Human Dignity
Readings on Human Dignity
C Module 3, 2008-2009
English, Level III
Syllabus
Introduction
Historically, human dignity is not a given. The term is most often associated with Renaissance and Enlightenment thinkers, who found in the Greeks an ideal, and is in principal expressed in the statements “Man is the measure of all things” and “All men are created equal.” In this course we read and discuss writings on human dignity from antiquity to the present. Although we consider the historical contexts of the works we examine, our main objective is to understand “human dignity” as a universal concept or truth that punctuates human history and human literary expression.
Focus Skills
The focus skill of this course is understanding and appreciating different perspectives.
Assignments
Readings / Participation
Participation in class discussions is a central requirement of the course. Indeed participation constitutes 25% of your final grade. Class discussions are based on course readings and thus it is critical that each of us comes to class prepared—i.e., having read and thought critically about that day’s homework reading. Critical thinking, and the habits of mind we seek to develop in this course, are rooted in questions. Asking yourself questions will help prepare you for discussions and work strongly towards your participation grade.
But participation is more than contributing during discussions. Participation also means not disrupting others’ opportunities to learn. Each of us is expected to speak in-turn, not talk over others, not get up and leave while someone is speaking, and listen to and respect one another’s opinions. This means being on-time to class, because if you are late, you will disrupt us and hurt the quality of our course. I absolutely insist that we arrive to class on-time. You will lose half a letter grade from your weekly participation grade each time you are late during a given week.
In conclusion: (1) Participation equals 25% of your final grade; (2) you will receive a weekly participation grade that is based on preparedness for class and not infringing upon other’s opportunities to learn; and (3) you will lose half a letter grade from your weekly participation grade each time you are late during a given week.
Analyses (Portfolio Item)
You are required to write an analysis roughly every ten days; this amounts to three analyses per quarter. Your analyses will be based on study questions, which we will determine as a class, and should be about two pages, typed, double-spaced. Correct MLA format is expected. Note that you may not turn in an analysis late, and that you must turn in a paper-copy of your work. However, you will be allowed to make up one missed analysis each quarter with no penalty.
In conclusion: (1) Written analyses constitute 30% of your final grade; (2) written analyses should be roughly two pages, typed, double-spaced; (3) you may not turn in a written analysis late. Note: The exception to this rule is if you were absent on your due date, in which case you must turn in your written analysis the next day you are in class; (4) you may make up one missed with no penalty each quarter.
Exams (Portfolio Item)
There will be an essay exam each quarter. The exams will test your ability to construct a cogent argument and address the question of human dignity in response to a reading selection.
In conclusion: (1) The exams constitute 20% of your final grade.
Final Paper
The final paper is your chance to analyze a particular text or group of texts on an aspect of the course that you have found particularly interesting. Your paper must present a thesis, or central argument, and must have textual evidence to support that thesis. This is not a research paper, but rather an “idea” paper. Your only source is the text itself.
In conclusion: The final paper constitutes 15% of your final grade.
Point Breakdown
The following gives the breakdown of points into percentages for this course:
Participation and Discussion…………………………...25%
Weekly Presentations/Analyses…………………..……25%
Exhibition / Research Paper Benchmarks……………..15%
Research Paper………………………………………15%
Exhibition…….…………………….………………..20%
