| Humanities Capstone Course
 Course Description
This Humanities capstone course is designed to help students
synthesize the learning and skills acquired in their BLA program
and prepare them for postgraduate life. Opportunities to reflect on
educational choices and their consequences, to articulate
significant ideas and experiences, and to discern remaining gaps
will be facilitated by the use of common course texts and class
discussions. Additionally, students will prepare a portfolio
showcasing their skills as graduating seniors. They will also
assist with the organization of the UAS Humanities Conference and
will present their work to a public audience as part of the
conference. Student work will be evaluated by instructor(s) and a
team of external reviewers. Graded Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite:
senior standing in the BA English or BLA Art, Communications,
English, General Studies, or Human Communication. Instructor
permission.
Texts
Instructor(s) will select a common course text with broad appeal
that can provide students with a model of a well-written reflection
and a point of reference and opportunity to compare their different
educational perspectives and life choices, to reflect upon their
diverse responses to the text, and to articulate future social
responsibilities. A bibliography of possible common course texts is
available but the selections will be left up to the instructor(s)
discretion.Common UAS Humanities Conference readings (poetry, short
stories, novella, etc) will also be assigned and will vary from
year to year depending upon the conference theme.
Grade Based Upon
Students will fulfill all of the following requirements in order
to receive a “pass” for the course:
- Attend all class sessions and participate in all discussions of
course text(s) and conference readings.
- Write a response/reaction to each reading assignment.
- Work collaboratively with other students on planning,
organizing, and coordinating the UAS Humanities Conference (held in
April). The focus of the conference will vary from year to
year.
- Present research or creative activity at the UAS Humanities
Conference or other public event.
- Prepare a portfolio that showcases their abilities as a BLA
student in the Humanities. It will include: 1) a reflective cover
letter, 2) a resume, 3) a statement of professional philosophy or
objectives, 4) a substantial example of their best work (e.g.,
slides, a collection of poems, a novella, a seminar paper, a video
tape of conference presentation, workshop facilitation, or
theatrical performance, etc.). With permission of the instructor,
students may also create an electronic portfolio. Whatever form
this portfolio takes, this work should be a compilation and
fine-tuning of efforts started and developed in previous classes
and, ideally, not originate in this course.
- Assist peers with portfolio preparation in role of peer reader
and active listener.
- Prepare and pass an external evaluation of their work. In order
to pass this course, the Humanities Conference presentation, and
the portfolio, the student must receive a “pass” evaluation from
their instructors and from a panel of external reviewers. This
panel will include two humanities faculty members and a member of
the community. If the student does not pass this external review,
they will be required to repeat the course.
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