HUM 201X Unity in the Arts

Core Assessment Aesthetic Appreciation (also see ART 200X, Interrelation of Art, Drama, and Music)

HUM 201X Unity in the Arts is one of two introductory courses (the other one being HUM 202 Unity in the Sciences) that has been offered by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities as a foundation course for the Humanities program. When the Core Requirements were introduced HUM 201 became one of the alternatives to fulfill the requirement of "Aesthetic Appreciation."

Objectives:

HUM 201X is a course that unites all the arts and covers their interdependent relationships as humanistic and creative expressions. The students are introduced to practice and theory of the arts. Functions and purposes of the arts are explained in a multicultural and historical context. The Students are expected to absorb factual knowledge about the creation of art and the importance of aesthetic experience across the ages, with the primary goal to better understand artistic creativity and critical judgment about the arts and the role of artists in everyday life. The unifying idea of this course is based upon the assumption that all artistic expressions are the products of the human mind, of human creativity, of human needs and aspirations, and conversely that all such products of human thought are pertinent objects of study.

The students are required to produce evidence of their learning experiences in classroom presentations and discussions. Following specific guidelines the students are required to prepare several short essays and critiques. A textbook evaluation is conducted in the form of a questionnaire. A written research project and a self-evaluation are part of the final requirements. The students have always been encouraged to analyze course content and personal growth as part of the comprehensive final.

Assessment tools and procedures:

  1. Samples of the students' papers, essays, and critiques that reflect how the course fulfills the core objectives.
  2. Samples of comprehensive final exams.
  3. Student questionnaire (textbook evaluation).
  4. Student questionnaire (core requirement).
  5. Review of course materials.

Sample of exit questionnaire (Student Survey)