Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - HUM 101W D100

Introduction to Global Humanities (3)

Class Number: 4593

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2024
    Wed, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to issues and concepts central to the study of the humanities around the world. Through exposure to primary materials drawn from different periods, disciplines, and regions, students will become acquainted with a range of topics and ideas relating to the study of human values and human experience. Students with credit for HUM 101 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Why are you at university? What do you hope to gain from the experience? Perhaps simply job training— or do you hope for something more, and what could that be? Together we will ponder the purposes of education and ask what value it has for us as members of communities hoping for fulfilling lives? We will be addressing these questions at a time when authoritarianism is rising in many countries; a time of increasing polarization of the wealthy and the impoverished, and all of this situated within an even wider global context of looming ecological catastrophe that demands we work together across a range of different ideologies, creeds, and identities. What, if any, connection exists between education and our collective ability to understand and address these pressing problems faced by each one of us?We will read and view works from ancient to modern times, and from different parts of the world, that present varying perspectives on the above questions.

First, we will read texts linked to two thinkers who challenged the status quo: Plato (428/427-348/347) and Zhuangzi / Chuang Tzu (ca. 369-286) to understand some of their thoughts related to, for example, justice, knowledge, truth, and meaning. We will then study the ideas cosmopolitan Indian poet, writer, musician, and artist Rabindranath Tagore, who thought that creativity and learning could pave the way for a global sense of connection and mutual understanding. We will then read diametrically opposed responses to these ideas in the writings of two women: Ayn Rand and Martha Nusbaum. Both of them refer to long-standing ideals of human cultivation and social order drawing on classical Greece, and South and East Asian writers mentioned above. Finally, we will ponder some of the points made by British-Ghanaian philosopher, Kwame Anthony Appiah, concerning culture, identity, unity, and division. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

  • Strengthen critical reading skills 

  • Strengthen critical academic writing skills 

  • Develop skills in listening and verbal formulation of responses to complex and abstract ideas 

  • Gain experience in providing critical feedback to fellow students on written assignments 

  • Heighten awareness of differing cultural perspectives on matters of fundamental importance to humanity 

Grading

  • Reading Quizzes (5) 20%
  • Two Final Essays 1,000-1,500 words 40%
  • Participation 10%
  • Final Exam 30%

NOTES:



Assignments will also include:

  • Two Draft Essays 1,000-1,500 words (Not graded but peer reviewed)
Attendance and Assignment Submissions
  • More than two unexcused absences will result in a final grade penalty of 5%
  • Late assignments will be accepted but 2% per day will be deducted from the assignment grade. 
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This course is designated B-HUM and meets the Breadth-Humanities undergraduate degree requirements. 
Students with credit for HUM 101 may not take this course for further credit.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Nussbaum, Martha. Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010.
ISBN: 978-0691173320

Rand, Ayn. The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism. New York: New American Library, Penguin Group, 1961.
ISBN: 0-451-16393-1

Rouse, W.H.D., trans. The Great Dialogues of Plato: Complete texts of The Republic, The Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Ion, Meno, Symposium. New York: Penguin, 2015.
ISBN: 978-1-101-21298-1

Watson, Burton. Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press; Revised ed. edition 1996.
ISBN: 0231105959

RECOMMENDED READING:

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Tagore, Rabindranath. The Religion of Man the Hibbard Lectures for 1930. New York: MacMillan and Company, 1931. https://archive.org/details/religionofmanbei027987mbp/page/n10 

Examined Life. Sphinx Productions. Montreal, Toronto: National Film Board of Canada; Sphinx Productions, 2008 (Available through National Film Board of Canada web site). 

Appiah, Kwame Anthony. The Lies that Bind (There is a compelling book by this title, a series of BBC lectures, and an interview. We will watch the interview, though I do highly recommend Appiah’s BBC Reith Lectures.)


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html