Some pre-travel readings may be required. Continue to monitor this web page for any additional required readings.

Hand in your assignments on time! Due dates are firm. Extensions will not be given on or after the due date. You must request an extension BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT IS DUE, and you must have a good reason. Late papers will be marked down.

Examinations must also be taken or turned in on the date marked on the syllabus. Make-ups will be scheduled only for very solid reasons.

Course Outline:

Encountering the Arts
(Part One)

A. Introduction to the World of the Arts

What is Art?
Classifying the Arts
Transmitting Art from Artist to Audience
The Functions of the Arts

B. The Elements of the Arts

1. Components of the Arts of Space:

Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and Photography

Composition
Color:

Color media and techniques

Line:

Media techniques in the Graphic Arts

Volume
Texture
Choice of Moment
Choice of Location and Design
Building techniques

2. Components of the Arts of Time

Music

Notes
Rhythm
Melody
Harmony
Tone Color or Timbre
Tonality
Form

Poetry

Rhythm and Meter
Rhyme and Other Sound Effects
Diction
Images
Spatial Aspects of Poetry

Prose Narrative

Plot and Character
Setting
Treatment of Time

3. Components of the Composite Arts

Theatre

The Stage as Playing Space
Stage Time

Film

Treatment of Space
Treatment of Time
Sound

C. Point of View: Shaping the Work of Art

1. Painting, Sculpture and Architecture

Vantage Points
Perspective
Frame

2. Prose Narrative

Omniscient Narrator
First-Person Narrator
Third-Person Limited Narrator
Stream of Consciousness
Two Narratives

3. Poetry

Omniscient Speaker
First-Person Speaker
Third-Person Limited Speaker

4. Theatre

First-Person Speaker

5. Film

Omniscient Narrator
First-Person Narrator
Stream of Consciousness

D. Performance: Interpreting the Work of Art

1. Music

Technique
Musicianship
Personality

2. Theatre and Film

Technique, Sensitivity and Personality in Acting
Technique, Sensitivity and Personality in Directing

3. Dance

Technique
Sensitivity to the Work
Personality

Encountering the Arts
(Part Two)

“The Context of Tradition and Genres”

A. “Culture and Tradition”

1. The Cultural Origins of Dance and Drama

2. The Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian Traditions

Aphrodite-Venus
Abraham and Isaac
The Halo
The Christian Mass

B. Genres of the Arts of Space

Painting

History Painting
The Portrait
Landscape Painting
Still Life

Photography

Photojournalism and Social Documentation
Portrait Photography
Nature Photography
Performance and Fashion Photography

Sculpture

Portraiture: The Bust and Full-Figure Sculpture
Religious Sculpture
Monumental or Civic Sculpture

Architecture

Churches
Theatres
Railroad Stations

High and Low Culture

Folk Art
Naïve Painting
Commercial Art

C. Genres of the Arts of Time

Music

Symphony
Concerto
Sonata
Song
Chamber Music

Poetry

Epic
Lyric
Ballad
Sonnet

Prose Narrative

Short Story, Novella, Novel

D. Genres of the Composite Arts

Theatre

Tragedy
Comedy
Tragicomedy
Problem Play
Melodrama

Opera, Operetta and the Musical Film

The Western
Comedy
Epic
The Thriller
Film Noir

Encountering the Arts
(Part Three)

“The Context of Historical Periods”

A. Mesopotamian

Specific works

B. Greco-Roman

Specific works

C. Medieval

Specific works

D. Renaissance

Specific works

E. Baroque

Specific works

F. Classical

Specific works

G. Romanticism

Specific works

H. Neoclassism

Specific works

I. Modernism

Specific works

Encountering the Arts
(Part Four)

“Approaches to Appreciating and Evaluating the Arts”

A. Fully Experiencing a Work of Art

First Impressions and Reexamination

Understanding the Background

Biography
History
Relation to Other Works —Intertexuality

B. Forming a Judgment

Some Widely Accepted Criteria
Originality
Sincerity
Easy Comprehensibility
Relevance
Beauty of Subject Matter
Complexity and Coherence

C. The World Beyond the Classroom

Weekly / Daily Class schedule:

(A PDF will soon be posted giving a daily schedule of topics covered, as well as a schedule of site visit preparation presentations.)

Instructor: Dr. John M. Minniear

Dates of course: April 2 - 13 and April 23 - May 4

Location: Athens and Rome

Course Description:

Culture and Values: An Introduction to the Humanities provides an overview of some of the world's major civilizations--their artistic achievements, their history and their cultures. Through this integrated approach to the humanities, the course offers opportunities to view works of art, listen to music and read literature in historical and cultural contexts. Painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, religion and philosophy are explored for what they reveal about the human condition. They also tell us about human attitudes and feelings, about ideas and ideals that continue to have value today.

Class Policies:

Academic honesty and integrity is expected at all times. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated and will be handled according to university guidelines.

Learning Resources:

Cultural monuments: site visits in the cities of residence during the duration of the course (eight weeks). (You will be encouraged to notice specific sites during all of the semester's visits without encroaching on the requirements and time spent in your other classes.)

Classroom lectures, discussions and presentations of musical, literary, artistic and architectural examples.

Requirements:

The success of this class depends not just on the instructor but on the active participation of each class member. An active participant should be present in class on time for the entire class period and should be prepared to discuss the material when appropriate. Because this course is accelerated, as are all others, it is important for students to attend every day that they are physically able to do so. For this reason, attendance is required.

Course Assessment:

Required readings; class attendance; class discussion; reaction papers; exams and projects (such as on site observations)

Exams and Grading:

Course grades will be based on the following table:

93-100% A	76-81% BC	59-63% D
88-92% AB	70-75% C	58% or less F
82-87% B	64-69% CD

- Incomplete (I) will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

Students with Special Needs:

It is university policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss any accommodations you might need and provide appropriate documentation.

Topic headings / units:

1. The Dawn of Culture and Ancient Egypt

This unit traces the Western cultural tradition by examining the earliest people and their art, the kingdoms of ancient Egypt, the culture of Mesopotamia and the Aegean cultures of the Bronze Age.

2. Aegean Culture and the Rise of Ancient Greece

This study of Early Greece is divided in the heroic age, the age of colonization and the archaic period. Examples of Greek literature, sculpture, painting and architecture, music and drama are discussed.

3. Classical and Hellenistic Greece

This unit surveys the stability and unity of Greece during the Classical AGe (479 b.c. to 323 b.c.)--a level of civilization that has served as a continuing inspiration to our culture. The artistic and intellectual achievements are explored and evaluated. The contributions of Greek philosophers from this period which became the basis of Western thought for the next two thousand years are presented. The importance of the Roman conquest of Greece and the Greek ideals of order and human reason are also discussed.

4. The Roman Legacy

This unit explores the contributions of Rome to the development of Western civilization. Emphasis is placed on its governmental and military achievements and on its art, architecture, philosophy, and literature.

5. Jerusalem and the Rise of Christianity

In this unit, the Bible will be reviewed as an historical source for the study of Solomon and the prophets. The cultural and philosophical significance of the Biblical period will be explored by examining select examples of literature, art, architecture and music.

6. Byzantine and Islamic Civilizations

This unit deals with the rise of Christianity and the decline of Rome. Emphasis is placed on the Byzantine Empire and its culture. The art, architecture and literature are dealt with in detail, particularly the Confessions of Augustine, the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople, and the art and architecture of Ravenna.

7. The Early Middle Ages and the Romanesque

This unit traces the revival of the Roman Empire in the West under Charlemagne. Feudal rule was established and legal decrees were issued. The rise of monasticism, liturgical music ad the beginnings of drama are explored.

8. The Gothic and Late Middle Ages

This unit presents the development of Paris as a royal city and France as an important kingdom and center of Western civilization during the Middle Ages. The beginnings of Gothic architecture, scholasticism, and the educational community (university) were evidence of the humane learning inherited from Greek and Roman culture and the accepted faith of the West. The discovery of the writings of Aristotle, the crusades and religious reforms were all factors in the flowering of medieval culture.

9. The Renaissance and Mannerism in Italy

In this unit, the events leading to the end of the medieval period and the beginning of the Renaissance are presented. The 14th century is marked by natural calamity, institutional decay, and cruel violence. The developments in literature (Petrarch and Chaucer), art (Giotto) and music (Ars Nova) are also explored. Part of the unit focuses on the city of Florence, home of the 15th century Renaissance. Artists, intellectuals and humanists were convinced that a careful study of the classics of Greece and Rome could be used as revolutionary tools to restructure politics, reinterpret architecture and set new standards for art and increase both intellectual and moral powers of the educated.

This unit also explores the role the Papal Court at the Vatican played in continuing the artistic patronage after the decline of the Medici and other Florentine families. The activity of Raphael and Michelangelo at the Vatican is contrasted with the work going on in Venice (Giorgione and Titian). Mannerism in art is presented as well as the music of the Papal Court and Venice.

10. The Renaissance in the North

This unit covers the effects of the spread of the Protestant Revolution of Reformation during the 16th century primarily in Northern Europe. The causes of the Reformation, Renaissance humanism, and the cultural significance of the Reformation are discussed in detail. Emphasis is also placed on the art, architecture, literature and music of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Elizabethan England.

11. The Baroque Age

The Counter Reformation of the 17th century brought dramatic change in artistic and intellectual developments. This unit explores these developments in art, music, philosophy and science, and literature in Western Europe. Specific artists, composers and writers are dealt with in detail.

12. The Eighteenth Century

The eighteenth century was an age of contradictions. Neoclassicism prevailed in literature and in the visual arts, while classical music paralleled the altitudes of the rococo style and the aristocratic age. These developments gave rise to the Encyclopedists, to philosophical cynicism and satire, and, ultimately, to revolution.

13. Romanticism and Realism

This unit explores the birth of romanticism and how the movement was represented in music, literature and art of the period both in Europe and in America. The back-to-nature sentiments of Rousseau and the philosophies of Kant and Hegel resulted in a sweeping revolt against science, authority, tradition and new-classicism.

14. Toward the Modern Era: 1870-1914

The growing unrest of the 19th century resulted in World War I (The Great War)--a decisive turning point in Western Civilization. The growth of more democratic governments and scientific achievements, the rise of capitalism, and the decline of religion created an uncertain world that was reflected in the arts. New movements in art, new styles in music, and new subjects in literature were all results of this widespread feeling of unrest.

15. Between the World Wars

After The Great War (WW I), two different approaches to the world existed: a spirit of frivolity and a feeling of bitterness and cynicism. Artists reacted to this troubled world in different ways. Literary modernism, cubism and surrealism were all reactions to the unsettled world. The many cultural responses to social distress are presented.

16. The Contemporary Contour

Many of the complexities of the world after World War II are presented in this unit. The changing character of the postwar period is reflected in the arts. A multitude of movements and styles are surveyed.

Class Schedule: (When the itinerary has been finalized, the class schedule will be posted)

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Instructor: Dr. Heike Alberts

Dates of course: May 7 - May 18

Location: Amsterdam and Berlin

(Tentative Course Syllabus

Course Description
Contemporary Europe is a diverse region in terms of natural landscapes, political and economic systems, languages and cultures. It is also a region undergoing far-reaching transformations, most prominently the “velvet revolutions” in Eastern Europe since the late 1980s and the increasing integration and cooperation of European countries in the European Union. The diversity and rapid changes make studying Europe both interesting and challenging for geographers.
In this class we will explore five broad topic areas. We will begin by looking at the current social setting, such as demographic characteristics of the population, languages and religions, ethnic conflict and migration. Next we will study the physiographic regions of Europe, natural resources and environmental challenges, before turning our attention to the basic features of the European economy. We will then explore Europe’s urban history from ancient times to today. Finally, we will focus on the most important political developments after 1945 and examine the challenges and chances of European integration.
We will cover some of these topics in lectures and class discussions, but on many days we will actually look at concrete examples in Amsterdam and Berlin. I was born and raised in Berlin, so I very much look forward to showing you my city and teaching you about the geography of Europe there and in Amsterdam!

Teaching Philosophy
For me learning is an interactive process, with both teachers and students learning from one another. I do not see you as containers in which I pour knowledge. I also do not see you as sponges that readily absorb whatever is presented to you. Rather I see you as individuals with different backgrounds and histories, strengths and weaknesses, and styles of acquiring and processing information. I will give you plenty of opportunity to be active in class, and hope that you will enjoy our explorations of Amsterdam and Berlin. In my opinion, getting to know a place through personal experience is much better than learning about it in lecture. However, to get the most out of this experience, you have to be active in soaking up as much information as you can during our stay in these two fascinating cities.

Required Readings
I selected a few academic articles and book chapters for you, which you can purchase from me for the cost of photocopying. I expect you to do your readings before coming to class. While most of the readings are quite simple, two articles are a bit more difficult. I expect you to do your best in working through this material.

Class Policies
- Since we will cover a lot of material in one day and lectures complement, rather than duplicate, reading materials, it is important that you do not miss any class days and participate actively in the activities we are doing.
- This class is only two weeks long, so it is important that you meet all deadlines and don’t fall behind with the class material. I will deduct points if your assignments are late.
- Academic honesty and integrity are expected at all times. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated and will be handled according to university guidelines.
- Incomplete (I) will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
- Please be respectful at all times towards your fellow students, the instructor, and other people we will encounter during our time in Berlin. Be critical of ideas, not people; listen to and respect everyone’s ideas even if you don’t agree. Remember that you are a guest in the countries we visit and behave accordingly.

Exams and Grading
Your grade will consist of the following components:
- Exams: The two exams consist largely of short answer questions, but there may also be a short essay. Each exam is worth 25% of your grade.
- Book review: You will be asked to write a critical review of a book. I will inform you about possible titles before we begin the Odyssey. If you want, you can complete this assignment before going on the European Odyssey. Your book review counts 20% of your grade.
- Opinion/discussion papers: You will write two papers about controversial topics. Each opinion paper is worth 15% of your grade.
All assignments can be turned in hand-written, but the hand-writing has to be clearly legible. Chicken-scratch or otherwise sloppy assignments will not be accepted.

Course grades will be based on the following table:
93-100% A 76-81% BC 59-63% D
88-92% AB 70-75% C 58% or less F
82-87% B 64-69% CD

Students with Special Needs
It is university policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss any accommodations you might need and provide appropriate documentation.

Schedule

Amsterdam

Monday, May 7
- Topics: Introduction, The Changing Political Map, Languages in Europe
- Introductory Walking Tour

Tuesday, May 8
- Topics: Religious Issues and Ethnic Conflict in Europe
- Readings: Djilas, Aleksa (1995): “Fear Thy Neighbor: The Breakup of Yugoslavia,” in: Kupchan, Charles, ed. Nationalism and Nationalities in the New Europe, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 85-106
- Fieldtrip: Anne Frank Huis
- Assignment: Opinion paper about the headscarf debate

Wednesday, May 9
- Topics: Physiographic Regions, Climate, Agriculture and Economy
- Fieldtrip: Aalsmeer Flower Auction and Cruquius Pumping Station

Thursday, May 10
- Topics: Energy, Resources, and Environment
- Optional Fieldtrip to Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum

Friday, May 11
- Exam I
- Topic: Urban Geography I
- Fieldtrip: Walking Tour of Amsterdam

Berlin

Monday, May 14
- Topic: Urban Geography II
- Readings: Danta, Darrick and William Berentsen (1997): “Urban Geography,” in: William Berentsen, ed. Contemporary Europe. A Geographic Analysis, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 195-227
- Fieldtrip: Walking Tour of Historic Berlin

Tuesday, May 15
- Topics: Population Issues and Migration
- Readings: Leitner, Helga (1995): “International Migration and the Politics of Admission and Exclusion in Postwar Europe,” in: Political Geography, 14(3), 259-278 Fieldtrip: Walking Tour of Contemporary Berlin
- Assignment: Opinion paper about the ICC (or similar topic)

Wednesday, May 16
- Topics: Transportation Issues
- Fieldtrip: Berliner Verkehrsgetriebe

Thursday, May 17
- Topics: The Cold War, The European Union
- Readings: tba

Friday May 18
- Exam II
- Fieldtrip: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- Hand in Book Review

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Instructor: Dr. Monika Hohbein-Deegen

email: deegen@uwosh.edu

Dates of course: May 21 - June 1

Location: Berlin, Germany

16 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the opening of the inner-German borders, people outside Germany wonder why there are so many prejudices between East and West Germans after the unification of both German States. It seems to the outsider that these Germans on both sides of the former border cannot get along and will probably never become a truly united people. The celebrations following the opening of the borders are indeed long over. The Germans have to face problems originating from forty years of separation. The difficulties connected with this tremendous task could not have been imagined. Are the Germans creating a new wall in the heads of their own people? To understand the present, it is necessary to understand the past. This is a well known wisdom.
During this course, we will examine united Germany and the problems between people in the East and West by investigating selected periods of German history from the end of World War II to the unification in 1990. This will enable us to better understand the current difficulties in Germany. In our investigation, we will explore historical and political issues (including the analysis of historical portrayals in documentaries and mass media) as well as psychological and cultural topics (including biographical and literary reflections, popular culture in the form of cartoons, music as well as film).

Our goal throughout this course is to learn about German history between 1945 and 1990 and to understand contemporary united Germany, its people and society after 1990, especially the Eastern part of the new Germany. You will acquire a solid understanding of important political events after World War II leading to the foundation of two German states, events leading up to German unification, the unification process itself, and how this influenced German society to the present. The once divided city of Berlin will serve as the background of our investigation.
In Berlin, we will visit historical sites and museums that deal with issues related to post war German division and unification such as: Deutsch-Russisches Museum (German-Russian museum), Haus am Checkpoint Charlie (Checkpoint Charlie museum/ Wall museum), Dokumentationszentrum Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Documentation Center), Stasi-Gefängnis and Stasi Forschungsstätte (the former East German State Security Police prison and research center), Alliiertenmuseum (allied museum), Reichstag (German Parliament), and the Brandenburg Gate, to name a few. We will hear from people in Germany about their experiences during the Berlin Air Lift, the building of the wall, and the unification events. We will also travel to the city of Potsdam, where we will visit the historical site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945 which ultimately led to the division of the country into four occupational zones and to the later division into two states. Another day trip will take us to the city of Leipzig, a center of the protest movement of East Germans during 1989 which led to the collapse of the East German state in the fall of 1989.
The course will be divided into lecture/discussion sessions, and trips to historical relevant sites as described above.

Regular attendance and participation in class discussions is absolutely necessary in order to successfully pass this course. Important material will be presented in lectures (including occasional film screenings, depending on facilities) and selected readings (course packet, which you purchase from me before class, and which you receive in Berlin), and this material will be discussed in class. You will also learn about many historical and social issues by listening to tours in museums, and other sites.

Except for medical reasons, you are expected to be present at every single class/trip. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F for this class. This is an intensive two week course. You will only succeed in this course by being present.

Assignments are to be completed on time. Late assignments will not be accepted. Throughout the duration of this course, you are expected to write a class journal. In individual journal entries you are expected to

- reflect on the material you were presented with in lectures, tours, films
- reflect on the material you were assigned to read- articulate on your understanding of the material
- express questions about issues that were not clear to you
- evaluate the assignments according to the usefulness of our class goal.

Your journal entries can be written on separate sheets of paper which you are turning in as specified throughout the course, and you are required to turn ALL entries in to me at the end of the course. For note taking in class and on tours, I suggest you use a notebook since you will be carrying it around with you all the time.

There will be at least two exams throughout the two weeks in which you are tested on class material.

Attendance, participation, class discussion 40%
Class Journal & special assignments 30%
Exams (2) 30%

Note: You will be receiving a detailed class schedule in March. This is only an overview of course topics and on site visits.

1. Germany at the end of World War II, 1945-1949: Potsdam conference, Occupation by the Allied Powers, Berlin Air Lift

Trips:

Berlin: Deutsch-Russisches Museum, Museum Europäischer Kulturen: Die Stunde Null, Alliiertenmuseum

Potsdam: Schloss Cecilienhof

2. The foundation of two separate German States in 1949

3. Events leading to the building of the Berlin Wall

4. The Berlin Wall

Trips:

Berlin: Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Dokumentationszentrum Berliner Mauer

5. Living in East Germany and the East German State Security Police (Stasi)

Trips:

Berlin: Stasi-Museum, Stasi-Gefängnis, Leipzig: Zeitgeschichtliches Forum

6. The Peaceful Revolution of 1989

Trips:

Leipzig: Nikolaikirche, Zeitgeschichtliches Forum

7. The unification of Germany

8. Germany today

Trips:

Berlin: Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial

 

Monday, May 21 all day: classroom instruction, no tours

Tuesday, May 22 morning: - Museum Europäischer Kulturen (Die Stunde Null)

morning: - Museum Europäischer Kulturen (Die Stunde Null)

afternoon: - Alliiertenmuseum Tour and Movie

Wednesday, May 23 Day Trip to Potsdam:
- Cecilienhof Castle
- Russische Kolonie
- Sanssouci Palace

Thursday, May 24 morning: class

afternoon: Checkpoint Charlie

Friday, May 25 early morning: Exam 1 & class

mid-morning, afternoon:
- Dokumentationszentrum Berliner Mauer
10:00-11:00 Tour
11:00-12:15 Discussion with H. Richter

Saturday & Sunday, May 26 & 27 FREE WEEKEND
(Holiday weekend in Germany)

Monday, May 28 morning: DDR-Museum (Holiday in Germany)

afternoon:
- Stasi-Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen
- Stasi Headquarters Normannenstrasse

Tuesday, May 29 morning: class

noon/afternoon: Bundestag
evening: Movie Screening “Nikolaikirche”

Wednesday, May 30 Day Trip to Leipzig

- 11:00-12:30 Zeitgeschichtliches Forum
- 14:30 Nikolaikirche
- 16:00 Thomaskirche

Thursday, May 31 morning: 10:00 Holocaust Memorial

afternoon/evening:
- class, discussion with Dieter & Heike Alberts
- movie screening

Friday, June 1 Class & Final Exam

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Instructor: Dr. Simon Sibelman

Dates of course: March 19 - March 30

Location: Paris

Course Description:

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Instructor: Dr. Lane Earns (Provost and Vice Chancellor)

email: earns@uwosh.edu

Dates of course: (to be announced)

Location: Inclusive of all residencies

Overview:

This one credit course may be taken at no extra charge. Consult the on-line Syllabus for details.

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