UH 101 Section 003: Survey: Values & Society
Fall, 2009
3 Credit Hours
Primary Instructor: Betty Florey
Core Designation: University Honors, Humanities
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:15-11:30; 3:15-4:45 and by appointment
This course is for students in the University Honors Program only
This seminar will focus on love, war, and global diasporas. In exploring these concepts, we will distinguish among the several meanings of the word, "dialogue." We will view clips, DVDs, read books, have visiting speakers and create lively discussions. Be prepared for a consciousness-raising experience!
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Examine the role of conversation and the art of dialogue in personal and policial relationships between and among groups and nations.
2. Understand the role of literature, drama, and film in shaping and reshaping personal and public perspectives.
3. Distinguish between nuance and "fact."
4. Analyze Peter Taylor's belief that a sign of remarkable intelligence in a man or in a woman is when he or she does not judge others "with regard to age or sex or race, but instead merely senses the intelligence of every individual."
5. Write a structured, cogent, and interesting critical essay.
Introduction: Dialogue on Love.
Workshop on Writing
Dialogue on War
Dialogue on Global Diasporas
August
Introduction: Dialogue on Love
Dialogue Handout, Discussion, Movie excerpts
Examples of Dialogue: Movie excerpts, Discussion
DVD: The Notebook Discussion
DVD: The Notebook (continued) Discussion
DVD: Splendor in the Grass (William Inge, script) Discussion: Characterization
September
DVD: Splendor in the Grass (continued). Comparison of works. Discussion
Workshop on Writing
Introduction: Dialogue on War
World War One British Poets 1-36 Internet reference required for each point in critical essay due next meeting.
World War One British Poets 37-71. Discussion (Critical Essay on Notebook/Splendor Due)
Copenhagen 3-94 Discussion of atom bomb and the uncertainty principle.
Copenhagen 95-132 and showing of Copenhagen DVD
Copenhagen: Discussion
October
White Light/Black Rain DVD. Discussion
Midterm Exam
Late Thoughts on an Old War 1-47 and DVD: We Were Soldiers
Dialogue exercises due.
Late Thoughts on an Old War 48-102 and DVD: We Were Soldiers (continued)
Late Thoughts on an Old War, Discussion, Guest Speaker
Discussion on Iraq War, Guest Speaker
Introduction: Dialogue in Global Diasporas
Things Fall Apart 13-109
Independent Study Day
November-December
Things Fall Apart 110-209. Discussion. Paper on War due.
The Kite Runner 1-142 Discussion
The Kite Runner 143-272 Discussion
Charlie Wilson's War DVD Discussion
Charlie Wislon's War DVD (continued) Discussion
Billy Elliot, Script of Play Discussion
Billy Elliot, DVD, Discussion
Final Paper Due
Final Exam
Your reports are due at the beginning of the class period on the day that they are assigned; papers submitted later will have five points deducted. They must be typed (word processed). They must have 12 pt. font; be double-spaced; have 1" margins all around; follow MLA guidelines; and be the minimum of the page numbers designated on the percentage chart below--more is fine. You and I will meet one-on-one in my office to discuss your ideas and a thesis for your critical essay paper. Final grades are affected by preparedness, attendance, late or non-submitted papers, plagiarism, marked discrepancy between in-class and out-of-class work.
Notebook/Splendor Critical Essay (4 pages) 20% (Midterm Grade)
Dialogue Exercise 20%
Paper on War (4 pages) 20%
Internet references(2 reports per work) 10%
Diaspora/Final Paper 30% (Final Exam Grade)
Diaspora/Final Paper: This paper will consist of three parts: 1. A five paragraph essay comparing two works that we've encountered (one work must be from the Diaspora section). Second Choice: you may answer a Five Dramatic Questions sheet with one paragraph per question on a work in the Diaspora section. 2. Three concepts that were new to you or with which you were familiar but gained better understanding through the course. (You may number your answers: 1., 2., and 3.) 3. Discover a theme in five of the books, poems, DVDs, and discussions we've experienced; in other words, you will deal with five works of your choice and write a paragraph. Note: We will discuss this format in class; we will also create themes and examples which you might like to use.
Your Internet Reference Folder and Diaspora/Final Paper may be turned in on the last day of class. The interenet reseach is to give you a broader and more enlightened frame of refernce.
Please see Grading Policy above.
Three absences for any reason are allowed; these absences include illness and pre-holiday cuts. Over-cutting will take 2 points off the final average per time. Over four absences will result in failure to complete the course. Students are responsible for any work and assignments. In exceptional cases missed work may be made up. In-class papers should be considered as exams and should not be missed. Any make-up work is based entirely upon the instructor's discretion. Make every attempt to stay out of the make-up category. Three tardies will count as one absence.
Read In Africa's Forest and Jungle: Six Years Among the Yorubas by R. H. Stone, Edited by Betty Finklea Florey and compare to Things Fall Apart.
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways: