INTR 101: Introduction to the Liberal Arts
Fall Semester, 2009
11:00 MTWThF
HT 122

Instructor Dr. Christopher G. Fasano
Professor of Physics
Office: HT 107
Office Telephone: 457-2387

Opening Remarks

The purpose of Introduction to the Liberal Arts is to get you to begin to think in new, careful, subtle and sophisticated ways. It is the beginning of your new journey--a journey into the world of ideas and the life of the mind. The course theme is “Exemplary Lives” --and in this course, we will begin to ask the question: “What makes a life exemplary?” As we read, write, and discuss, we will encounter lives lived in pursuit of different goals. We will see lives that have been complex and flawed. We will see how individuals have seen their own lives, and and the lives of others. We will consider how the notion of exemplary might be tied to time and place.

I hope that this course is the beginning of a journey that does not end with graduation. Here you will begin to think about, analyze, and understand problems of the human condition in new ways. It is the development of this thinking process that is our ultimate goal. I am very excited to be participating at the beginning of your own personal journey.

Texts and Timing

Autobiography: Discovery of Self (Common Text)
The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway
(Approximately 3 weeks)

Biography: Discovery of Others (Instructor Choice)
Miss Leavitt’s Stars: The Untold Story of the Woman who Discovered How to Measure the Universe by George Johnson
(Approximately 3 weeks)

History: Discovery in Time (Instructor Choice from List)
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Robert F. Kennedy
(Approximately 3 weeks)

Science: Discovery in the Natural World (Instructor Choice)
Isaac's Storm : A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson
(Approximately 3 weeks)

Global: Discovery in Place (Common Text)
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga, Kwame Anthony Appiah
(Approximately 3 weeks)

We may add additional texts, readings, and other auxiliary materials.

ILA writing requirements:

A. An introductory, thesis-based essay of approximately 500 to 750 words that will be assigned during the first week of class. Your instructor will expect you to revise this essay

B. Two formal 500-1250 word thesis-focused essays and one formal 500-1250 word essay of autobiographical or biographical nature.

C. Informal Writing: You will be expected to write informally on a regular basis. Informal writing might include journals, free writing, convocation descriptions and others. As with all college writing, your professors will expect these pieces to be carefully drafted and well thought-out before submission.

D. A library-based research exercise as determined by your instructor. This exercise (oral or written) will focus on the collection, evaluation and citation of sources.

E. A comprehensive essay final exam.

To satisfy this requirement, we will have a writing assignment due every Monday at midnight. Some of these assignments will be formal papers/essays or drafts of those essays, while others may be journal essays or free writing.

Class Notebook

To help you maintain the thread of our discussions, you are required to take notes and keep a notebook for this class. You should write a brief summary of the class (a paragraph) for each class, in addition to notes and ideas that you jot down. Your notebook should include informal writing assignments from class, notes that you have taken while reading and ideas that you have during the course. You will be required to turn the notebook in at the end of the final exam period. I will expect to see entries from every class day and every class activity (convocations, etc.).

Grading Guidelines

50% Formal Writing, Informal Writing, and Research/Library Assignment
20% Class Participation/Oral communication in class
30% Quizzes, exams, final exam.

Note: The first and last papers of the course will used to assess the course.

Class Participation

I expect that you will come to class having read the readings and prepared to participate in the discussion on them. I expect that you will make a contribution to the discussion during every class and I will record that you have made a contribution. The more contributions, the better! I will not penalize you for being quiet if you are prepared, but I will reward you for your participation.

Convocations

Convocations are talks or performances that are done for the entire ILA class. They are held in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium and they give us a special opportunity to learn. Convocations are given by speakers invited from off campus or by special invitation to speakers from on campus. Since these are special events, I will remind you of a few rules.

1. Arrive at your seat promptly. If you delayed, proceed as quietly as you can to an available open seat.
2. Be polite and attentive with proper posture (sitting up, listening, taking notes)
3. Turn your cell phone OFF before you enter the auditorium and stow it until the convocation is over and you are dismissed.
4. Be prepared to discuss the convocation (orally and in writing) in future classes, exams, etc.

Please remember that these are special events and you do not want to embarrass yourself or disappoint me or your colleagues.

Special Events

Study Skills in the Highlander Room
September 18, 11:00 AM

Wackerle Career Center (Poling Hall)
October 23, 11:00 AM

Dinner at the President’s House
November 10, Arrive at 6:25PM (Note: Dress nicely).

Attendance

You are expected and required to attend all seminar classes and required meetings of this course. Since this course is a seminar course that revolves about class discussion, it is particularly important for you to be in class to benefit from all that your fellow student-scholars and instructor have to offer. Your third unexcused absence will result in failure in this course (Gren Book).

Attendance at all classes and convocations is mandatory. Please contact me as soon as possible if you know that you must miss a class, or as soon as possible after a missed class. You will be given a failing grade for the course on your fourth unexcused absence.
Adequate causes include:
1. A medical problem that is documented by a doctor
2. A family emergency that is documented by the Dean of Students office.
3. A college sanctioned event (class trip or sports activity authorized by the PE department) You must obtain my approval at least one class before the absence.
4. Other causes entirely at the discretion of the instructor.

Exams and Quizzes

I will announce Exam dates at least one week before each exam. You should expect three exams. I reserve the right to give short “pop” quizzes/writing assignments on the reading to encourage you to keep up with the assignments.

Academic Honesty

I expect that all Monmouth College students will act as scholars of the highest integrity. I will deal severely with cases of Academic Dishonesty. Penalties for “Academic Dishonesty” are described in the Monmouth College Catalog. We will discuss this more throughout the course.

Final Exam

The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2009 at 8:00 AM. The final exam is cumulative.

Contacting Dr. Fasano

Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00
TWF 5:00-6:30
T 8:30-2:00
Late Sunday Afternoons
By appointment

Home: 718 E. 2nd Ave.
Monmouth, IL 61462

You are welcome to call my home between 8:00AM and 9:00PM.