HUM 103 F2F 01: Humanities I, Fall II, 2021

Instructor: Dr. Mary Wheeling

Office Location: Top floor of Fulmer Annex, in office suite across from water fountain
Office Hours: Email me (wheeling@gbc.edu) to schedule a time to zoom or meet in person
between 9 and 11am, Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Phone: 302-225-6361
E-mail: wheeling@gbc.edu
I check email at least once every 24 hours unless a holiday or weekend
Contact Hours: 42
Credits: 3

Textbooks:
Fiero, Gloria K. Landmarks in Humanities. 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2021.

Course Description:
Humanities I: Our Cultural Heritage (HUM 103) explores the cultural and intellectual roots of
Western society through an integrated study of the humanities. As defined by the course,
humanities encompasses humankind's search for meaning and expression-- the journey to
know and understand the world. Students will explore this definition on the historical,
philosophical, literary, and aesthetic levels. HUM 103 covers intellectual and artistic
movements chronologically, from prehistory through the late Middle Ages. 3 credit hours.

Prerequisite:
none

Course Materials:
The textbook, handouts, Internet resources, and audio-visual materials presented in class.

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Learning Objectives/Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
1. Demonstrate understanding of major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and
artistic trends of the Western tradition from prehistory through the late Middle Ages.
2. Situate foundations of present-day political, economic, social, and cultural institutions
in the period from prehistory through the late Middle Ages, particularly in the Greek and
Roman eras.
3. Identify origins and growth of the three major monotheistic, Abrahamic religions,
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Topics Covered:
1. Prehistory and Near Eastern & Egyptian Civilizations 3.8
2. Aegean Civilizations 3.8
3. Classical Greek Civilization 3.8
4. Hellenistic Civilization 3.8
5. Classical Rome 3.8
6. Judaism and the Rise of Christianity 3.8
7. Roman Imperial Civilization & Christianity 3.8
8. The Heirs to the Roman Empire: Byzantium & the West in the Early Middle Ages 3.8
9. The World of Islam 3.8
10. The High Middle Ages 3.8
11. The Late Middle Ages & Early Renaissance 3.8
Total Contact Hours 42.00

Course Format:
HUM 103 will meet face-to-face, 100% live and in-person, at 8:30am every Monday and
Wednesday on the course schedule. Meetings will not be recorded, Zoomed, or remote unless
in case of emergency or otherwise announced.
Attendance is expected. HUM 103 is taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and
individual and small-group learning activities, some graded. Students will complete course
requirements meant to foster fulfillment of the Learning Objectives above. Instructions and
course content will be transmitted during our class meetings, so come prepared with your
textbook, a pen or pencil and paper, a smart phone or other internet device in case we do a
digital poll or quiz, and some way to take notes on the class content.

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General Course Schedule:
Depending on our needs, we may revise this schedule. Specific reading assignments,
documents, etc., will be found within the Coursework page of Campus Web.

Week 1:

Monday, 10/11
Introduction to HUM 103 and Chapter 1: The First Civilizations
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 10/13
Chapter 1, cont.
ACTIVITY

Week 2:

Monday, 10/18
Chapter 2: The Greek Legacy
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 10/20
Chapter 2, cont.
ACTIVITY

Week 3:

Monday, 10/25
Chapter 3: Rome and Empire
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 10/27
Chapter 4: World Religions
ACTIVITY

Week 4:

Monday, 11/1
Chapter 4, cont.

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 ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 11/3
TEST #1 (15% of total grade)

Week 5:

Monday, 11/8
Chapter 5: Early Middle Ages
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 11/10
Chapter 5, cont.
ACTIVITY

Week 6:

Monday, 11/15
Chapter 6: High and Late Middle Ages
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 11/17
Chapter 6, cont.
Course Discussion & Reflection Activity (10% of total grade)
MAKE-UP/SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITY

Week 7:

Monday, 11/22
TEST #2 (15% of total grade)

Course Policies
Attendance
Attendance is expected and will be noted. If you know in advance that you must miss classes
for an unavoidable circumstance, please notify your academic advisor and me in advance. If

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the absence is pre-scheduled, it is your responsibility to submit your work/take your test
BEFORE the absence.

Late Assignments and Make-Up Tests

Missed activities (worth, as a whole, 60% of your total grade) or tests (worth 15% each),
except in the case of emergency, can’t be made up after the absence occurs, and no late
activities or tests will be accepted. However, a missing or low activity (not test) grade can be
made up one time only, “no questions asked,” by completing the make-up activity on the last
day of class. Your academic advisor will determine whether an emergency or unavoidable
absence is excused, in which case the student might receive permission to make up a test.

Course Requirements
“Activities” consist of in-class activities, fact quizzes, and short reflection papers, for ex.
Students will complete numerous graded activities, so should be prepared at every
class meeting for groupwork, discussions, quizzes, impromptu writing assignments, etc.
Activities missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up, due to the nature of
the activity design. Each Activity is part of a total 60% of the HUM 103 course grade.
“Tests”
Students will complete two graded tests during the term to gauge their understanding of
and critical thinking about class readings, lectures, handouts, and discussion content.
Tests missed due to absence or tardiness cannot be made up except in the case of a
dire emergency. (See sections above on attendance and make-up work.) Each Test is
worth 100 points and accounts for a possible 15% of the total course grade; together
they count for 30% of the HUM 103 course grade.
“End-of-Session Discussion and Reflection”
On the next-to-last day of class, students will engage in a Discussion and Reflection
activity where they process and give feedback on their understanding of the course, the
methods through which it was taught, and the larger context of the Humanities in current
society. This discussion and writing assignment cannot be made-up or replaced and
counts for 10% of the HUM 103 course grade.

Grading Policy
Grades will be weighted as follows:
Activities will be averaged to count as 60% of the course grade.
Tests #1 and #2 will together count as 30% of the course grade.
End-of-Session Discussion and Reflection will count 10% of the course grade.

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I follow GBC’s undergraduate grading scale for issuing final letter grades. Select "Grading
System" at http://catalog.gbc.edu/content.php?catoid=11&navoid=523#grading-system to see
the scale.

Getting Extra Help

You are encouraged to email or see me during my Zoom virtual student-professor office hours
(see p. 1 of syllabus for schedule) with any questions about the course or college (or life) in
general. If you can’t make my advertised days/hours, email for an appointment at another time.
I am flexible!
If you have a physical, learning, or other disability that might hinder your access to or
performance in the class, please contact your Academic Advisor, whose office is located on
the first floor of the Fulmer Center. If you are off campus, scroll down on this page to find your
advisor's name and contact information: https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-
resources/advising-registrar/.
Students can access virtual academic tutoring and writing help through TutorMe, a service
GBC provides for its community. You can find the link on the left-hand list when you click the
Library & Learning Center area of Campus Web.

Classroom Expectations
We have the opportunity to do some fascinating work together this session. HUM 103 can be
an enriching and enjoyable experience when we
1. Keep electronic devices silent and out of site unless using them specifically for our class
activities;
2. Arrive a few minutes ahead and stay until class is done;
3. Limit your communication with others to assigned discussion or other class-related
activities.

The use of technology—including cell phones, tablets, laptops, and earbuds—is prohibited
unless authorized by your instructor.

Academic Integrity
All courses taught at Goldey-Beacom College are governed by the GBC Academic Honor
Code. A full description of the Honor Code and related procedures is available on the web at
Goldey-Beacom College Academic Honor Code
(http://catalog.gbc.edu/content.php?catoid=22&navoid=1425#academic-honor-code).
Remember that ignorance of the proper use of sources is no excuse for a violation. Any
alleged academic dishonesty in this class will be addressed according to official procedures. It
is the professor’s prerogative to determine the appropriate penalty for academic offenses.

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Penalties for violations of the Honor Code in my class can range from a zero on the work in
question to an F for the entire course.
All my lectures and course materials are copyrighted, including student-written or -recorded
lectures, notes, or summaries that substantially reflect my content. These materials are made
available only for personal use by students, and may not be distributed or reproduced for
commercial purposes without my express written consent. Students ARE able to share notes
or materials with a current classmate on an individual basis for personal use. Violation of my
copyright may result in course sanctions and violate the Code of Academic Integrity. Read
GBC’s policy on intellectual property here: https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-
resources/library-technology-services/copyright.html.
I require all work submitted to be produced originally for this course. Recycling old
assignments or simultaneously submitting the same work to HUM 103 and another class
defeats the purpose of our unique learning process and gives you unfair academic advantage.

Student Code of Conduct

Students are expected to be aware of and comply with the Student Code of Conduct and
Rules of Decorum found in the Student Handbook.

College Policies & Resources

Academic Honor Code

Please familiarize yourself with the Goldey-Beacom College Academic Honor Code
(http://catalog.gbc.edu/content.php?catoid=23&navoid=1473#academic-honor-code). All
courses are governed by this policy.

Student Accommodations
The Advisors in the Advising Office serve as the first point of contact for students requesting
reasonable accommodations at GBC. For more information, please visit your Advisor whose
office is located on the first floor of the Fulmer Center.

Hirons Library & Learning Center

The Hirons Library and Learning Center (HLLC), located in the Jones Center, contains a
variety resources to support your research throughout your time at Goldey-Beacom College.
Library
• Search for information to help you complete your next class assignment using our
robust discover tool (https://campusweb.gbc.edu/ICS/Library__Learning_Center/).
• Computers, laptops, printers, and a scanner are available for you to use to complete
assignments as well. Visit the Library and Technology Services website

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 (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/library-technology-services/) for
details regarding computing options and hours of operation within the HLLC
ARC
• Students are encouraged to access free online academic tutoring and writing assistance
through TutorMe, a service provided for all GBC students, faculty and staff. TutorMe is
accessible 24/7 through the tab in Campus Web labeled “Library & Learning Center.”
TutorMe can be accessed from here
https://campusweb.gbc.edu/ICS/Library__Learning_Center/.

Mental Health and Well Being

Goldey Beacom-College affords its students on-campus opportunities to engage in individual,
group, and drop-in counseling along with workshops and fireside chats on relevant mental
health and awareness topics. Please reach out to Megan Blackwell, Director of Counseling, at
blackwellm@gbc.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment!
Goldey-Beacom offers help in the form of the Health Advocate Student Assistance Program
(SAP), a confidential service that can help you manage a crisis or find the support you need to
deal with personal or psychological challenges. Keep the following services’ contact
information handy in the event that you or a peer is in need of assistance. Asking for help is a
smart, safe, and courageous thing to do.

Director of Counseling
Megan Blackwell, LPC, CAADC, NCC blackwellm@gbc.edu
103 Jackson Hall
Health Advocate Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Mental health support: 1-855-384-1800
Crisis Numbers:
Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, statewide: 1-800-652-2929
Crisis TEXT Line: Text DE to 741741
Crisis Line for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-488-7386
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Domestic Violence Hotline (New Castle County, DE): 1-302-762-6110
Rape Crisis Line through ContactLifeline DE: 1-302-761-9100

This information, and more, is available on Campus Web in the Campus Life Section, at the
following link:
https://campusweb.gbc.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Counseling_Services__Resources.jnz

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