Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Introduction to Humanities (Online)

HU 1010-SW1

Course: HU 1010-SW1
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies
CRN: 33022

Course Description

A survey of some of the most important literary, philosophical, artistic, and musical monuments of Western culture from the Greeks to the present. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Humanities

Required Texts

Required Textbook

Fiero, Gloria K. (2024). Landmarks in Humanities, 2024 Release. New York: McGraw-Hill [ISBN 9781266360022] https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/landmarks-in-humanities-fiero.html?viewOption=student

Disclaimer: The above resource provides information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Southern Utah University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in this resource.

Additional Materials Needed for Learning

  1. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
  2. Internet access (broadband recommended)
  3. Canvas 
  4. Microsoft Word or Google Docs
  5. Use Google Chrome as your browser

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of Humanities 1010, students will be able to: 
  • CLO1 (GE HU 2.2.1): Examine how the humanities artifacts (such as oral narratives, literature, philosophy, media, and artworks) express the human condition.
  • CLO 2  (GE HU 2.2.2): Explain how the humanities artifacts take on meaning within networks or systems (such as languages, cultures, values, and worldviews) that account for the complexities and uncertainties of the human condition. 
  • CLO 3 (GE HU 2.2.3): Analyze humanities artifacts according to humanities methodologies, such as close analysis, questioning, reasoning, interpretation, and critical thinking.
  • CLO 4 (GE HU 2.2.4): Compare and contrast diverse humanistic perspectives across cultures, communities, and/or time periods to explain how people make meaning of their lives.
  • CLO 5 (GE HU 2.2.5): Using humanities perspectives, reflect on big questions related to aesthetics, values, meaning, and ethics and how those apply to their own lives.
Humanities 1010 satisfies the Humanities breadth designation because its survey of literary, philosophical, artistic, and musical traditions directly engages students in examining, explaining, analyzing, and comparing/contrasting humanities artifacts across cultures and time periods. Using humanities perspectives, students will also reflect on big questions related to aesthetics, values, meaning, and ethics and learn how those apply to their own lives. 
Alignment with USHE Board Policy R470, Humanities Essential Learning Outcomes:
Essential Outcome | Course Learning Outcome | Where it is Assessed
Examine  | CLO 1 (GE HU 2.2.1): Examine how the humanities artifacts (such as oral narratives, literature, philosophy, media, and artworks) express the human condition. | Reflection essays; discussion prompts; end-of-module review assignments
Explain  | CLO 2  (GE HU 2.2.2): Explain how the humanities artifacts take on meaning within networks or systems (such as languages, cultures, values, and worldviews) that account for the complexities and uncertainties of the human condition.  | Reflection essays;  discussion prompts; end-of-module review assignment
Analyze  | CLO 3 (GE HU 2.2.3): Analyze humanities artifacts according to humanities methodologies, such as close analysis, questioning, reasoning, interpretation, and critical thinking. | Reflection essays; review assignments;  discussion prompts; end-of-module review assignment
Compare and Contrast  | CLO 4 (GE HU 2.2.4): Compare and contrast diverse humanistic perspectives across cultures, communities, and/or time periods to explain how people make meaning of their lives. | Reflection essays; review assignments;  discussion prompts; end-of-module review assignment
Apply  | CLO 5 (GE HU 2.2.5): Using humanities perspectives, reflect on big questions related to aesthetics, values, meaning, and ethics and how those apply to their own lives.  | Final presentation/reflection;  discussion prompts; reflection essays
Durable Skills and High-Impact Practices
Using the AAC&U Values Rubric and NACE Career Readiness Competencies, this course intentionally integrates the following durable skills:
  • Communication (Reflection essays, Discussions, final presentation/reflection) Students develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, visually, kinesthetically, through design or aurally.
  • Critical Thinking (Reflection Essays, Discussions, Reviews, Final Presentation/Reflection) Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
  • Inquiry and Analysis (Reflection Essays, Final Presentation/Reflection) Students systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments.  Analysis: Students break complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. 
  • Information Literacy (Reflection Essays) Students identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically. They thoroughly analyze their own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.
  • Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (Reflection Essays, Discussions, Reviews, Final Presentation, Activities) Students demonstrate that they are more culturally self-aware and aware of the cultures of others, have honed their verbal and nonverbal communication skills to negotiate shared understandings, ask complex questions and seek out understanding of other cultures, and are able to suspend judgment and initiate interactions with culturally different others.

Course Requirements

Course Assessments| Course Outcomes
Reviews                       1-5
Discussions                 1-5
Activities                      1-5
Final Reflection            1-5

Assignment Outline

LEARN
Readings, Videos, Presentations, Websites
APPLY
7 Discussions
You will use your reflective essay to participate in a discussion each week. Your discussion post will be a 2-3 minute video of you sharing the 3 required components of your reflection essay with your classmates. Then you will reply to two other students videos with a 1 minute reply video. Reply videos should have substance, add to what the other student is saying, enhance understanding, add perspective, etc. Videos of you saying, "Hey dog, good job" are not sufficient. Please include your opinions, but make sure you include sources to validate your opinion. The purpose of the discussions is to provide a venue in which you can reflect and express your thoughts with others in a positive and productive way, deepen your understanding, and broaden your worldview. 100 points each
3 Activities
You will have 4 activity assignments to choose from and you need only complete 3 of these.  This will allow you some flexibility on the types of activities you prefer to tackle.  Each has specific instructions and due dates. These activities will help you explore your own culture and discover what makes you human. 200 points each
7 Reviews
You will have 7 Knowledge Reviews. Each review will consist of up to 10 multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions; and, 1-3 short essay questions. These will be timed but you may use your textbook, notes, and videos. The reviews will ensure that you have grasped the humanities basics from the provided content. 50 points each
7 Reflective Essays
You will have 7 Reflection Essays in this course. Each will have a prompt to which you will respond in a 400-word minimum narrative. This essay should include: 1) a specific connection to your life experience, 2) reflection on specific course content, and, 3) at least two source references from the course textbook, videos, articles, and websites. These references should have in-text citations and be cited in a references list. Please include your opinions, but make sure you include sources to support them. These reflection essays will show that you are making personal connections to the content and gaining enduring understandings that will help them to be influential global citizens. 100 points each  
Final Reflection Presentation 
During Finals Week you will meet with your class and give a presentation. This presentation should be a culmination of your reflections and new knowledge. Specific instructions will be provided. 250 points

Grade Scheme

This course will be graded by points earned from four categories totaling 2600 possible points.               
Activities (3) | 600 points
Reflection Essays (7) | 700 points
Reviews (7) | 350 points
Discussions/Experiences (7) | 700 points
Final Reflection Presentation | 250 points
Grading Scale
Grade | Points
A | 2418 + 
A- | 2340 - 2417
B+ | 2262 - 2339
B | 2158 - 2261
B- | 2080 - 2157
C+ | 1982 - 2079
C | 1898 - 1981
C- | 1820 - 1897
D+ | 1742 - 1819
D | 1638 - 1741
D- | 1560 - 1637
F |        0 - 1559
 

Course Outline

Course Outline

Module 1 | Origins of Humanity and Classicism
     Learn | Readings Chapter 1-3, Videos 
     Apply |  Discussion, Essay 1, Review 1, Activity 1

Module 2 | Roman Empire and Spread of Religion
     Learn | Readings Chapters 3-4, Videos 
     Apply |  Discussions, Essay 2, Review 2

Module 3 | Christianity and the Middle Ages
     Learn | Readings Chapters 5-6, Videos 
     Apply | Discussions, Essay 3, Review 3, Activity 2

Module 4 | Renaissance and Reformation 
     Learn | Readings Chapters 7-8, Videos 
     Apply |  Discussions, Essay 4, Review 4

Module 5 | Exploration and Enlightenment
     Learn | Readings Chapters 9-11, Videos 
     Apply | Discussions, Essay 5, Review 5, Activity 3

Module 6 | Romanticism and Materialism
     Learn | Readings Chapter 12-13, Videos 
     Apply | Discussions, Essay 6, Review 6

Module 7 | Modernism and Globalism
     Learn | Readings Chapters 14-15, Videos 
     Apply | Discussions, Essay 7, Review 7

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor?
It is my goal to:
  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within 7 days from the due date
Late Assignment Policy
Course Assignments should be submitted on time. If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:
  1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
  2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
  3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
  4. Group projects, including group discussions and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.  
Extra Credit
If you follow the instructions and submit all of your assignments for the course, extra credit will not be needed.

Attendance Policy

Attendance 

While many of your assignments and resources can be found on Canvas, your physical attendance is required in this course. You will participate in group discussions or experiences each class period that will play a significant role in your education and your final grade. If you have extraneous circumstances, please reach out to your instructor to ensure that you get the help you need.

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Additional Course Information
Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your well-being. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.  

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and the Student Conduct Code. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.