PRESENTATION COLLEGE – ABERDEEN, SD

 

MODERN WESTERN CULTURE I  (HS333)
Three Semester Hours

Blackboard

FALL 2012

 

Welcoming people of all faiths, Presentation College challenges learners toward academic excellence and, in the Catholic tradition, the development of the whole person.

 

 

Instructor:      Dr. Brad Tennant, Associate Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours: C333 MWF 7:00-8:45 am, 11:00-11:50 am; TR 7:00-11:50 am CT
                        (or by appointment).

                        (605) 229-8577 or 1-800-437-6060 ext. 577 

E-mail:  brad.tennant@presentation.edu

 

 

Text:               Henry M. Sayre, The Humanities: Culture, Continuity and Change, Book 6: 1900 to the Present, 2/E                                     
ISBN-13:        9780205013326



Course Description:

            This interdisciplinary cultural studies course seeks to enhance students’ understanding of the complex historical and cultural forces that helped to shape western culture in the first half of the 20th century. In particular, it explores how the massive advances in the natural sciences both affected and were affected by other cultural components of society, such as the social sciences, literature, art, music, politics, and archaeology/anthropology.  Modern Western Culture I fulfills the requirements for a social science/human culture core elective.

 

 

Applicable Presentation College General Education Course Goal and Outcomes for HS333:

3.  Culture and Social Heritage -

Graduates will develop a critical understanding of human cultures and their creative achievements.

 

3a. Analyze historical events, ideas, and societies from a multi-cultural perspective.

3b. Understand interrelationships of individuals and societies in their historical/cultural contexts.

3c. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts and conversation common to a particular humanities discipline.

3d. Critically analyze creative ideas and works in the humanities from a contextual perspective.


3e. Demonstrate reading and critical analysis skills in the context of the humanities and social sciences.

 

Instructor Goals:

1)      To gain a broad understanding of the people and events that shaped the course of world history during the first half of the 20th century.

2)      To learn more about the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the development of world history and culture.

3)      To gain a better understanding of the complex diversity of human experiences included in the history of today’s world.

 

Instructional Techniques:

            This is designed entirely as a Blackboard course.  Assignments involve reading the text and additional readings as necessary.  Please feel free to ask questions or make comments.

 

ADA Statement:

            Presentation College is committed to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students and provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the College’s procedures.  If you are a student requiring accommodations or services, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 1-800-437-6060, Ext. 581.

 

 

Assessment and Grading:

            Students should also be familiar with Presentation College's policies regarding academic integrity.  These are found in the college catalog under "Academic Policies."

 

DISCUSSION BOARD – For each chapter, you will write 1-2 paragraphs on the Discussion Board relating to the chapter topic(s).  These should be thought-provoking essays that demonstrate an understanding of the material.  In addition to your own posting, each student should add to the discussion of any TWO other students in the course.  Again, these should be thoughtful additions to the topic(s) and not simply “I agree” statements.

 

CHAPTER PAPERS:  For each chapter, you will prepare a short paper related to the chapter topic(s).  The paper should be typed in 12-14 font Times New Roman, double-spaced, and 2-3 pages in length.  A complete bibliography consisting of at least three sources should also be included. 


MIDTERM AND FINAL PAPERS: 

            Your Midterm Paper should be typed in 12-14 font Times New Roman, double-spaced, and 5-6 pages in length.  The Midterm Paper should be a more in-depth study of a topic mentioned in Chapters 34-36.  If you choose, you may add to one of your Chapter Papers, or you may choose a completely different topic.  A complete bibliography consisting of at least five sources should also be included. 

            Your Final Paper should be typed in 12-14 font Times New Roman, double-spaced, and 5-6 pages in length.  The Final Paper should be a more in-depth study of a topic mentioned in Chapters 37-38.  If you choose, you may add to one of your Chapter Papers, or you may choose a completely different topic.  A complete bibliography consisting of at least five sources should also be included. 

 Student assessment will be based on the following:

            Ch. 34 posting                                                 10 points
            Ch. 34 comments to two other students         10 points

Ch. 34 Paper                                                   20 points
Ch. 35 posting                                                 10 points
Ch. 35 comments to two other students         10 points
Ch. 35 Paper                                                   20 points

            Ch. 36 posting                                                 10 points
            Ch. 36 comments to two other students         10 points
            Ch. 36 Paper                                                   20 points

            Midterm Paper                                                30 points

            Ch. 37 posting                                                 10 points
            Ch. 37 comments to two other students         10 points
            Ch. 37 Paper                                                   20 points

            Ch. 38 posting                                                 10 points
            Ch. 38 comments to two other students         10 points
            Ch. 38 Paper                                                   20 points

            Final Paper                                                      30 points

                        TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE                        260 POINTS

 

 

 

The following grading scale will be used based on the highest total number of points earned by any student in the class.

            96% and above           =          A

            90-95%                        =          A-       

            87-89%                        =          B+

            83-86%                        =          B

            80-82%                        =          B-

            70-79%                        =          C

            60-69%                        =          D

            59% and below           =          Failing

 

Rubric for assessing chapter postings and chapter comments:

·         Advanced (10 points): Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context with only minor mistakes.

·         Above Average (8 points) Student uses relevant and accurate information but 

      either has minor mistakes or lacks specifics.

·         Average (5 points) Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is

       limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.

·         Below Average (3 points) Student demonstrates a vague or poorly developed

      understanding of the topic with several significant mistakes.

·         Unsatisfactory (0 points) Student did not submit a posting or comments.

 


The following rubric will be used for assessing the chapter papers.

·         Advanced (20/18 points “A/A-”): Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context with only minor mistakes.

·         Above Average (16 points “B”): Student uses relevant and accurate information but 

      either has minor mistakes or lacks specifics.

·         Average (14 points “C”): Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is

       limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.

·         Below Average (12 points “D”): Student demonstrates a vague or poorly developed

      understanding of the topic with several significant mistakes.

·         Unsatisfactory (0 points “F”): Student did not submit a paper.

 

The following rubric will be used for assessing the midterm and final papers.

·         Advanced (30/28 points “A/A-”): Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context with only minor mistakes.

·         Above Average (26 points “B”): Student uses relevant and accurate information but  

      either has minor mistakes or lacks specifics.

·         Average (23 points “C”): Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is

       limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.

·         Below Average (20 points “D”): Student demonstrates a vague or poorly developed

      understanding of the topic with several significant mistakes.

·         Unsatisfactory (0 points “F”): Student did not submit a paper.

 

 

Attendance:

            As stated in the Presentation College catalog, "Students are expected to attend every class session and be on time.  Online students report their attendance by participating in their online course(s) as designated by the instructor.  If for any reason students must be absent from class, the responsibility of making up work rests entirely upon the students."  It is your responsibility as the student to stay on task with the assignments.

-          This is an upper level course.  It will require a great deal of reading and writing.

-          Postings/Papers are due by 12:00 noon (CT) of the scheduled date.  I will try to reply by the end of the day.  I will not be in a rush to read work that is submitted late.

-          Two points will be deducted after 12:00 pm (noon) each day an assignment is late.

-          You may work ahead if you so desire. 

-          I do not give “incompletes.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule:  Assignments are also posted on Blackboard. 

 

Tuesday, August 28                           -           Classes Begin

Thursday, September 6                       -           Ch. 34 posting plus comments to two other students

Thursday, September 13                     -           Ch. 34 Paper

Thursday, September 20                     -           Ch. 35 posting plus comments to two other students

Thursday, September 27                     -           Ch. 35 Paper

Thursday, October 4                           -           Ch. 36 posting plus comments to two other students

Thursday, October 11                         -           Ch. 36 Paper
Thursday, October 18                         -           Midterm Paper Due

Thursday, October 25                         -           Ch. 37 posting plus comments to two other students

Thursday, November 1                       -           Ch. 37 Paper

Thursday, November 8                       -           Ch. 38 posting plus comments to two other students

Thursday, November 15                     -           Ch. 38 Paper

Thursday, November 22                     -           Thanksgiving (No Assignment Due)

Thursday, November 29                     -           Final Paper Due