"Humanities" is an umbrella term that covers all the different forms of the human voice, i.e., the different ways by which people have expressed the experience of being human. For this reason, the course integrates and draws on history, literature, religion, philosophy, art, and music. Lectures and discussions will take up issues that have faced humankind in each age, along with the values by which each culture lived.

Material will be presented through lectures, readings of primary and secondary sources, and weekly discussions.

.

Grades will be assigned in the course based on the following:

About quizzes and papers: This course requires weekly preparation of readings and assignments. Some weeks quizzes will be given in the lab periods. Some weeks, short two-page analytical papers will be due. Focus questions for each week's reading are given out in advance.

About attendance: Significant absences may affect your grade. A few absences may disqualify you from a positive grade on class participation; more absences will lower your grade. If you are absent, you (not your professor) are responsible to make up the work by borrowing notes or handouts from other students.

About participation: We know: talking in front of others isn't everyone's cup of tea. However, it's an important way to think through questions and ideas. Constructive participation in lab sessions may raise your final grade by as much as one-half of a letter grade.

About the honor system: The requirements of academic integrity and of the BC Honor System preclude plagiarism of others' words and ideas. But these requirements do not preclude discussions on readings, brainstorming, or mutual assistance in formulating approaches to assignments. Collaboration must end, however, when each student begins writing. Your written work, quizzes and exams must be your own.