Instructor: Noah Guynn, Department of French, College of Letters and Science
Description: The goal of this course is to introduce students to the majors in the humanities at UC Davis and to help them to understand the intellectual abilities and practical skills they will gain in these majors. The course will consist of a two-hour class meeting each week. Lecture will consist of: 1) Presentations by major representatives (preferably faculty), who will describe the major and will briefly discuss what those who have graduated in the major have gone on to do; and 2) Discussions during which the presentations and readings for the week will be discussed.
Readings will complement lectures and a discussion of the readings will take place. The writing component will consist of one-page response papers on lectures and assigned readings. Learning goals for the course are to bring students to an awareness of the value of a humanities education as preparation for professional and personal life. It will also provide insight into the professional opportunities available to students pursuing a major in the humanities.
Format: The class will meet for two hours each week for ten weeks. There will be weekly readings, a weekly one-page response paper and class participation required. Grading: Grades will be based 70% on response papers and 30% active, informed class participation
About the Instructor: Professor Guynn is a member of the faculty in the Department of French & Italian. His primary research interest is medieval literature, philosophy, and theology. He also teaches a large lecture course in the Humanities Program on Adam and Eve and the story of the Creation in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Guynn is currently completing a book project devoted to ethics and sexual ethics in medieval texts. Guynn was the recipient of an ASUCD teaching award in 2003-2004.