GHANA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

GREEN HILL COLLEGE

UHUM: Reading Seminar in Humanities 1,
Regular Programme

FIRST SEMESTER, 2014/15

Instructor: Charles Agyei

Office Location: D 15
Office hours: Tues: 2.00pm-3.30pm, Weds: 1.00pm-4.00pm, Thurs: 2.00pm-3.30pm
Phone: 0249604063
Email: charles50gh@yahoo.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This survey course introduces students to the significant questions concerning the nature and
scope of human development. Thus, the focus is on the general nature of civilization, its origins,
progress, transmission and major development. The development of languages, arts, social and
political institutions, religious practices and myths, as well as science and technology in the
civilization discourse are examined.

COURSE DESIGN & OBJECTIVES

This is an introductory course and therefore its objectives are:
 Trace the evolution of human development
 To explain the path of human civilizations, processes, progress and major developments
that have taken place
 To explore the major social, political and religious dynamics as well as the role of science
and technology in human development
 To examine the place of the mind and reason in the civilization discourse

POLICY
The issue of class attendance, cheating in examinations and other related issues will be
extensively discussed in class in accordance with the approved statutes of GIMPA.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
 Identify the major processes of human development.
 Explain the origins and mode of transmission of human civilization.
 Appreciate the important dynamics that have shaped human development.
 Examine the impact of science and technology on civilization.
 Describe the role of reasoning in human civilization.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS (Main Text Book)

Fiero, K. Gloria. The Humanistic Tradition. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002, 4th Edition
SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS AND TOPICS
Class attendance is a must! In addition, students are expected to participate actively during class
lectures. In this direction, they must therefore read the prescribed texts and articles and also visit
any recommended websites before the commencement of each lecture. The schedule of lectures
and prescribed texts and websites are as follows:

Week Topic Readings Strategy

1 Prehistory & the Birth Gloria K. Fiero (Book 1) Lecture
of Civilization
2 The Civilization of Gloria K. Fiero (Book 1) Group Discussion /
Ancient Egypt Presentation
3 The Ancient Middle Gloria K. Fiero (Book 1) Documentary/Discussion
East
4 The Heritage of Gloria K. Fiero (Book 1) Lecture
Ancient Greece
5 The Roman Heritage Gloria K. Fiero (Book 1) Group Discussion /
Presentation
6 Foundations of Gloria K. Fiero (Book 2) Lecture
Medieval Europe
7 Byzantine & Islamic Gloria K. Fiero (Book 2) Documentary/Discussion
Civilizations
8 Mid – Semester
Exams
9 The Renaissance & Gloria K. Fiero (Book 3) Group Discussion /
Reformation Presentation
10 Exploration & Gloria K. Fiero (Book 3) Lecture
Expansion
11 The Scientific Gloria K. Fiero (Book 4) Group Discussion /
Revolution & the Age Presentation
of Enlightenment
12 The Dawn of the Gloria K. Fiero (Book 4) Lecture
Industrial Revolution
13 World War & Peace Gloria K. Fiero (Book 6) Documentary/Discussion
14 Revision Week
15 Examination Week

GRADING
Your grading will be determined by your performance on series of class assignments and two
other major examinations: the first, the mid-semester and class exercises are worth 40% of the
final grade for the course. This will consist of multiple choice questions, mapping, true or false
questions and providing your own responses to questions.
The end of semester exams carries 60% of the final grade and this will also consist of multiple
choice questions, mapping, true or false questions and providing your own responses to
questions.

GRADING POLICY
STARTING FROM 2006/2007: NEW GRADING SYSTEM
a) Grading System

LETTER NUMERICAL % GRADE POINT INTERPRETATION

GRADING
A 75 – 100 4.00 Distinction

A- 70 – 74 3.75 Excellent

B+ 65 – 69 3.50 Very Good

B 60 – 64 3.00 Good

C+ 55 – 59 2.50 Average

C 50 – 54 2.00 Average

C- 45 – 49 1.75 Weak Pass

D 30 – 44 1.50 Fail

F Below 30 1.00 Fail

X - - Fail

I - - Incomplete

Z - - Disqualified

b) Classification

CLASS FINAL GRADE POINT AVERAGE (FGPA)

1st Class 3.65 - 4.00

2nd Class Upper 3.25 – 3.64

2nd Class Lower 2.60 – 3.24

3rd Class 2.00 – 2.59

Pass 1.75 – 1.99

Fail Below 1.75