Overview
The enduring relevance of the humanities is that they encourage us to consider a number of big ideas. What is culture? How do we go about studying it? What is the relationship between cultural artifacts and the culture in which they are created? Between artists and the creators of cultural artifacts and the things they create? How is human meaning generated through cultural creations? We humans seem driven to express and create in our search to understand and be understood.
In Project 2, you will use the ideas you have studied throughout the course in addition to the insights you have gained from your deep thinking about your chosen artifact to discuss why humans are driven to express themselves in so many ways. You will draw conclusions about the reciprocal relationship between forms of expression and the context in which they are created and experienced.
The short answer response assignment will assess the following course outcomes, which you focus on throughout Themes 3 and 4:
? Investigate major developments in the humanities for informing critical questions related to human culture and endeavors
? Articulate the value of the humanities for their impact on contemporary issues focusing on how humans generate unique meaningsPromptArticulate the value of human creative expression to the advancement of human culture. Be sure to state your opinions clearly and specifically and to provide ample detail from your course materials and the study of your chosen artifact in Project 1. You should address each of these in writing as three separate explanations. This is not meant to be an essay. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Explain why you believe humans have a need to express themselves through created artifacts.
Explain the larger human need to express using the insights you gained from studying your artifact.(Beethovens Moonlight Sonata)
Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation.
Explain the larger human need to express, using the insights you gained from studying your artifact. Suggested approach:As you work to address this prompt, refer back to course content in the first three themes of the course and also consider revisiting Section III and Section V of your Project 1 Artifact Chart. In these sections, you explored the purpose of your selected artifact and how creative expression impacts and is impacted by the people and situations that surround it. Also, consider the questions you posed in Section VI of Project 1 related to expression. In answering this prompt, consider expanding on the initial insights you gained about your artifact to explain the larger human need to express.
Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation. Suggested approach: A.) Consider Theme: Introduction to the Humanities, which contains a list and discussion of reasons why artifacts are created and Themes: Introduction to the Humanities and Fundamentals of Human Culture on the big questions. Theme: Major Developments in the Humanities gives some examples of these reasons for creative expression during various time periods, naming a number of famous creators in the humanities, all of which might contribute to the discussion of your artifact. Theme: Value of the Humanities for Contemporary Issues talks more specifically about some powerful motives for creating in the humanities as well. Consider applying these concepts here. For instance, in the sample of All Shook Up by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley at the end of Theme: Fundamentals of Human Culture, the motives of making money, achieving fame, and entertaining were mentioned, among others. Be sure to refer back to course concepts in your response.
II .Explain how you think the act of human creative expression impacts and is impacted by the culture in which it was created.
Explain the larger reciprocal relationship between human creative expression and the culture in which it was created using the insights you gained from studying your artifact. (Beethovens Moonlight Sonata)
Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation.
Explain the larger reciprocal relationship between human creative expression and the culture in which it was created, using the insights you gained from studying your artifact.
Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation.Suggested approach: In addition to thinking about your artifact and reviewing the overall course content, consider especially the definition and discussion of culture in Theme: Introduction to the Humanities, learning block 2-3; on how artifacts change as cultures evolve in Theme: Fundamentals of Human Culture; the numerous examples of cultures throughout time in Theme: Major Developments in the Humanities; and the contemporary examples of Theme: Value of the Humanities for Contemporary Issues. Also, review the responses you captured in the artifact chart submitted in any earlier theme (learning block 6-1). Does your previous work help inform your thoughts around how creative expression impacts and is impacted by culture? For instance, in the resources related to All Shook Up by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley at the end of Theme: Fundamentals of Human Culture, World War II and the unique cultural mix of America were mentioned as having impacted the creation of the artifact, while the song itself influenced American pop culture as a larger part of rock and roll. Check the responses for your own artifact in your chart and extend the insights you gained to explain the broader cultural impacts on creative expression as well as how humanistic artifacts impact the culture they are a part of.
III. Explain how you believe human creative expression can impact issues we deal with today. Be sure to be specific about the issues you are addressing.
1. Use the insights you gained from studying your artifact (USE: Beethovens Piano Sonata Moonlight Sonata) to explain how creative expression can impact todays issues. Talk about ethics and culture.
2. Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation. (Use Beethovens moonlight Sonata as an artifact and write about the concept of expressing emotion)
Use the insights you gained from studying your artifact to explain how creative expression can impact todays issues.
Detail how a person and/or concept encountered in this course has informed your explanation.Suggested approach: In addition to reviewing the overall course content, consider what the humanities have to do with us (Theme: Introduction to the Humanities) and the impact of the humanities on contemporary issues (Theme: Value of the Humanities for Contemporary Issues).Guided by the topics in this theme, determine what some key issues are today. Think about the connections your chosen artifact might have to contemporary issues, and expand the insights you gain to explore how artifacts in general can have an impact on current concerns.
Rubric
PLEASE be specific and detailed. I can work with you, to answer any questions. When it saysyour artifact use Beethovens Moonlight Sonata
Guidelines for Submission: Responses to this assessment should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font as three separate short answer responses.
