COURSE SYLLABUS

UNIVERSIDAD DEL SAGRADO CORAZÓN
INTERDISCIPLINARY FACULTY OF HUMANISTIC

AND SOCIAL STUDIES (FIEHS)

COURSE SYLLABUS

NAME: Human beings and the humanization of their circumstances

CODE: HUM 111

CREDITS: 3 credits, 3 hours a week, 1 semester

DESCRIPTION:

An interdisciplinary, introductory, survey course focusing on two important themes of universal value: the identity of human beings and the continuous efforts to humanize their circumstances. The themes are presented through selected readings and other audio-visual materials and are framed as problem issues in order to facilitate the development of a critical understanding and appreciation for human expressions, the capacity for self reflection and the process of valuing individual diversity and collective aspirations. In addition, students will engage in individual research projects (monograph/literature review, community service documentation or creative activity) which may require participation in extracurricular activities, inside or outside the University campus (artistic/cultural presentations and visits to community service organizations projects), in order to incorporate the component of direct observation and personal reflection on contemporary society.

JUSTIFICATION:

A well rounded University education should encourage and facilitate students' understanding of and appreciation for contemporary human culture, including the development of a general knowledge about its trajectory and the opportunity to reflect on significant milestones of its evolution. In addition, it is important for students to be conversant with unavoidable issues that affect contemporary society such as discrimination, ethical considerations and environmental concerns among others. This course's thematic framework promotes students' development of a more conscientious and critical view of the world which they can incorporate in their respective fields of study and future professional endeavors and that will enable them to become better human beings. This course places special emphasis on the importance of becoming an active participant in the continuous efforts to create a more humanistic society.

OBJETIVES:

Upon completing this course students will be able to:

1. Discuss, compare and contrast the religious, scientific and humanistic perspectives on the origin, nature and destiny of human beings and their world.

2. Analyze and appreciate literary works and other expressions of human thought in their historical context and in reference to contemporary experience in keeping with the course's main theme, the effort to "humanize our circumstances."

3. Carry out an independent Project (monograph/literature review, community service documentation or creative activity) with a research component, utilizing appropriate information research, good judgment and critical thinking skills.

4. Visualize themselves as social change agents, committed to "humanize" their surroundings, their professions and the world.

CONTENT:

I. Humanities and the Social Sciences: working definitions and major components

A. What are they?

B. Why are they important?

C. How do we go about learning? - Diagnosing and Treating The Ophelia Syndrome

II. Human Identity: origins and nature

A. A religious perspective:

1. Genesis 1-4, The Bible

2. Others creation myths

B. A scientific perspective:

1. Origins and evolution of the universe

2. Origins and evolution of human beings

C. A humanistic perspective: comparative critique of religious and scientific perspectives and patriarchal values

III. Values in conflict

A. The ancient world: from early human societies to Rome

1. Historic overview: significant milestones

2. Euripides, Medea: women in a male dominated world

3. Séneca, On the shortness of life: reflection on self

B. The Renaissance: origins of humanistic thought

1. Historic overview: significant milestones

2. Machiavelli, The Prince (excerpt): realism vs. idealism in politics

C. The 20th Century: a world in conflict

1. Historic overview: significant milestones

2. Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot: the loss of meaning

IV. Contemporary society: Puerto Rico (current events)

A. Current issues

1. Discrimination vs. Diversity

2. Corruption vs. Ethical values

3. Individuals and society

3. Environmental concerns

B. Individuals and Community

1. Personal expressions (art and culture)

2. Community service (direct service providers)

EVALUATION:

Partial test I …………………………………… 25%

5 Reflections (@ 5%) ……………………….... 25%

Individual project …………………………..… 25%

100%

SELECTED MATERIALS AND READINGS (links to free versions)

· Diagnosing And Treating The Ophelia Syndrome - Thomas G. Plummer

http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=2537#endnt_11

· Genesis - Chapters 1-4

- The Bible American Standard Version

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/American-Standard-Version-ASV-Bible/

- Catholic Bible

www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=1

· Creation Myths - Collection of creation myths from around the world

http://www.scribd.com/doc/39813719/Creation-Myths-of-the-World#page=1

· Rehabilitating Eve, the Mother of us all, September 15, 2004 - The San Juan Star pg57 - Prof. Tim Sherwood - will be posted on the HUM111 Blog.

· National Research Council. Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences, Second Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1999. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6024

· The Descent of Man, Charles Darwin (selections)

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2300/pg2300.html

· Medea - Euripides

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35451

· On the shortness of life - Seneca

http://thriceholy.net/Texts/Life.html

· The Prince - Niccolò Machiavelli (selections)

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1232

· Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett

http://samuel-beckett.net/Waiting_for_Godot_Part1.html

http://ebooks.gutenberg.us/WorldeBookLibrary.com/godot.htm

Any students requiring reasonable accommodations should request it to the Associate Dean of Students