COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will investigate the main currents of Western thought and culture from the ancient world to the seventeenth century. While addressing social and political themes, we will more carefully consider responses to these issues by leaders in intellectual and cultural life. Using literary, philosophical and political texts, as well as visual arts and music, we will study the major intellectual trends of the Western tradition and attempt to determine their influence on society.

READING: To provide a basis for class discussion, the following books are required reading.

Robert Lamm & Neal Cross, The Humanities in Western Culture, Volumes I and 2

Assignments should be read before coming to each session. Through the semester, sources in the form of handouts may be added to this list.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION: Attendance at all sessions and participation in discussions are required and will be graded.

DISCUSSIONS: This course will consist of tri-weekly discussion sessions. After introductions to each section of the course, I will ask two or three of you to present primary sources for discussion. You should explain how they (or some aspect of them) represent basic themes of the day’s topic. Though required to consider all of them, you may present any of the sources listed under your assigned thematic heading. These mini-presentations will be prearranged during the first two sessions of the semester. Performance on these introductions will constitute part of your class participation grade.

Those not introducing materials are still responsible for reading, looking at, or listening to them. You are always expected to contribute to discussion, in response to the initial statements. General involvement in class discussions will also determine your class participation grade.

WRITING: The primary activity involved in the study of History is expository writing. The discipline of History is therefore an excellent field for developing research and writing skills. This course will pay serious attention to the organization and composition of critical essays. All essays – whether for presentations (given orally) or written exams and term projects – must be structured thematically, with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions according to the Outline Guidelines.

Proper style and good grammar are also essential elements of expository writing – not to mention academic and professional success. I suggest that you also purchase a college dictionary, a thesaurus, and an English style handbook. If you have questions about formatting, see guides by Kate Turabian on sale at any bookstore.

EXAMINATIONS: There will be a mid-term and a final examination. The examinations will consist of identification and essay sections.

TERM PROJECT: You will write a five-page typed, double-spaced paper, with foot- or end-notes. In it you must analyze some aspect of one of the movements covered in the course. Your paper must be based on at least one primary source represented in our reading (or elsewhere, in consultation with me) and the assigned reading for that section of the course.

In addition to written works, you may also utilize examples of painting, sculpture, architecture, or music as your primary sources. Instead of a play or poem, for instance, you might choose a painting from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, a composition from your CD or record collection, an architectural structure, etc. I require only that the source be related to the broader themes and subjects of the course.

Your paper should demonstrate how your primary source communicates or signifies the major themes of its cultural/historical context.

You are to complete this project in four stages:

1. By class time Wednesday, September 26, you must select your context and primary source. Please submit a brief, written committment to your topic.

2. On Wednesday, October 17, you will turn in a one-page statement of purpose (typed). It should summarize of the subject matter of your work, review the primary source you are studying, announce the general aims of your study, and list the sources you will use (in bibliographical format).

3. On Wednesday, October 31, you will turn in a three-page thematic outline of your paper (typed). This must be more than a “topical” outline. It should include a fully developed thesis statement and subsequent entries should be in the form of full sentences. See the Outline Guidelines.

4. At the beginning of class on Wednesday, November 28, the finished paper (typed) is due without fail.

QUIZZES: Short, unannounced quizzes may be given. Results will be computed into your class participation grade.

OFFICE HOURS: I will be available in my office, Crown Center 513, MWF 10:30-11:15 and W 5:30-6:00. My telephone number is 773-508-2234. My email address is dennis@luc.edu.

If none of these hours are suitable, speak to me to arrange an appointment.

I encourage you to consult me about any questions or problems you have regarding the course or its assignments. That’s what these office hours are for!

GRADING POLICY:

Grades will be determined according to the following scheme:

GRADE SCALE:

Substantial penalties (one half of a grade per day) will accrue on late selections, statements of purpose, outlines and papers—as well as lack of class participation.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated: be sure to carefully note all sources of information, both primary and secondary.

DISCUSSION, READING, LOOKING, AND LISTENING SCHEDULE

We will follow this schedule as closely as possible; but in order to cover this material thoroughly, some flexibility is necessary. We will maintain the order of discussion outlined here, so pay attention to where we are in the sequence, regardless of the specified date.
If you have any questions about this, be sure to ask me!