WGU C100- Introduction to Humanities: Module 1 Already Passed

WGU C100- Introduction to Humanities: Module 1 Already Passed What are the Humanities? The word "humanities" is derived from the Latin term, humanitas, which essentially refers to humans and their culture. Thus to study the Humanities is to learn what it is to be human, not from a biological sense but a cultural sense. Why do we study humanities? - to understand what humans believed and why - to understand the past as more than just a timeline of events How does studying humanities help to build better relationships? - gives us an understanding of the beliefs, ideals, and experiences of others. - allows us to have a better understanding of our own values as well as our biases. Themes - Unifying ideas that are repeated or developed throughout a literary or artistic work. What 3 powerful themes have been revisited throughout the history of the Western world? - Individualism - Revolution - Classicism Individualism - that which separates one unique person from another, as well as the social and philosophical viewpoint that celebrates that difference Revolution - A fundamental, dramatic shift in organizational structure that occurs over a short period of time Classicism - aesthetic attitudes and principles found in the art, architecture, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome What are two of the most common themes that exist across multiple disciplines within the Humanities? - Love and heroes Eros - Erotic Love Agape - Platonic Love What are some of the distinct forms of love that have defined our humanity? - love of God, love of family, romantic love, and friendship Why has the hero archetype existed in virtually every culture and society? - The "heart" of the hero's journey is fundamentally the same everywhere. -the hero has humanistic emotions - represents our own struggles, obstacles and triumphs - satisfies a psychological need to see ourselves as capable of overcoming great feats (psychological, mental, or moral). Where does the archetype of the hero exist today? - political candidates, sports superstars, pop culture celebrities, etc Central Concepts in Humanities - Humanism -Myths -Beauty - Archetypes -Aesthetic experience Humanism - the study of the creative and intellectual contributions made by all cultures and as an ethical system that emphasizes human reason, values and the scientific method. Myths -traditional stories of a people or culture that serve to explain some natural phenomenon, the origin of humanity, or customs or religious rites. -provided wisdom and entertainment Beauty - defined as those qualities that give pleasure to the senses. Archetype - age-old models by which we comprehend human experience - some examples include: heroes, scapegoats, and heaven Aesthetic experience - an experience of beauty that inspires a feeling of pleasure, which is its own justification, and this experience is valued independently of others. The Humanities and the Disciplines - Music, Cinema, the Visual Arts, Literature, Theater, Dance, Architecture and Philosophy Music - an artistic form of auditory expression that incorporates instruments or human voices in a structured and continuous manner. Cinema - an artistic medium that uses the motion picture as a vehicle for storytelling and other creative expressions. Visual Arts - the creation of primarily visual works, which can be two or three-dimensional. -Examples include: painting, illustration, photography, printmaking, and sculpture Literature - refers to an individual literary work or collectively to the creative writing of a people, nation, or culture - Examples include: poetry, novels, plays, and short stories Theater - a storytelling art that combines speech, music, gesture, dance, stagecraft, and spectacle to perform a drama or musical before a live audience Dance - an art form involving a sequence of rhythmic movements or steps usually performed to music - Historically it has served ritualistic and entertainment purposes Architecture - the science and art of designing buildings and other structures and is concerned with the aesthetic effect of structures in their surrounding environment. Philosophy - the systematic investigation of fundamental questions concerning such matters as existence, reality, consciousness, knowledge, truth, and justice. What are the 5 broad functions of art? - provides aesthetic pleasure. - offers political and social commentary. - can assist in physical and emotional healing. - can create historical artifacts from a specific time or place. - can be used to enable commerce in advertising products and services. Consilience - agreement between the approaches to a topic of different academic subjects, especially science and the humanities Gilgamesh - an old Babylonian heroic poem -Gilgamesh was king of Uruk - He mourns his friend, Enkidu, but travels to the ends of the earth to meet someone who has been granted immortality because Gilgamesh fears his own death. - represents very human emotions and struggles Odyssey - Greek epic that tells the story of Odysseus's 10 year journey home and his wife Penelope's fidelity in his absence - Odysseus refuses to become immortal and stay with the goddess, Calypso, and expresses his wish to return home to his wife. -represents romantic love, which endures