Course Number: Course Name, Semester Date

Instructor: Dr. Mary Wheeling

Office Location: Virtual; see link on Campus Web
Office Hours: MW 1-3pm; TTh 2-4pm; and by appointment through email
Phone: 302-225-6361 (leave voice mail)
E-mail: wheeling@gbc.edu
Contact Hours: 42
Credits: 3

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

Course Description:
Humanities II: Roots of the Modern World (HUM 104) explores humankind’s cultural and
intellectual roots through an integrated study of the humanities. It traces the secular and
scientific thought patterns of contemporary society by discovering and developing these ideas
from the Renaissance through the twenty-first century. The course develops the philosophical,
religious, historical, literary, and aesthetic themes of the period through selected readings,
films, slides, and musical selections.

Prerequisite:
None

Course Materials:
The textbook (see above), as well as handouts, Internet resources, and audio-visual materials
presented in class and available on the Campus Web class site.

Learning Objectives/Goals:
Upon completion of Humanities II, students will be able to

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 1. Identify the major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and artistic trends of the
Western tradition from the Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400) through the 20th century.
2. Explain and connect the major historical, philosophical, religious, literary, and artistic
trends of the Western tradition from the Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400) through the 20 th
century.
3. Trace the development of present-day Western political, economic, social, and cultural
institutions from 1400 through the 20st century.

Topics Covered:
1. The Italian Renaissance
2. The Northern Renaissance; the Protestant Reformation
3. The Counter-Reformation; the Baroque
4. The Age of Reason
5. The Age of Revolution
6. The Working Class and the Bourgeoisie
7. The Modernist World
8. Decades of Change; Postmodernism

Course Format:
HUM 104 is taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and individual and small-
group learning activities that include writing assignments and tests. Students will complete
course requirements meant to foster fulfillment of the Learning Objectives (see above). Most
course content will be transmitted face-to-face and on paper during class, so consistent
attendance is required. The Course Schedule (following) shows reading assignments and
important activity/assessment dates:

Course Schedule:
Depending on our needs, we may revise the schedule slightly.
NOTE: lowest in-class activity score will be dropped. Both test scores will be counted.

Week 1
Wednesday, 1/20
INTRO TO HUMANITIES II
ACTIVITY

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Week 2
Monday, 1/25
Ch 7: Renaissance (177-187, 189-197)
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 1/27
Ch 8: Reform (217-222, 225-30)
ACTIVITY

Week 3
Monday, 2/1
Ch 9: Encounter (243-260)
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 2/3
TEST #1

Week 4
Monday, 2/8
Ch 10: Baroque (263-272, 279-83, 292-93)
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 2/10
Ch 11: Enlightenment (297-301, 303-07, 318-21)
ACTIVITY

Week 5
Monday, 2/15
Ch 12: Romanticism (329-333, 338-49, 351-2)
ACTIVITY

Wednesday, 2/17
Ch 13: Materialism (359-63, 368-71)
ACTIVITY

Week 6
Monday, 2/22
Ch 14: Modernism (387-401, 404-06, 416-17)
ACTIVITY

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 Wednesday, 2/24
Ch 15: Globalism (421-435)
ACTIVITY

Week 7
Monday, 3/1
Make-Up and Wrap-Up Activities

Wednesday, 3/3
TEST #2

Course Policies
Attendance
Attendance is required.

Late Assignments & Make-Up Work

Missed assignments and/or assessments, except in the case of dire emergency, cannot be
made up after the absence occurs, and no late assignments will be accepted.
The student’s lowest in-class activity or quiz will be dropped. Note that all test grades will be
counted.
If you know in advance you will be absent for a scheduled event, you should arrange to submit
the work in advance of the absence. Also, during the next-to-last class meeting, you will have
an opportunity to make up one low-scoring in-class or homework activity or quiz.

Course Requirements
“Activities” (in-class activities, fact quizzes, and uploads)
Students will complete numerous graded activities in and outside of class, so should be
prepared for every class meeting. Activities missed due to absence or tardiness cannot
be made up. The student’s lowest activity grade (among in-class activities, fact quizzes,
and uploads) will be dropped. Each activity is worth 10-25 points, and allowing for one
dropped score, all Activities together will account for 30% of the HUM 104 course grade.
“Tests”
Students will complete 2 graded tests throughout the term to assess their understanding
of and critical thinking about class readings, lectures, handouts, and discussion content.
Tests missed due to unforeseen absence or tardiness cannot be made up except in the
case of a dire emergency. (See sections above on attendance and make-up work.) If a

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 student knows of an absence in advance, s/he must take the test before the absence
occurs. Each test is worth 100 points and accounts for a possible 30% of the total
course grade; together they count for 60% of the HUM 104 course grade.
“Wrap-Up Activity”
The next-to-last day of class, students will engage in a required Wrap-Up activity. This
score is not eligible to be dropped and counts for 10% of the HUM 104 course grade.

Grading Policy
Grades will be weighted as follows:
Activities will be averaged (with lowest score dropped) to count as 30% of the course grade.
Tests (2) will be averaged to count as 60% of the course grade.
Wrap-Up Activity will count 10% of the course grade.
I follow GBC’s undergraduate grading scale for issuing final letter grades. The grading scale is
detailed in the 2019-2020 Catalog’s Grading System section of Undergraduate Academic
Policies.

Getting Extra Help

You are encouraged to email or see me in person with any questions about the course or our
classroom space (for ex., need to sit closer to the board). I’m available on a drop-in basis
during my office hours (see page 1 of syllabus) or at other times by appointment. Please email
ahead to schedule.
If you have a physical, learning, or other disability that might hinder your access to or
performance in the class, please visit your Advisor whose office is located on the first floor of
the Fulmer Center.
At the Hirons Library and Learning Center’s Academic Resource Center (ARC), you can
schedule tutoring, reviews, or proctored tests. For location, hours, appointment procedure,
visit the ARC website (https://www.gbc.edu/academics/academic-resources/tutoring-
support.html). Phone the ARC at 302-225-6229 or email arc@gbc.edu.

Classroom Behavior Expectations

We will work together often this session. Mutually beneficial classroom behaviors include:
1. Keeping electronic devices on silent and out of sight during class to show that the
community merits our full attention and respect.

2. Being on time at the beginning of class and after break.

3. The good ol’ Golden Rule. Look it up on Wikipedia!

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

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.

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 site.
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.
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 notes or
summaries that substantially reflect my lectures or materials. 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 to ensure you aren’t in violation.
I require all work submitted to be produced originally for this course. Recycling old
assignments or simultaneously submitting the same work to HUM 104 and another class
defeats the purpose of our unique learning process and gives you unfair academic advantage.

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 Financial Aid/Advisement 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.

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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
(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 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.

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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