Critical Inquiry: Minimalism
Harvey Mudd College
HSA 10 Section 13
Shanahan B450, TTh 9:35-10:50
Spring 2022
|
Professor Bill Alves |
This seminar introduces students to inquiry, writing, and research in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. To encourage reflection on the place of HSA within the HMC curriculum, the course includes a brief unit on the history and aims of liberal arts education. Each HSA 10 section explores a particular topic, and this section focuses on Minimalism in the arts.
In the explosive 1960s, the mantra that "less is more" ricocheted across American culture, impacting visual arts, music, fiction, film, dance, and even fashion. Taken broadly, minimalist impulses have since resonated throughout the arts, their influences perhaps as profound as any artistic trend of the twentieth century and even the twenty-first. Rather than considering different types of art in isolation, this class will give you the chance to analyze and critique ways in which culture is reflected across multiple art forms. In addition to reading fiction, history, and criticism, we will also listen to music and view art and film (though no previous musical or artistic experience is expected). While exploring these topics, you will develop research skills, critical skills, and continue your development as a writer.
Upon the completion of HSA10, students should be able to:
- Critically summarize, interpret and discuss a variety of written materials
- Formulate and support a thesis through evidence and reasoning
- Collect, evaluate and analyze information to investigate a problem
- Write with clarity and coherence, with a targeted audience in mind
- Present an idea in a compelling, clear and engaging manner
- Articulate the purposes and scope of a liberal arts education in the Harvey Mudd context
Coursework
Daily assignments: Daily assignments will give you the opportunity to engage with the readings,
handouts, and other activities. Unless otherwise noted, forum posts should be
substantial, at least 200 words. These assignments are graded on a 5 point scale. Assignments that
do not adequately address the assignment prompt may have points deducted. Unless otherwise noted, you do
not need to bring hard copies of assignments to class.
Papers: The focus of our semester is writing a formal research paper on a topic related to those covered in class. Timely completion of interim assignments for the paper, such as topic proposals, annotated bibliographies, and draft versions, and participation in peer editing will also be evaluated. You will also revise in response to feedback from me and from your peer reviewers. Papers must be formatted correctly, saved in .docx or .doc file format, named according to the conventions in the assignment, and uploaded by the given deadline.
Presentation: You will give an oral presentation to the class based on the topic of your research paper. A representative of the class will also give a presentation during Presentation Days at the end of the semester. Presentations will be evaluated in part by peers. Because every presentation is scheduled, they cannot normally be made up.
Participation: Because this class is conducted as a seminar, it is necessary that you attend and speak up regularly, both for your own benefit as well as the benefit of others in the class. We want to see evidence that you are intellectually engaged in this class, though we recognize that your engagement might differ in character from someone else's. Your peer-editing efforts and other forms of engagement with your classmates will also help determine this portion of your grade. Because this engagement is critical for everyone in the class, I will deduct from your grade for each unexcused absence after the first two. However, do not attend class if you are ill or show any symptoms of illnesss. In order to fully facilitate everyone's participation in discussions, there will be no open laptops during class, unless specifically required for an in-class activity. Also, please make sure your cell phones are switched off.
Writing: Although there is no required textbook for this course, we will continue to make use of Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup's Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. It is also important that you familiarize yourself with the guidelines for MLA format and style, which can be found online, here, for example. I encourage each of you to come seek help from me at any time in the course. Ideally, my written comments on a paper will be just a part of an ongoing conversation about your writing, critical thinking, and research.
Office hours: I encourage you to come by my office with any questions you have. Currently, Harvey Mudd College does not encourage open-door office hours, but I hope you will email me for appointments (alves @ hmc.edu). Please check the schedule posted on my door.
The Writing Center (Shanahan 1470) provides a welcoming space-- both physical and virtual-- for writers to get feedback on their text projects, whether written, spoken, or visual pieces. Writing Center Consultants are prepared to assist students in any discipline with any stage of the writing process, from developing an idea to polishing a final draft. Even the most accomplished writers benefit from seeking feedback at the writing center. The Writing Center is located in Shanahan 1470, just up the walkway from the cafe. You may schedule an in-person or remote appointment through their website, www.hmc.edu/learning-programs/writing-center/, or you may simply drop in during normal hours. YOU WILL LIKELY FIND YOUR WRITING CENTER VISIT MORE VALUABLE IF YOU GO EARLIER THAN THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR DRAFT IS DUE. You can find many helpful links here.
Grading:
In addition to achieving a passing average, students need to turn in both the Midterm and Research Papers in order to pass the class.
| Midterm paper draft | 5% |
| Midterm paper | 15% |
| Research paper draft | 5% |
| Research paper | 30% |
| Assignments | 35% |
| Presentation | 10% |
Submitting Written Work: All work must be submitted on time and in a proper format. Extensions will be granted only in case of illness or emergency. Late papers will be penalized 10% per day late, though late papers will always get some credit, no matter how late.
Students who have been successful in this class have: