IDS 1337H - Honors Interdisciplinary Studies: Modern Cultures, Global Insights

Communications Department

Credit(s): 6
Contact Hours: 94
Effective Term Fall 2014 (490)

Requisites

(Prerequisite ENC 1101 and
Prerequisite Appropriate score on the college placement test) or
Prerequisite ENC 1101H or
Prerequisite IDS 1101H or
Prerequisite IDS 1111H or
Permission of the Program

Course Description

This survey course emphasizes the study of global cultures through the disciplines of history, literature, philosophy, art history, and religious studies. This Honors course will include collaborative learning opportunities and an emphasis on the analysis and synthesis of abstract questions from Modernity to the Present. (Note: Students who complete Honors Interdisciplinary Studies: Modern Cultures, Global Insights will receive credit toward the completion of the general education program for the following courses: LIT 2120H and HUM 2270H. This course emphasizes research and composition of the interdisciplinary research paper. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements outlined in the General Education Requirements.)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will evaluate the philosophical, historical, artistic, and literary contributions of Eastern and Western cultures by:
    1. outlining the chronology of key historical events, architecture, art and literature.
    2. analyzing and appraising recurring themes and their impact.
    3. exploring and examining selected works of philosophy, literature, and history.
  2. The student will acquire a mastery of skills necessary for an interdisciplinary approach by:
    1. examining how the economic and political changes affect the literature, philosophy, art, and religious studies of various historical periods.
    2. explaining how the transformation of values is reflected in the literature, philosophy, art, and religious studies of various historical periods.
    3. assessing the relationship between architecture, art, philosophy, literature, and music and the civic, religious, and social aspects of various historical periods
    4. developing consciousness in looking at, thinking about, and writing about the arts.
    5. forming judgments and articulating these judgments through writing and speaking about the relative merits of various works of art (painting, sculpture, literature, and architecture).
    6. locating connections between/among developments in history, literature, art, politics, etc.
    7. mastering new vocabulary as it is presented in class and in assigned readings.
    8. developing a sense of historical chronology within the culture and between cultures.
  3. The student will evaluate non-Western cultural ideas and arts in relation to Western culture and arts by:
    1. contrasting Western scientific history and progress with non-Western religious and artistic tradition.
    2. differentiating humanizing and dehumanizing forces in representative Western and non-Western cultures.
    3. constructing detailed imaginary dialogues between outstanding representative figures of East and West, the Eastern figure to be representative of the major cultures studied.
  4. The student will apply his/her understanding of Western and non-Western Philosophical concepts of self, society, nature and religion toward a broader more coherent understanding of self by:
    1. defining his/her personal values.
    2. comparing his/her values to those of non-Western cultures.
    3. assessing Eastern concepts of the individual's role and place in the universe.
    4. appraising the universal values of spiritual and aesthetic experiences.
    5. constructing or revising a personal world-view.
  5. The student will demonstrate the ability to access and synthesize primary and secondary sources appropriately, in combination with personal reaction, to write a research paper and essays of interpretation by:
    1. researching the historical, religious, philosophical, and/or artistic relationships among the various cultures using primary and secondary sources.
    2. analyzing the historical, religious, philosophical, and/or artistic relationships among the various cultures using expository writing techniques.
    3. synthesizing the historical, religious, philosophical, and/or artistic relationships among the various cultures using expository writing techniques
    4. writing papers which integrate the student's own words and ideas with those of primary and/or secondary sources.
    5. using correct forms for parenthetical references, footnotes/endnotes and for works cited or reference entries, according to the required form.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate a minimum of 70% mastery for each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course faculty.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 05/31/2013, BOT Approval: 06/17/2014, Effective Term: Fall 2014 (490)