Web-enhanced Learning.
Class meets just like a traditional course, but
components of your course will be only
accessible online.
You will be using Blackboard (LMS) to engage
with peers and your instructor, submit
assignments, check email, check notifications,
take quizzes and tests, and access the learning
modules. You must have access to the course
LMS. Waubonsee Support offers Blackboard
training and technology support:
alawler@waubonsee.edu
630.220.9565
ext. 2861
SG BDE 221
www.waubonsee.edu/studentexperience/technical-support
Guidelines & Policies
To be successful in this course, do the following:
❑ Complete the Premodule before the close of
Week 1 (or run the risk of being dropped from
the course!)
❑ Adhere to your academic integrity and civility
promises; be empathetic, open-minded, and
sensitive to others’ perspectives
❑ Always submit work through Blackboard (no
paper or email submissions will be accepted)
❑ All Modules end on the last Friday of the unit
at 11:59 PM CST (latework is only accepted if
you double*). This earns you full credit.
❑ Self-checks and tests cannot be turned in late
❑ No work (excluding the PBL and the Final) is
accepted after Week 14 of the course
❑ Come to class, be on time, avoid e-devices
and crosstalk, ask questions, share ideas, and
actively listen to others
❑ Be prepared for class, follow the weekly
agenda, choose to learn and be mentally
present; and whatever you do, do not pack
up early!
❑ Maintain a 98% by the end of Wk 15 you may
earn a Final Exam exemption
Blackboard.
Working in Your Course
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLontYaRe
EU1uzR5405Nhi_-y5qNCjrK71
Staying Organized
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLontYaRe
EU1ub17f3GEdWuAZE1Dz-27QM
Communicating w/ Peers
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLontYaRe
EU1ub17f3GEdWuAZE1Dz-27QM
Assignments
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLontYaRe
EU1seUE3ACG3sEc3zR7Br7URU
Latework is accepted,
however there are some
stipulations and
conditions that must be
followed.
Latework.
Self-Checks & Tests
No self-checks or
tests can be late (for
any reason!)
Double
Latework is accepted
ONLY if the word
count and/or effort is
doubled, ie. an
assignment that was
100 words can only
be submitted if you
write 200 words.
Modules
Latework is only
accepted from the
previous Module. If
we are in Module 3,
you may submit work
from Module 2 but
not Module 1 or the
Premodule.
Contact me

3. Self-Check
These “quizzes” (checking for
understanding) are used to
verify that students are learning
what is being taught while it is
being taught. You will have
multiple attempts and are
allowed to use resources (notes,
text, multimedia, and the
internet).
Class Blog
Aim for 300 words. Informal writing
Choose a topic (or address a
prompt given to you). Write a
compelling headline geared
towards your audience. Use
subheadings and bullet points to
break up content. Add images
and multimedia. Teach the class
new information and end with a
clear call to action.
Journal
Aim for 300 words. Informal writing
Describe, analyze, interpret, and
evaluate an artform or artifact
(cultural artifacts as well as
physical artifacts are acceptable).
Create a written account of your
understanding and reflect.
Midterm Essay
Aim for 1500 words. Formal writing
Investigate a course topic;
collect, generate, and evaluate
evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a
concise manner.
Problem-Based Learning
Aim for 10 minutes. Creative report
Examine and define the
problem. Evaluate ways to
possibly solve the problem.
Develop a real solution. Report
on your findings.
Avoid slidedeck software, tell a
compelling story, use humor,
incorporate visual aids, be active
and improv (think skits), and
involve the audience (think
games and activities).
Final Short Answer & Essay
Aim for 500 words. Formal writing
Answer an opinion-based
question with supporting
evidence and reasoning.
Aim for 1500 words. Formal writing
Investigate a course topic;
collect, generate, and evaluate
evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a
concise manner.
3
Course schedule.
This is our learning plan, which consists of the
learning goals we hope to achieve over the course
of the semester.
We divide up larger, learning objectives into smaller,
more manageable components. Each learning goal
has a series of concrete actions or steps which
move us towards completing these goals.
In turn, each action is associated with certain
resources and evidence.
Premodule Pre-assessment activities due
❑
❑
❑
❑
Module 1 Formative Assessment activities due
❑
❑
❑
Module 2 Formative Assessment activities due
❑
❑
❑
Interim Module Ipsative Assessment activities due
❑
❑
Module 3 Formative Assessment activities due
❑
❑
❑
Authentic Assessment activities due
❑
Post-Module Authentic Assessment Activities due
❑
❑
Summative Assessment Activities due
❑
❑

4. 4
Grades.
Education is a process that cannot be
measured only by products. Choose to
be active. Choose to be engaged. The
difference between A work and C work
is simple: C work is standard and
merely meets expectations, A work is
rare and exemplary.
How do you excel as opposed to
succeed? Look for the Big Idea – this is
the message that pushes boundaries
and resonates with the learners.
Themes give content meaning through
context and subtext. Find the message
and make connections.
In-class
work.
Written
work.
10%
30%
60%
Grading Scale
Nearly ⅔ of your grade consists of in-class work. This is attendance, active
listening, engagement, participation, and contributions to the class
discussion (either face-to-face and/or through the Participation Forum). It
also includes the group activities, leading the conversation, and the
problem-based learning scenario.
The next largest part of your grade is the written work. As co-creators of
our learning space, writing allows you to contribute to the body of
knowledge in our course. This is a strategic move away from one-way
education, with the focus on the lecturer. Writing is also a tool to learn:
Writing to learn practices state that being able to explain or express
concepts in one's own words both builds and reflects understanding.
The Self-Checks serve as the last, and smallest component. These quizzes
are problems (with answers) given to learners that allow them to assess
how they are doing on an ongoing basis. Doing them online with self-
grading provides immediate feedback. Links to additional materials can be
provided to help anyone who is having difficulties.
Midterm & Final Exams
Both the Midterm and Final Exams are “take-home” “blue-book” exams.
This means they are written essays which address specific questions. The
Final also includes a Short Answer section.
1. Reviews for the Exams are optional
2. You may workshop the exams with your instructor (this is optional)
3. Exams must be submitted Friday 11:59 PM CST during Week 10 for the
Midterm and the last day of face-to-face class 11:59 PM CST (Wed for
M/W courses and Thurs for T/Th courses) during Week 16 for the Final
4. No work (excluding the PBL and the Final) is accepted after Week 14
of the course; only the Final Exam is accepted Week 16
5. No late exams will be accepted. Please do not ask!
A
100 - 90
B
89 - 80
C
79 - 70
D
69 - 60
F
59 - ⬇
Students who discontinue attendance and/or do
not withdraw will receive an “F” for the course.

5. 5
Premodule.
How to be successful in this course: Modular
content refers to a collection of learning resources
developed as a single unit of study. Each unit of
study functions like a building block (independent
and self-contained) but also capable of being
paired with other building blocks.
Tools for Understanding
the Humanities
WEEK 1
Essential Questions
The key questions addressed in this section will include:
1. What do I need to know to be successful in this course?
2. What are the objectives of this course?
3. Why do the humanities matter?
Main Topics
The topics covered in this section will include:
1. Technology and Blackboard proficiency
2. Humanities Experience and Humanities Matter
3. Academic Honesty, Civility, Netiquette and Engagement
Required Studies
The required materials for this section will include:
1. Read: Course Syllabus (document)
2. View: Course Blackboard (lms)
3. Review: WCC Humanities (website)
http://wcchumanities.mystrikingly.com/
4. Review: The Humanities Experience (website)
http://wcchumanities.mystrikingly.com/#humanities-xp
5. Review: Why the Humanities Matter (multimedia)
http://wcchumanities.mystrikingly.com/#humanities-matter
6. View: WCC Faculty Speaker Series – The Global Optimist (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Low-N2Kp-Y
Motifs in the Arts
These are the main motifs in the humanities. Check all that apply:
❑ The Sacred Realm and Spiritual Beliefs
❑ The Natural World and the Cycle of Life
❑ Love, Sex, Body, Gender, and Identity
❑ Person in Community
❑ Politics and Social Order
❑ Science and Technology
Course Content
❑ Stories and Histories
❑ Looking Outward
❑ Looking Inward
❑ The Human Experience
❑ Invention and Fantasy
❑ Art for Art’s Sake

6. 6
Pre-Assessment Activities
All work is due Friday 11:59 PM CST. No late
work will be accepted. Not completing the
Premodule could result in being dropped from
the course.
These activities are designed with the goal of to
getting to know students’ strengths,
weaknesses, and the skills and knowledge they
posses before taking part in the instruction.
❑ Tools for understanding the Humanities
❑ Self-Check: Technology and LMS Skills
❑ Blog: Introduction
❑ Blog: Building Community
What’s Due
When?
Tools for Understanding the Humanities
All work is due the last day of the Module (Friday) 11:59 PM CST.
Class Contribution
The learning activities for this section include:
1. Lecture: Micro-Lecture, 3-2-1, Reflection,
Seminar, Thoughts-Questions-Epiphanies
2. Class Discussion: Think-Group-Share,
Concept Mapping, Five Whys/Ladder,
Round-Robin, Free-for-All, Debate, Socratic
Method, Agree/Disagree, Jigsaw, Carousel
3. Group Activity: Gamification, Exploratory,
Creative Expression, Problem-based,
Project-based, Inquiry-based
Participation.
Attendance and
Engagement.
In-class work, activities,
and participation are
worth ⅔ of your grade.
Points are awarded each
day for being on time,
being prepared, active
listening, full engagement,
sharing, and questioning.
To earn these points
avoid electronic devices
and cross-talk. Point
deductions apply.
Using Participation Forum
We use the Participation Forum to continue the
in-class activities, make-up missing points, and
earn extra credit:
1. Continue: The forum is a place where
questions, debates, and exchanges of ideas,
originally started in class, continue. This is
especially true if you did not have a chance
to share in class, or needed time to think
out your ideas.
2. Makeup: If your absence is excused (you
must have contacted the instructor before
class) you may use the Participation Forum
to earn back missing points.
3. Extra Credit: If you are looking to earn
extra points (or replacement points) you
can make contributions to the forum which
enhance your peer’s learning.
Leading the
Conversation.
Before the end of Week 13
you must start the class
session with one or more of
the following:
News Article Report (x2):
Share a new article (must
be vetted/scholarly) linked
to the Module’s topic. Do
this twice in the semester
for full credit.
Local Cultural Experience
Report (x1): Visit an event
of cultural significance
(theatres, concert halls,
orchestra halls, museums,
art galleries, fairs, festivals,
historical tours, historical
landmarks, historic homes,
heritage sites, memorials,
and universities). Share
images (including a selfie) in
class and report on your
experience.
Interview a Person (x1):
Meet a new person (this
must be someone you have
not known in any way prior
to HUM). Report on your
experience to the class.
HUM 101:
Professional Artist
(must make his or
her living in the arts)
HUM 102:
Global Citizen (a
person different from
you culturally by
religion, race,
language, or LGBTQ)
HUM 201:
Thought Leader (a
person changing the
world through ideas)
HUM 202:
Trend Setter (a social
media personality
with large quantities
of hits/likes/follows)