Humanities 6: American Cultures
Santa Rosa Junior College
Mark C. Eades, Instructor

HUMANITIES 6: AMERICAN CULTURES

Santa Rosa Junior College / Fall 2006

Section 3709, Mon. 7-10 p.m., Rm PC 182 Section 3187, Wed. 7-10 p.m., Rm. 1509

Instructor: Mark Eades, SRJC Tel. Ext.: 9619, e-mail: meades@santarosa.edu

Office hours: Mon. & Wed. 6-7 p.m., Rm. PC 182 (M) & Rm. 1545 (W)

 

  COURSE DESCRIPTION / SYLLABUS

 

 

Introduction

As stated in the SRJC catalog, Humanities 6 is an interdisciplinary exploration of American identity and the invention of what it means to be an American. The course will explore the cultural contributions

of at least three racial or ethnic groups, focusing on the visual arts, music, drama, film, literature and philosophical/religious thought within the cultural context of the United States. Course materials may be presented either chronologically or thematically.

 

Required Texts

Crossing into America, edited by Louis Mendoza and S. Shankar. The New Press, 2003.

Homeland, by Dale Maharidge and Michael Williamson. Seven Stories Press, 2004.

 

Course Requirements and Grading Criteria

Requirements for the course include regular attendance and participation in class discussions, completion of assigned readings, mid-term exam, final exam, and completion of a semester research project on a topic of the student’s own choosing related to the material covered in the course. Excessive unexcused absences will result in a loss of grade points, as will non-participation in class discussions. Essay tests will be based on readings, lectures, and class discussions; and each test will include only that material covered since the preceding test. The semester research project, as stated above, will be on a topic of the student’s own choosing; and will include a topic proposal due with the mid-term exam. Beyond its role in grading for this course, the purpose of the semester project is to help prepare the student for meeting the research and writing requirements of further study at the four-year undergraduate level.

 

The mid-term exam, final exam, the semester project, and attendance and participation will each contribute equally to the student’s final grade as follows:

 

Mid-term exam: 25%

Final exam: 25%

Semester Project: 25%

Attendance and Participation: 25%

 

For those in need, optional projects for extra credit will be available.

 

 

 

 

Syllabus (subject to revision)

Week 1: Aug. 21/23

Introduction to the course.

Week 2: Aug. 28/30

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. xiii-27.

Week 3: Sept. 4/6 (Labor Day, Mon. 9/4: No class)

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 28-67.

Week 4: Sept. 11/13

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 68-96.

Week 5: Sept. 18/20

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 97-129.

Week 6: Sept. 25/27

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 130-177.

Week 7: Oct. 2/4

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 178-219.

Week 8: Oct. 9/11

Review for Mid-Term Exam

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 220-254.

Week 9: Oct. 16/18

            Mid-term Exam & Semester Project Proposal

Week 10: Oct. 23/25

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 256-294.

Week 11: Oct. 30/Nov. 1

Readings: Crossing into America, pp. 295-342.

Week 12: Nov. 6/8

Readings: Conclude Crossing into America; introduce Homeland.

Week 13: Nov. 13/15

Readings: Homeland, Prelude & Book One.

Week 14: Nov. 20/22

Readings: Homeland, Book Two.

Week 15: Nov. 27/29

Readings: Homeland, Book Three.

Week 16: Dec. 4/6

Readings: Homeland, Book Four.

Week 17: Dec. 11/13

Review for Final Exam

Readings:

Week 18: Dec. 18/20

Final exam.

Semester projects due.



[back to TEACHING] [Next Course: Humanities 108: The Roots of Hell]
Mark C. Eades
mce@mceades.com