HUM 1021 - Introduction to the Humanities: Europe and the U.S.

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This course concentrates on the creative works from the areas of Europe and the United States. Topics covered include visual art, music, theatre, film, literature, mythology, philosophy and religion. This broad survey focuses on the value of the arts in understanding human experience and popular culture. The artistic contributions from other cultural areas are considered as points of contrast. Note: Attendance at an art gallery, play and/or concert outside of class time may be required.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts, 8 Global Perspective

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the humanities emphasizing an over all approach to living, rather than a chronological study of a series of discreet disciplines. The course is modular in nature, with each unit of study focusing on the contextual development of a major topic in the arts as an aspect of human existence. The first part of the course begins by relating the humanities to each individual, critical thinking skills, and human potential. The second part of the course explores the following major disciplines in the humanities (including both content and process): vi
2. impact of the humanities on the individual, human potential, critical thinking, aesthetics, popular culture, and cultural issues.
3. Survey of the major disciplines in the humanities with emphasis on the structural elements of each and content examples from western regions specifically Europe and the United States. Some non-western examples are used as points of contrast.
4. Summary of the major themes driving all of the humanities: morality, happiness, death attitudes, life affirmation, and freedom.

1. define the essential terminology from a variety of humanities areas.
2. identify perspectives, ideas, themes, and content of creative works in the humanities
3. demonstrate a knowledge of structural elements in a variety of humanities areas.
4. explain the significance of the artistic value and intellectual content of various creative works.
5. describe representative works in the humanities from cultures throughout the world (specifically Europe and the USA with non-western cultures, as points of contrast) by comparing forms, media, styles, and philosophies.
6. describe the relationship between representative works in the humanities and their creators, eras, and cultures.
7. identify the various relationships, connections and forces at work between the artist, the artists output, and society.
8. discuss the personal impact that a greater awareness of the humanities has on their own lives.
9. write evaluations (reviews) of performances and art works

06. 02. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.

06. 03. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
Competency 2 (7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 02. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

08. 04. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

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