HMXP 102: Spring 10

The Human Experience: Who Am I?

Section 026 TR2:00-3:15, Kinard 206

Section 025 TR 3:30-4:45, Kinard 206

Professor Information

  • Dr. William P. Kiblinger
  • Office: Kinard 326
  • Office Hours: W 1:00-4:00; F 1:00-2:00; or by appointment
  • Office Phone/Voicemail: 803-323-4598 (email preferred)
  • Email:

Course Description

HMXP 102 is the second part of WinthropUniversity’s series of academic Touchstones. Through your reading, writing, and speaking, the course develops the skills that WRIT 101 introduced and prepares you for the critical thinking that CRTW 201 requires. We will examine the self in various contexts that structure the readings in our anthology (e.g., education, community, nature, and the sacred). Since discussion will take up all of our time in class, you are expected to write your papers outside of class. The course requires three papers, two revisions, three presentations, regular class participation, regular comments on the discussion board of Turnitin.com (at least ten substantial comments), and a final reflection essay. I will function as your facilitator, coach, and co-learner; therefore, the success or failure of our class sessions is largely up to you. Passing my section of HMXP 102 requires all of the following: contributions to class discussions, two group presentations, two written summaries of the reading, three papers, and a final reflection essay. Finally, do not assume that you are required to do only what I tell you to do: active engagement calls for your own initiative and ingenuity.

Prerequisite: C- or better in WRIT 101.

Graduation requirement: Must have grade of C- or better (and have a C- or better to take CRTW 201).

Student Learning Outcomes and Methods (of HMXP 102 and General Education more broadly)

Outcome 1: Ability to engage in reasoned inquiry and self-reflection regarding the various values, beliefs, attitudes, and habits that define the nature and quality of life.

Method: Read material thoroughly and think critically in order to make connections between the material and your understanding of yourself and others.

Outcome 2: Ability to model reflective participation in a learning community by communicating with others effectively in speech and writing.

Method: Share your reactions and understanding with your classmates and learn to understand other perspectives by listening carefully and communicating clearly in class discussion and written assignments.

Outcome 3: Ability to recognize theconstructed nature of knowledge, i.e., the way in which knowledge arises from a diversity of perspectives.

Method: Learn to identify multiple perspectives on issues and then engage this diversity of perspectives by taking ownership of them as possible viewpoints within yourself.

Outcome 4: Ability to appreciate the character of scientific endeavor and the biological nature human experience.

Method: Read and discuss the scientific research relating to human beings and their impact on the environment, thereby informing our values with further scientific understanding.

Required Texts

Books

  • WinthropUniversity, ed. The Human Experience: Who Am I?. 6th ed. Littleton, MA: Tapestry, 2009. Print.
  • Harris, Muriel. Prentice Hall Reference Guide: Second Custom Edition for WinthropUniversity. Revised. New York: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009. Print.
  • Des Pres, Terrence. The Survivor: An Anatomy of Life in the Death Camps. New York: OxfordUniversity Press, 1976.

Electronic Texts (Dacus Library Reserve)

  • Michael J. Sandel, “The Case Against Perfection,”The Atlantic Monthly, April 2004 vol. 293.

Requirements and Grading

  • Three Papers: The first two will be considered “process” assignments, which means they will be graded with that in mind; the last will be graded according to the highest standard (600 points; 200 points apiece). All papers must be submitted to
  • Assignments: There will be a number of short written and oral assignments on the reading for the day to be submitted on turnitin and brought to class for discussion (200 points altogether)
  • Participation: Class participation, including comments on (100 points).
  • Final Exam: Reflection essay (100 points).

Grading

Class Participation: 100 pointsGrading scale:

Assignments:200 points 930-1000: A900-929: A-

Papers (3): 600 points870-899: B+830-869: B800-829: B-

Final Exam: 100 points770-799: C+730-769: C700-729: C-

TOTAL:1000 points670-699: D+630-669: D600-629: D-

0-599: F

Notes:

  • A minimum of 600 points (60%) is required to pass this course.However, HMXP 102 requires that you earn a C-(700 points; 70%) or better in order to avoid repeating it.
  • You must complete all three papers and the reflection essay andparticipate in class discussions to pass this class. A clear omission in any of these areas means failure for the course no matter how many points you have. In particular, if you are a presence but not a participant, you will have to repeat the course. HMXP 102 involves participating in the community of learner, not just observing it.

Rubrics for Papers, Presentations, and Class Discussion

  • Papers: Rubrics will be presented and discussed in preparation for the first paper.
  • Participation: Participation in discussion is a crucial element of this class, and you are expected to speak up at every class meeting. If you do not volunteer comments, I or one of the discussion leaders will encourage you to share your thoughts.Solid, thoughtful comments on the board will bolster your participation grade, but they are no substitute for active engagement in class discussion. Throughout the course I will assess your level of preparation for class and your contribution to the learning environment of the class. I will judge your contribution with the following indicators in mind:
  • Can you answer questions about the current readings, and integrate the material with previous classes?
  • Do you have written notes on your reading assignment?
  • Do you ask good questions? Do you listen carefully to your peers?
  • Do you demonstrate intellectual curiosity?
  • Do you arrive on time with a positive attitude?
  • Do you participate constructively in small-group projects, discussions, and activities?

Policies

  • Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. More than two (2) absences will lower your grade; fewer than two will improve it.
  • Conferences: You are welcome to schedule an appointment with me at any time during the semester. Come for guidance as you develop a paper and come as a group to discuss the class discussions for which you are responsible.
  • Students with Disabilities: WinthropUniversity is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 323-3290 and make an appointment to see a professional staff member. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
  • Safe Zone: Regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age and ability, you will be treated and respected as a human being. Your continued presence in this course signals your commitment to act likewise.
  • Paper format: Word-processed double-spaced papers are required. Print only on one side of the page. Put your name and course number at the top of page one, number your pages, give your paper a title. Staple your pages together; do not use paper clips or bend the pages over at the top. Use the MLA format in the Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage (this means that you must have parenthetical citations and a list of work(s) cited).
  • Student Conduct: HMXP 102 students are expected to cultivate personal and academic integrity. Academic misconduct will be addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code and the University Undergraduate Catalog. Students will submit all major written assignments through Turnitin.
  • Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")–whether you use that material in a quotation, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. It is also a violation of the Student Conduct Code ( Plagiarism will result in failure on that assignment. Especially serious cases or second offences can result in failure in the course.
  • Duplicate Submission of Papers: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission in advance from me and the other instructor involved. This is to conform to the Student Code of Conduct, §V, which states: "Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to…presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved" ( Furthermore, a duplicate paper must have some significant difference from its prior form; that is, it must be tailored to fit the new context of this class.
  • Late Papers: Papers are due in class at the beginning of class on the due dates. A paper turned in within 24 hours will lose one letter grade. If you are more than 24 hours late with a final draft, you will not be allowed to hand it in. In the event of an emergency, please notify me before the due date by e-mail or voice mail. Official paper documentation of your excuse is required with a late submission. Computer problems are not an excuse for late work, so be sure to back up your work.
  • WritingCenter: The WritingCenter provides support for all students in all Winthrop classes free of charge. It is located in 242 Bancroft (ext. 2138). Check its web page for current hours (
  • Turnitin: All papers must be submitted to turnitin.com. Please register with the site if you have not previously done so. The URL is Your class ID and password for this course are:

2:00 Section: ID = 3041359

3:30 Section:ID = 3041358

Syllabus may be changed with a class announcement.

Date / Theme / Reading / Assignments and Activities
Week 1
Tues.
Jan. 12 / Introduce the course and syllabus. / HE = The Human Experience: Who Am I? / Introduction
Thurs.
Jan. 14 / Unit One: The Self and Education/The Autonomous Self /
  1. Plato, HE 1
/ TBA: reading assignments will be announced one week prior to due date
Week 2
Tues.
Jan. 19 / Autonomy /
  1. Plato, HE 4
/ TBA
Thurs.
Jan. 21 / Metaphors and Communication: How Do We Understand One Another? /
  1. Lakoff/Johnson, HE 2
  2. D. Bohm, HE 3
/ TBA
Week 3
Tues.
Jan. 26 / The Autonomous Self: Thinking and Acting Freely /
  1. Mill, HE 7
  2. Friedman, HE8
/ TBA
Thurs.
Jan. 28 / The Autonomous Self: Self-Reliance /
  1. Emerson, HE12
/ TBA
Week 4
Tues.
Feb. 2 / Unit Two: The Self and the Community / Alienation and Autonomy / Film in class
Thurs.
Feb. 4 / Alienation and Autonomy / Finish film and discuss
Week 5
Tues.
Feb. 9 / 1. Discussion
2. Peer Editing of Paper 1
Thurs.
Feb. 11 / Race and Identity /
  1. Myers, HE 13
  2. DuBois, HE 14
  3. See Crash by this day
/ Submit Paper 1 on Turnitin.
Week 6
Tues.
Feb. 16 / Race and Identity /
  1. Loury, HE 15
  2. McIntosh, HE 16
/ TBA
Thurs.
Feb. 18 / Gender and Identity /
  1. Gilligan, HE 18
/ TBA
Week 7
Tues.
Feb. 23 / Consumerism /
  1. Swimme, HE 23
  2. Marx, HE 24
/ TBA
Thurs.
Feb. 25 / Economic alienation /
  1. Marx, HE 25
/ TBA
Week 8
Tues.
March 2 / Unit Three: The Self and Nature /
  1. Winter, HE 5
/ TBA
Thurs.
March 4 / Evolution /
  1. Ridley, HE 31
  2. Ridley, HE 32
/ TBA
Week 9
Tues. March 9 / Evolution and Human Nature / 1.M. Sandel, “The Case Against Perfection” (Dacus reserve) / TBA
Thurs.
March 11 / NO CLASS / Submit Paper 2
Spring Break / Spring Break / Spring Break
Week 10
Tues.
March 23 / Climate Change / None / Film in class
Thurs.
March 25 / Ecological Crisis / 1. Wilson, HE 35 / Finish film and discuss.
Week 11
Tues.
March 30 / Deep Ecology and Biophilia /
  1. Bodian, HE 37
  2. Orr, HE 38
/ TBA
Thurs.
April 1 / Unit Four: The Self and the Sacred Existentialism and the Soul /
  1. Tillich, HE 41
  2. Moore, HE 45
/ TBA
Week 12
Tues.
April 6 / Self as Witness / Des Pres, The Survivor, chapters 1 & 2 / TBA
Thurs.
April 8 / Dignity of Selfhood / Des Pres, The Survivor, chapters 3 & 4 / TBA
Week 13
Tues.
April 13 / The Social Self / Des Pres, The Survivor, chapter 5 / TBA
Thurs.
April 15 / The Symbolic Self / Des Pres, The Survivor, chapter 6 / TBA
Week 14
Tues.
April 20 / The Desublimated Self / Des Pres, The Survivor, chapter 7 / TBA
Thurs.
April 22 / No Class / Submit Paper 3

HMXP 102-026 TR2:00-3:15------Final Exam on Wednesday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m.

HMXP 102-025 TR 3:30-4:45------Final Exam on Friday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m.

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