CURRENT SYLLABUS
World Cultures 120 -2B
The Emergence of the Modern World
INSTRUCTOR
John
R. Lakey, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Office: 122F Hyde Hall (Open Hours
Posted on Website)
Website: http://faculty.evansville.edu/jl3/vita/vita.htm
Telephone: 479-2531 or 479-2520 (Home: 858-9378)
Email: lakey@evansville.edu
COMMON COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
Course Goals:
World Cultures 120 examines historical and
cultural movements and events from the Renaissance through the First World
War. Major themes will include
challenges to political, religious and cultural authority, the emergence of
modern science, and the effects of humankind’s increasing ability to wage war. World Cultures 110
and 120 together form the cornerstone of general education at the University of
Evansville, and
emphasize the development of critical reading skills, critical
thinking skills, and critical writing skills.
The courses are organized on the basis of periodic
central lectures and small-group seminars.
The common lectures and reading list serve as the source of context,
coherence, and commonality for students and faculty. Small-group seminars encourage focused
discussions and rigorous writing under the direction of a faculty mentor.
Required Texts:
Luther,
Christian Liberty
Thomas
More, Utopia
Galileo
Galilei, “The Starry Messenger” and “Letter to the
Grand Duchess Christina,” including introductions, in Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo, ed. Drake
Voltaire,
Candide
Marx
& Engels, The Communist Manifesto
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, The Answer/La Respuesta
Ernest
Hemingway, The
Nick Adams Stories
Either - Thomas Paine, Common Sense or John
Locke, "A Letter Concerning
Toleration"
Charles
Darwin, Selected readings, to be provided
Optional readings: Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
(Professors are free to use optional texts of
their choosing on the in-class writing or optional reading days. Brenda Goodin will take care of ordering the
required texts; however, any optional texts are to be ordered by the professor
through the UE bookstore.
Exams:
Midterm
Final Exam
Papers: As a writing-intensive course, each WC120
section must have a minimum of 20 pages of written work that will be evaluated
by the professor. At least ten pages of
this must have the opportunity for revision
Research Paper: An important feature of the writing
expectations in World Cultures 120 is the required research paper of 5-10
pages. In this exercise students will be
introduced in the development of a coherent research proposal, to basic
research practices, and methodology for citation.
Grades will be
determined on the basis of the following considerations:
·
Written
Assignments 50%
·
Exams
(Midterm and final, 15% each) 30%
·
Class
Participation and Attendance at Required Events 20%
THIS SECTION’S FORMAT:
To promote critical thinking and oral discussion skills, this course uses a
quasi-seminar format. In seminars, students are supposed to do
most of the “teaching” by presenting and discussing the assigned readings, and the professor is supposed to “moderate” the
presentations and discussions. To promote effective writing skills, this
course reviews grammatical construction skills and requires frequent written
assignments. To promote broader perspectives, this course will deal with
classical literature and those issues thought important for cultural
development.
Some classes will
require everyone to read the material and check related internet resources
beforehand, but a few students may be specifically assigned to prepare an
outline of a part of the reading, offer their reactions to that material,
answer questions about the text, and lead any spontaneous discussion. Several
things may follow: (a) You may be quizzed to
assess careful reading and comprehension of the assigned reading. (b) You may
be asked to write a short essay or “study note” that deals with an issue
presented by the reading. (c) You may be divided into smaller
groups to discuss a specific question, prepare a group-authored “study note,”
and read this to the group.
To encourage
effective writing, this course will review principles of composition and
style. The Instructor will present quick summaries of chapters in Hodges’
Harbrace Handbook and other writing guides. On “in-class writing” days,
there will be more time devoted to in-class writing exercises or “study notes,”
and these may be peer reviewed by classmates, partners and teams.
There will be two
examination classes, the midterm and the final, that will assess your reading
of the assignments, your appreciation of the material, and your ability to
write effectively under pressure. Expect essay questions (study-note
length answers).
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To encourage and develop:
(1) Reading Skills
(2) Thinking Skills
(3) Discussion Skills
(4) Writing Skills
(5) Healthy
Perspectives
MATERIALS:
Required Materials for this
Section:
General:
Luther,
Christian
Liberty
Thomas
More, Utopia
Galileo
Galilei, “The
Starry Messenger” and “Letter to the
Grand Duchess Christina,” including introductions, in Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo, ed. Drake
Voltaire,
Candide
Marx
& Engels, The Communist Manifesto
Sor Juana Inés de la
Cruz, La Respuesta [The Answer]
Ernest
Hemingway, The Nick Adams Stories
Either
- Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Charles
Darwin, Selected readings to be provided
[Most of
these texts are available on the internet]
Section Specific:
Hodges’
Harbrace Handbook (Latest Edition)
A good hardback Dictionary: Suggest http://www.amazon.com/Merriam-Websters-Collegiate-Dictionary-Binding-Jacket/dp/0877798087/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199905433&sr=1-2
[do not rely on internet dictionaries].
William Strunk & E.B. White, Elements of Style:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0205313426/ref=ase_selecttarget1-20/104-2248320-4958341?v=glance&s=books [worth the investment if you want to write like someone with a
college education].
GRADE ASSESSMENT:
>EXAMINATIONS:
30%.
A Midterm Examination and a Final Examination will require
standard five-paragraph essays in response to one of three questions or prompts. They will be scored for (1) adequate
production [minimum 750 words], (2) responsiveness to the questions, (3)
clarity and precision of your thesis, (4) logical development and support for
your argument, (5) the organization of coherence of your ideas, (6) the correct
use of grammar, mechanics, and style. The
exams are equally weighted.
>MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER: 25%. This
course requires an original research
paper of 5-7 pages (minimum 3000 words) with a file copy uploaded to TurnItIn.com.
You
must identify a personally relevant topic [(1) Submit a Proposal worth 1%],
conduct a primary literature search, critically read this material, outline a
review [(2) Submit an Draft worth 9%], write the paper, correctly citing
references, evaluating your finding, and providing appropriate conclusions that
are supported by the facts [(3) Submit the Paper to the Instructor (and a File
Copy to TurnItIn.com) worth 15%].
The Instructor’s copy should be double-spaced and stapled with only a
cover page, and you must select and specify your citation format (MLA, APA, or
other) as a footnote. Following grading,
some may be permitted the option to revise their paper to raise its grade (one
letter-grade maximum).
You may write about anything you believe
important or personally meaningful, but you must conduct a search of the primary literature (mostly journal
articles), read and understand this material (learn more about it), and formally
review your findings in a well-constructed paper. This effort
will be scored for (1) content, (2) logic, and (3) composition. This paper must
be an original
production for this course, preferably about a new topic that you want
to learn about.
>STUDY NOTES: 25%. There will be a
number of short one-page papers called “study notes” (minimum 250 words).
These will deal with varying topics of interest. Some will be assigned to
be completed outside of class (typed and, if a "Formal Study
Note," submitted to TurnItIn.com) and some will be assigned to be
completed during the class period (hand-written and you will be graded for
legible writing). These papers provide a
brief opportunity to organize your thoughts about certain issues and recent
events.
All group lectures require a study note
(always due at our next class). Other
study notes will often require retrieving outside information (a short
article): you are to provide a brief
summary of the material (show that you have read it) and your considered
reaction (say something insightful about it). Those notes assigned
outside of class will be typewritten and printed on a single page (optional
line spacing). Notes are always due at a specific class, and late
submissions are not accepted (they are scored as “missing data” as long
as you have complete 80% of the study notes—they are scored as zeros when you
have fewer). Notes are scored for appreciation, insight, and
effective composition. Each study note is worth 10 points.
>PARTICIPATION AND
ATTENDANCE: 20%. Class
Participation (10%): On-time class attendance (50 points), positive
attitude (50 points), and participation in class discussions (50 points). Class
preparation (10%):
Multiple-choice quizzes over the current class reading assignment (150
points). May be announced or unannounced (“pop quizzes”).
>GRADE CRITERIA: Course grades are
assigned on a point-percentage system as previously detailed. The grading
criteria are:
94% A 87% B+ 80% B- 74% C 67% D+
90% A- 84% B 77% C+ 70% C- 60% D
>ASSIGNMENT GRADE-TO-PERCENTAGE CONVERSIONS:
A+ 98.5% A 95.0% A- 91.5%
B+ 88.5% B 85.0% B- 81.5%
C+ 78.5% C 75.0% C- 71.5%
D+ 68.5% D 65.0% D- 61.5% F+ 55.0% F 00.0%
>STUDY NOTE GRADES:
The following three grades are final and do NOT require Revision and Resubmission:
CHECK+ = 11 (110%)
CHECK = 10 (100%)
CHECK- = 09 (90%)
The following two grades permit your Revision and Resubmission of your Study Note to the Instructor (attach the old Study Note) and TurnItIn.com:
RR+++ = 07 (70%) or 11 (110%) with receipt of the revisions within one week after return
RR++ = 06 (60%) or 10 (100%) with receipt of the revisions within one week after return
RR+ = 05 (50%) or 09 (90%) with receipt of the revisions within one week after return
RR = 04 (40%) or 08 (80%) with receipt of the revisions within one week after return
The next grade also requires your visit to the Writing Center for help with the paper:
RR- = 03 (30%) or 07 (70%) with receipt of the revision and Writing Center report within one week after return
The following grades require no action (Revision and Resubmission is not an option):
F+ = 02 (20%)
F = 00 (0%)
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES:
>ACADEMIC HONOR CODE: The University of
Evansville requires your support for the following statement: "I understand that any work I submit for course credit
will imply that I have adhered to the Academic Honor Code: I will neither
give nor receive unauthorized aid nor will I tolerate an environment which
condones the use of unauthorized aid." Please report any
problem to the Instructor.
>DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: It is the policy of the
>
AUTHORIZED AID FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Acknowledge as a footnote all
aid and outside assistance you obtain in preparing written assignments. You
may freely obtain help from the
>PLAGIARISM: Any copied
words
in your paper must be in quotation marks (or offset if 25
or more words) with citation of their specific source (author,
publication and page or website hyperlink).
Any paraphrased ideas in your paper should be attributed
to their author (at least by name, usually citing the publication
or website hyperlink). Plagiarism is a violation of either
of these two basic rules. Presenting someone else’s work as your own
is never “authorized,” and it is always violates our Academic Honor Code.
>CITATION
SYSTEM: Failure
to correctly cite and properly reference others’ work can be construed as
plagiarism. In all papers, you
are required to specify and use a citation-reference system appropriate for
your academic major. Usually, this requires your adherence to one of
four systems: APA (social sciences), CBE (natural sciences), Chicago
(history), and MLA (humanities). Guides to the APA and MLA systems are
found in Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, Chapter 38. Guides to all four
systems, including CBE and Chicago, are available in >RECOMMENDED
HYPERLINK REFERENCES on the main webpage. You will indicate
the system you have elected as a footnote to the title of your major papers,
and you will be graded on your correct use of that system.
>QUOTATION
LIMITATIONS:
In
this course, quoted material may not exceed five percent (5%) of the word
count of any paper.
>TURNITIN:
All
formal papers must be submitted both to the instructor and to http://www.TurnItIn.com/: A paper printout
must be provided the instructor for annotated comments and grading. The
file used for the printout must be provided to turnitin.com:
you must go to this website, register for the course, and upload the file
(detailed instructions are available at the website – our course’s TurnItIn ID#
and password are posted in Blackboard’s
“Course Information”). All written assignments are subject to
“document source analysis” for correspondence to papers collected in several
massive archival databases and to papers currently available on the
internet. Other written assignments and examinations may be scanned
(Optical Character Recognition) and independently submitted for analysis, and
key sentences may be entered into a good search engine to identify possible
internet origins. Papers that are not correctly submitted to turnitin.com
are scored as missing assignments.
>REVISIONS: Some papers
will be returned with RR grades that permits Revision and Resubmission for a
higher grade. This option is time limited, and
revisions are accepted only for a week following return of the paper. Some
Revisions and Resubmissions you visit to our
>BLACKBOARD:
This
course will use Blackboard at http://acebb.evansville.edu/.
Blackboard’s “Course Information” links to our class’s webpage syllabus and
calendar, and you will refer to this “master copy” for new due-dates, schedule
changes, and course requirement modifications. Major changes in the
syllabus will be alerted by email. “Study notes” will be assigned by Blackboard
emails. You must maintain you university email account and check it
often. If you have problems accessing Blackboard or
maintaining your email account, please contact the OTS Help Desk (helpdesk@evansville.edu
or 479-2077) for assistance.
>OFFICE HOURS: Walk-In Hours
will be posted on the Instructor’s website and door. I am also available at other times.
Note that graded papers must be picked up during these hours (allow 10 minutes
to review the grading comments) – major papers will not be returned in
class. Also, if you are waiting to see me, make sure I know you’re
waiting for me (five professors are off the same small hallway).
>GRADE POSTING:
Grades are always
available on Blackboard's "Grade Book."
>MISSING ASSIGNMENTS: Missing
papers and test results will be recorded as zeroes in computing the course
grade. Major papers will be “missing” until the paper is submitted to the
Instructor and the file copy is submitted to turnitin.com.
>LATE
PAPERS:
All late papers will be penalized one point per day past due (100 point basis).
Short “study notes” must be submitted at the specified class – late submissions
are not accepted regardless the excuse. Usually, a few missing study-note
scores will not enter into computation of your individual course grade—you will
be graded only on submitted notes. However, if you have not turned in an
adequate number of these assignments, they will start to be scored as
zeros. Everyone will have scores for at least 70% of the assigned study
notes.
>MAKE-UP
EXAMS:
Students will regularly sit for scheduled exams. Should you miss an exam
without that absence being excused by the Instructor, the score is zero.
If excused, you will be allowed to take a substitute exam to replace the
zero. Usually this “makeup” will be administered by the Department
Assistant, Mrs. Miller, and you must schedule it at her convenience
(call 479-2520 to make arrangements). Any missed quizzes are not made up
– the score will not enter into computation of your individual course grade.
>INCOMPLETE COURSE GRADES: The grade report of
I (Incomplete Grade) will be submitted only when justified by personal crisis
or legitimate sickness; otherwise, missing scores are entered as zeroes for
computation of the course grade. You should present your extenuating
circumstances, your request for an Incomplete, and, if possible, your time
schedule for completion of the course in writing. To be
assured of the Incomplete Grade report, you must receive the instructor's
approval in writing (make sure you keep a copy for future
reference).
> DROPPING A COURSE: A course may be
dropped without a designated grade during the first two weeks of a term of the
regular academic year. From the third through the eleventh weeks, a grade
of W is assigned. After the eleventh week, a grade of F is assigned in
this course (a higher grade requires that you actually complete the
course). Discontinuance of attendance does not automatically constitute a
withdrawal; you must formally withdraw at the Registrar’s Office.
Regardless the reason, those who can not complete seventy percent of the course
(attendance, assignments, and tests) should drop the course.
YOUR OBLIGATIONS:
(1) Attend class. Come
mentally prepared, focused and ready. Have a commitment to engage the
material at hand. Be interested in the material and what others have to
say.
(2) Take responsibility for your
own learning. Be organized and have a sense of time
management. Put in the necessary time and effort. Be accountable to
and for yourself. Appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow.
(3) Have and share positive
attitudes. Be optimistic about humankind. Be open to ideas and
confident in yourself. Acknowledge and embrace risk. Open your
thoughts and views to others. Have a willingness to accept and
incorporate constructive criticism. Value our education community and our
time with others.