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HUM 231-0100

HUMANISTIC PERSPECTIVES
MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m.
ADM 323 for film viewing
Fall 2015, Aug 24Dec. 18
3 credit hours
Instructor: Dr. Kimberly Cox
E-mail: kcox@csc.edu
Office: Old Admin 208
Office Phone: (308) 432-7003
Office Hours: Mon. 2-3 p.m.; Tues. 9-11 a.m.; Wed. 12-1 p.m.; Thurs. 10-11 a.m. Advising in
Crites 112
Catalog Description: The formal study of cultural ideas and values as they achieve expression
through the arts and philosophy. Themes and topics may vary.
Course Overview: Our theme for the second half of this class is the recent rise of zombie
culture. What happens to cultural ideas and values in a post-apocalyptic world? We will explore
this question in relation to zombie films and television series that have grown in popularity over
the past fifteen years. We will query who counts as human, what determines humanity as
civilization breaks down, and how we distinguish between human and humane in the face of
the zombie apocalypse. Additionally, ask yourself, why now? Why have zombies become so
popular recently? As vampire culture dwindled, zombie culture rose. Why? Consider current
political topics such as consumerism, environmentalism, warfare (bioweaponry), and scientific
advancement (e.g., cloning, organ transplantation, etc.). To what extent might zombie films and
series reveal contemporary anxieties about these topics.
Required Text(s): Netflix subscription
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a broader perspective on the human condition
through different mediums of instruction, primarily zombie film and the battle to save humanity
during the last fourth of the semester. The specific learning outcomes for the student are:
1. Assess what distinguishes human lives from nonhuman ones.
2. Analyze how people have been historically categorized as human.
3. Explore to what extent society and culture influence human perspectives on ethic and
morality.
4. Inquire into contemporary anxieties about how such human perspectives may change as
social structures break down.
5. Argue how zombie films reflect such anxieties.
Essential Studies Philosophy: Students are members of a broader society dependent on their
meaningful contributions for its success. Chadron State College embraces this vision,
recognizing the need to serve the region within the context of an increasingly global and more
complex world in need of creative solutions to a never-ending supply of challenges and

opportunities. The Essential Studies Program at CSC provides an integrated, coherent learning
experience to prepare students for a life of responsible inquiry.
Essential Studies Skill #7: Students will examine the human condition through the different
modes of inquiry as illustrated in the visual and performing arts, literature, philosophy, or
religion.
The humanities focus on the study of value in human life. They explore the way that
human beings create and share meaning as individuals, communities, cultures, and
across cultures through time. Through humanistic study, students are expected to learn
how different methods of inquiry can be used to convey perspectives on the human
condition. Students will also learn to apply the humanistic perspective to values,
experiences, and meanings in their own lives.
Method(s) of Instruction: The main assumption of this course is that you learn by doing. The
goal is for you to hone your critical skills and learn how to talk critically and philosophically
about literature and film. To do this, YOU must be the ones who drive the class conversation. I
will provide necessary background on generic terms, historical periods, and films and their
directors, but our emphasis will be on the application of those ideas in class discussion and on
how we determine what information is relevant to our reading.
Course Requirements:
1. Weekly Quizzes: Every Friday by 6:00 p.m. I will post a quiz to our course website
(humanismandzombies.weebly.com) and you must complete it and submit it BEFORE
CLASS the following Monday. Late submissions will be docked. Its open book, open
notes, so know that I will be looking for thoughtfully crafted responses.
2. Film Watching: The majority of the films that we consider for the rest of the semester
will be shown and discussed in class; however, you will be watching specific episodes of
television series at home on Netflix, and you may decide to do your final paper and
presentation on a zombie film of your choice as long as you get my okay and connect it
with the larger themes and topics of discussion for the class.
NOTE: Some of the films contain explicit sexual themes, racial themes, violent themes,
and religious themes. We will be treating all of these texts as cultural artifacts, not
manifestos on sexuality, faith, or politics. I am available to discuss any discomfort or
questions that you may have, but I will NOT change the readings. They are essential to
getting a sense of the major themes present in literature across time periods, continents,
and genres.
3. Final Exam: On the day of the final you each will be responsible for giving a conference
presentation on a film (or films) of your choice. We will have a guest speaker who will
give an example of such a talk. Its a short paper (12-16 mins. which translates into 6-8
pgs. Double-spaced). I will be looking for original analyses of the films, thoughtful
presentations, and engagement with others ideas during the Q & A sessions after each
presentation. This will be your chance to present your ideas on the course subject matter
through a reading of a film (or films) of your choice.

Late Work: Late work will NOT be accepted unless you have made arrangements with me
BEFOREHAND!!!!!
Grading Procedures: COMPLETION OF ALL ASSIGNMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE
A PASSING GRADE IN THE COURSE!!! Your final grade in the course will be determined
based on how well your written work demonstrated your achievement of the course
competencies. Also, bear in mind that a grade of A or B is awarded to work that goes above and
beyond. Work that adequately meets the minimum requirements will receive a grade of C, not A.
You will receive a midterm grade just before the drop deadline to give you a sense of how youre
doing in the class. That grade may fluctuate throughout that semester and is NOT THE SAME as
your final grade in the course. The final grade is based on the following scale and I will round up
or down at my discretion:
LETTER GRADE
A
B
C
D
F

PERECENTAGE RANGE
93-100%
81-92%
70-80%
60-69%
0-59%

Your final grade for the course will be determined according to the following percentages:
ASSIGNMENT
PERCENTAGE
Previous Grades
40%
Short Writing Assignment
5%
Weekly Quizzes
35%
Final Presentation
20%
TOTAL
100%
NOTE: If you do NOT complete the final presentation, you will FAIL the course!!!
NSCS Board Policy 4141:
A 3-credit hour course should have approximately 135 hours of learning activities. A good rule
of thumb is 2 hours of student learning activities outside of class for every hour spent in class.
However, some classes for this course will require more preparation and others less. Also, the
actual time will vary from student to student and from week to week. My expectation is that the
following reflects the anticipated allotment of time to be spent for ENG 233:
ACTIVITY
Direct Instruction
Reading and Analysis
Written Homework
Class Discussion (including preparation)
Group & Creative Projects
Exams (including preparation)
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS

HOURS PER ACTIVITY


20
35
25
25
20
10
135

Attendance: Every unexcused absence after the first two will result in minus 5% points from
your final grade. If you must be absent for an excused reason, contact me ahead of time.
Course Schedule: Available on our website: humanismandzombies.weebly.com
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to conduct themselves in conformity with the highest
standards with regard to academic honesty. Violation of college, state, or federal standards with
regard to plagiarism, cheating, or falsification of official records will not be tolerated. Students
violating such standards will be subject to discipline, as per campus policies articulated in the
Student Handbook. A full copy of the handbook can be found at
http://www.csc.edu/documents/publications/csc_student_handbook.pdf. Academic Policies,
including academic dishonesty, can be found between pages 33-35.
Plagiarism can take many forms. Some of the most common are as follows:
1. Using someone elses work (whether published or not) and passing it off as your own.
2. Quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing from a text without including proper citations.
3. Submitted work from another class without informing your instructor (this is plagiarizing
yourself).
4. Copying someone elses work.
Basically, plagiarism refers to trying to pass off someone elses work as your own original work.
Plagiarism WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in this class. For the first offense, you will receive a
FAILING grade on the assignment with no chance to make it up. For the second, you will FAIL
THE CLASS!!!! If you are unsure whether or not youre plagiarizing, ASK!! If you feel that you
dont have time to complete the assignment and feel the impulse to plagiarize, talk to me. Id
rather discuss an extension than have to fail you. Additionally, all work will be submitted
through Turn It In, which automatically checks for plagiarism.
Civility: Civil behavior enhances the learning environment, and is expected at all times. Courtesy
and respect for others are essential elements to the learning process. Courses offered through
Chadron State College welcome a difference of opinion, discourse, and debate within a civil
environment.
Nondiscrimination Policy/Equal Educational Opportunity Policy: Chadron State College is
committed to an affirmative action program to encourage admission of minority and female
students and to provide procedures which will assure equal treatment of all students. The
College is committed to creating an environment for all students that is consistent with
nondiscriminatory policy. To that end, it is the policy of Chadron State College to administer its
academic employment programs and related supporting services in a manner which does not
discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or marital status. Student requests for reasonable accommodation
based upon documented disabilities should be presented within the first two weeks of the
semester, or within two weeks of the diagnosis, to the disabilities contact person (432-6268;
Crites 011).
Disclaimer: This syllabus and schedule is articulated as an expectation of class topics, learning
activities, and expected student learning. However, the instructor RESERVES THE RIGHT TO
MAKE CHANGES in this schedule that would result in enhanced or more effective learning on
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the part of the students. These modifications will not substantially change the intent or outcomes
of this course and will be done within the policies and procedures of Chadron State College.
CSC Mission & Master Academic Plan (MAP)
Mission Statement
Chadron State College (CSC) will enrich the quality of life in the region by providing educational
opportunities, research, service and programs that contribute significantly to the vitality and diversity of the
region.
MAP Priorities, 2014-2018
CSC is committed to the achievement of tasks/projects that align with the following Priorities:
1) Continue to implement and improve the Essential Studies Program (ESP).
2) Define, develop, and promote co-curricular experiences that foster undergraduate and graduate student
engagement.
3) Create and implement a strategic vision(s) for teaching and learning technologies, teaching and learning
center (TLC) and the library learning commons (LLC).
4) Evaluate campus-wide processes for student recruitment, advising and retention; recommend a plan for
continuous improvement.
5) Study, create, and implement a strategic vision for the graduate studies program.
6) Evaluate campus-wide processes for faculty and staff recruitment and retention; recommend a plan for
continuous improvement.

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