Love / Delahoyde

Humanities 410
Section 01 [H]
Summer 2011 (May 9 – June 17)
SLN 15503
MTWThF 10:30 – 11:45
CUE 416


Dr. Michael Delahoyde
Avery Hall 355 — Washington State University
Hours: MTWTh 9:00-10:30, and by appointment.
Phone: 509-335-4832
E-mail: delahoyd@wsu.edu


LOVE IN THE ARTS


Course Description:

This course was designed as an interdisciplinary arts and humanities exploration towards appreciation of “how even such a familiar notion as love is socially constructed” (Brians). Launching from an initial distinction between Eros, Agape, and Amor, we will examine the creation of so-called Courtly Love in the Western medieval tradition, then examine a wealth of its expressions in literature, art, music, and perhaps other arts. The Shakespeare play (not Romeo and Juliet) raises some interesting issues of love as role-playing. Wuthering Heights forces us to confront themes inextricably linked with love: i.e., madness and death. We will also consider matters of canon and the purpose of literature when reading a Harlequin romance.

Although I inherited tons of materials from the original designer of this course a few years ago, this will be the first time I’ve taught it; so even if we are compressed in time by the nature of summer sessions, there will be some room to create portions of the class, and I may ask for students to supply some of the art and other resources, all to be shared online in the Angel space for the course.


Course Objectives:

To improve critical and creative thinking skills by exploring multiple perspectives on a cultural phenomenon manifested in the arts and humanities.

To increase intellectual maturation and clarification of our own values through examination of ideas and attitudes in aesthetic and cultural contexts and especially through articulation of these in academic discourse.

To improve skills and sophistication in verbal analysis through reading, discussion, and writing.


Required Texts:

Shakespeare. As You Like It. 3rd ed. Arden, 2006.
ISBN 978-1904271222. This is the text ordered at the Crimson & Gray and at the Bookie. You would, however, be fine with any scholarly edition such as the Norton or the Riverside, even the Signet or Penguin paperback (usually very accessible — even malls have Shakespeare), so long as you have act, scene, and line numbers in your responsible edition for proper documentation of the play.

Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights. 4th ed. Norton, 2002.
ISBN 978-0393978896.

The rest will come to you as hand-outs or pdfs.


Course Requirements:

A significant part of your life this semester has to become Love studies. Because classroom interaction is essential for this to be a valuable experience, more than a few absences will affect your grade regardless of causes. Here’s the math:

I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in (or submitted electronically on the Angel system), designed primarily to stimulate subsequent discussion [although it will arise anyway because the materials are so provocative (i.e., cool)] and to practice conventions for writing about the arts. At other times I will ask you to answer questions in writing in class, often ad lib responses to the reading before class discussion begins. Homework assignments and quizzes will receive numerical grades (points) and, although these writings cannot be made up (except for a couple optional writings that can take their place), the final semester totals will be curved if necessary.(30%)

You will submit two written projects of manageable length. Late papers will receive F grades; failure to turn anything in, even late, will result in an F for the course. (30%)

Your presence will be kindly requested at two exams.(30%)

Class participation and other service to the learning community will be expected (occasional group work, for example). (10%)

Some introductory advice about succeeding with homework and exams can be found here.


Students with Disabilities:

I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to participate in this class fully, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the start of the semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through the DRC (Washington Building, Room 217). Call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist: http://www.drc.wsu.edu.

Academic Integrity:

As an institution of higher education, Washington State University is committed to principles of truth and academic honesty. All members of the University community share the responsibility for maintaining and supporting these principles. When a student enrolls in Washington State University, the student assumes an obligation to pursue academic endeavors in a manner consistent with the standards of academic integrity adopted by the University. The University does not tolerate acts of academic dishonesty including any forms of cheating, plagiarism, or fabrication. Any student plagiarizing on any assignment or cheating on any exam in this class will receive an F for the course and will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct, who remind us that Washington State University reserves the right and the power to discipline or to exclude students who engage in academic dishonesty.


The Love Index


Dr. Michael Delahoyde, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of English
delahoyd@wsu.edu
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