Syllabi for Stone
18th and 19th Century Humanities
Professor: Justin Stone
Email: jstone2@valenciacollege.edu
Textbook: All texts needed for this class will be provided on Canvas.
Course Description
This course is an integrated examination of dominant ideas in Western culture expressed in art, literature, music, philosophy and religion. Sometimes referred to as the “era of revolution” this course covers the Enlightenment and Romantic eras of the 18th and 19th centuries, emphasizing both European and American elements. To understand these cultures, students must strive to view the religion, philosophy, and works of art of these times the same way the authors, composers, and artists did, rather than compare and judge them through modern lenses.
Attendance
It is important to attend every class. If a student must miss a class, they should email the instructor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Exams and assignments MUST be turned in ON TIME, unless an earlier make-up date is requested and approved prior to the scheduled due date. A student will be marked absent if they are not present at roll-call at the beginning of class. It is the attendance records of the instructor, not the recollections of the student, which will be consulted for proof of attendance/absences.
In Classroom Safety Guidelines:
Until CDC guidance for Orange and Osceola counties indicates that masks are no longer recommended indoors, we expect everyone on campus to wear masks when indoors at any Valencia College facility. This includes employees, students, visitors, and vendors, regardless of vaccination status. If someone forgets to bring a mask, masks will be widely available near building entrances, in classrooms, student services offices, and other campus facilities.
COVID-19 Wellness, Reporting, and Support
If you find yourself feeling unwell and suspect you might be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, please stay home. Please also report this to Valencia’s COVID-19 case manager Tanya Mahan, at COVIDillness@valenciacollege.edu, so the College can determine how to best support you.
If you are unable to participate in the course due to illness, family emergency, etc., please communicate with me as soon as possible in order to create a plan for the best course of action. In the case of a prolonged online absence of one week or more, you and I will discuss options and determine your ability to continue in the course.
Discussion Assignments
As a part of your grade, you will be assigned SIX discussion questions to answer on Canvas for the assigned readings. The first prompt of each Discussion assignment is due Thursdays. The second prompt will required you to reply to TWO of your classmates’ posts before the due date (Sunday). It is important to note these two separate due dates as Canvas' calendar ONLY displays the final due date. Late work is not accepted.
Essays and Writing
This is a Gordon Rule course and requires 6,000 words of writing, along with a minimum grade of C, to satisfy the Gordon Rule requirement. To achieve this goal, ONE short essay, 4-5 pages in length, will be assigned along with class writings and short essay test questions. Both essay assignments must be turned in through Canvas by the due date.
Revisions
One of the goals of this class is to develop your ability to write at the college level. As an instructor, I am committed to helping you with this goal. The assigned essay will be graded in a timely manner and you will be given one week to make corrections to potentially earn a better grade. Individual meetings can be arranged for further clarification of corrections.
Plagiarism
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition states, "to use another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft” (30). Examples of plagiarism are: not using quotation marks to designate direct quotes, not citing paraphrased or summarized information from an outside source, and copying or buying papers and essays and presenting them as one's own. Any paper found to be flagrantly plagiarized will receive an automatic F (score of 0), and the student will be given no chance for revisions. A second offense will lead to academic sanctions including, but not limited to, failure of this course. A citation error is not flagrant plagiarism, but presenting someone else’s ideas as your own is. For more information on plagiarism visit: Valencia's Plagiarism Guide.
Exams
The exams will be comprised of short answer and essay questions. Exam questions will come from both the readings and the in-class discussions. Both exams will be taken online (through Canvas) and will be timed. Exams MUST be finished by the due date. Failure to follow all test-taking guidelines will result in an automatic zero score for the exam.
Classroom Behavior
This is a discussion-based class. Often, you will be presented with points of view that may conflict with your own. Academic debate is highly encouraged, but rude and offensive behavior toward any member of the classroom will not be tolerated.
Statement of Support for Students with Food/Housing/Financial Needs:
Any student who has difficulty accessing sufficient food to eat, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect his or her performance in the course, is urged to meet with a Counselor in the Advising Center for information about resources that may be available from the college or community. Student Services can also be found online at: https://valenciacollege.edu/students/student-services/
Grading Scale
A | 90-100% |
B | 80-89% |
C | 70-79% |
D | 60-69% |
F | 0-59% |
Discussions (6) - 24%
Journal (7) - 21%
Exams (2) - 30%
Essays (1) - 20%
Syllabus Quiz - 2%
Final - 3%
Schedule of Classes: (Spring 2022)
Week 1: Introduction / Scientific Revolution (Bacon)
Week 2: Neoclassical / Karl Marx
Week 3: Locke, Jefferson, Hobbes / Dostoevsky
Week 4: Wollstonecraft
Week 5: Swift / David
Week 6: Rococo & Neo-Gothic / Edgar Allan Poe
Week 7: Landscape Paintings / Walt Whitman & Dickenson / Exam #1
Week 8: Ralph Waldo Emerson
Week 9: SPRING BREAK
Week 10: Roosevelt and Muir / Walden
Week 11: Walden / Walden
Week 12: Walden / Walden
Week 13: Walden / Walden
Week 14: How to Write an Argumentative Essay, American Civil War / Mark Twain / Essay #2
Week 15: Mark Twain / Romanticism & Impressionism / Exam #2
Final: April 27 @10am (until 12:30pm)
*This syllabus is subject to change by the instructor at any time