Catalog Description

Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Introduction to the western cultural tradition through a survey of its religion, art, philosophy, literature, music, and architecture; covers the Renaissance through the modern world. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Identify and describe diverse cultural artifacts and values from the Renaissance through the Modern eras.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze and explain diverse cultural artifacts and values from the Renaissance through the Modern eras.
  • CSLO #3: Compare and contrast diverse cultural artifacts and values within and/or across cultures from the Renaissance through the Modern eras.
  • CSLO #4: Communicate effectively orally or in writing on a topic in the humanities from the Renaissance through the Modern eras.

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Students will, through oral and written work,
1. Describe the Art, Architecture, literature, music and philosophy from the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment and the Modern Era;
2. Chart figures, movements and themes on a timeline from the the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era;
3. Describe themes, styles and techniques of Art in the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era;
4. Compare and contrast themes, styles and techniques of Art in the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era;
5. Describe architecture in each of the aforementioned worlds and compare these architectural trends and styles with the trends and styles in Art;
6. Compare and contrast architectural styles between the major relevant eras;
7. List and describe the literature created in the ancient, the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era;
8. Compare and contrast the literature created in the various eras;
9. List and describe notable composers and their compositions in the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era;
10. Compare and contrast the musical styles utilized in the various eras;
11. List major philosophers from each era, describe their philosophical systems and compare and contrast the philosophical trends through the various eras;
12. Discuss underlying themes in art, architecture, history, literature, music, and philosophy during the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Fine Arts
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
    • CSUGE - C2 Humanities
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 3B Humanities

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: After learning about the political theories of Machiavelli and John Locke, students will be prompted to compare and contrast these two political philosophies, and based on these discussions, students will write a short paragraph identifying which political philosophy they would prefer to live under, and explain their choice. Submitted paragraphs will be evaluated by whether they include relevant concepts and coherent reasoning.
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: In a short essay, describe the Baroque period identifying its defining characteristics. Use different examples from architecture, art, and music to support your ideas.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: A. Students will take a multiple-choice examination that asks students to identify major figures and themes from the Renaissance. For example: Linear Perspective was first developed in the Renaissance by (A) Michelangelo; (B) Brunelleschi; (C) Da Vinci; (D) Raphael.
    • Projects
      • Example: Create a poster board that presents the art, architecture, literature, music and/or philosophy from the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Era.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Using a slide-presentation for an on-ground lecture format, the instructor will present various works of art and model how to identify and describe themes, styles, and techniques of art from the Renaissance. Through an interactive discussion, students will be presented with new and different images and invited to identify and describe themes, styles, and techniques of art from the Renaissance.

    Distance Learning

    1. In an online modality, students will watch a video of the instructor presenting various works of architecture modelling how to identify, and compare and contrast styles between different eras in the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment, and the Modern Eras. In a discussion board assignment, students will be presented with two images from different eras and asked to identify and describe its themes, and compare and contrast their styles.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read Pico della Mirandola's "Oration on the Dignity of Man," and be prepared to discuss where humanity’s place is on the “chain of being.” 2. Read "What is Enlightenment?" by Immanuel Kant, and be prepared to discuss what Kant means by "self-caused immaturity."

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. In a three page paper, compare and contrast the architectural structure of Brunelleschi's dome with that of the Pantheon. Describe the difficulties faced by Brunelleschi in completing the dome in the church of Florence. How did he overcome those challenges? Explain the role of Classical Architecture in his resolution. 2. After reading chapter five in your text, choose an artwork, from either the Romantic movement or the Realist movement and in a three-page, typed, double-spaced paper, thoroughly describe the artwork as well as various interpretations of its meaning and significance. 3. Pick an artist from the 20th century and write a 6-8 page research paper describing his or her life and major works, investigating why he or she has come to be considered a great artist.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Required Materials

    • Humanities: Culture, Continuity & Change, Vol. 2
      • Author: Henry M. Sayre
      • Publisher: Pearson
      • Publication Date: 2014
      • Text Edition: 3rd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Vol. 2
      • Author: Lawrence S. Cunningham, John J. Reich, and Lois Fichner-Rathus
      • Publisher: Cengage
      • Publication Date: 2017
      • Text Edition: 9th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities, Volume II
      • Author: Janetta Rebold Benton and Robert DiYanni
      • Publisher: Prentice Hall
      • Publication Date: 2005
      • Text Edition: 2nd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The Future of an Illusion
      • Author: Sigmund Freud
      • Publisher: WW Norton & Co.
      • Publication Date: 1989
      • Text Edition: Reprint
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • 1984
      • Author: George Orwell
      • Publisher: Signet Classic
      • Publication Date: 1961
      • Text Edition: Reprint
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.