Office of Undergraduate Affairs

What is the Good Life?

This is a new collaborative course taught by instructors and teaching assistants from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Design, Construction, and Planning. It is intended to be a “signature UF experience” that will enhance the undergraduate curriculum by promoting an interdisciplinary model of teaching. It offers a common experience to all entering undergraduates, while also providing faculty the opportunity to share their individual expertise as critical thinkers. Thus students will gain a greater appreciation for the humanities as a whole, what questions and concerns are central to the field, while also learning what is distinctive to and unique about the individual disciplines that make up the humanities.

UNIVERSITY HUMANITIES REQUIREMENT

As of Summer B 2012, students must complete HUM 2305 (with a grade of C or higher) within the first two semesters of full-time enrollment to fulfill 3 credits of the General Education Humanities (H) requirement. For exemptions from this requirement and additional information on its completion, please consult the documentation provided by Academic Affairs (.pdf).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Through a close examination of relevant works of art, architecture, history, literature, music, religion, and philosophy, students will consider the basic question, “What is the Good Life?” Topics include the cost of the good life, how people have chosen to live as members of local and global communities, and conceptions and expressions of beauty, power, love, and health. The course will serve as an invitation to the Humanities and to a lifetime of reflection on the human condition through the unique opportunities available to the students at the University of Florida.

Elements common to all sections include the required “gateway” readings, the three common activities, and the common assignments. In addition, there are "pillar" readings assigned by the individual instructors. The faculty select pillars to complement the gateways, while also drawing on their own areas of interest and expertise to make the course a unique experience for the students in their sections.

COMMON ACTIVITIES

1. The Harn Good Life Cell Phone Tour 
2. The Common Humanities Lecture 
3. The Good Life Performance

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Essays (30%): One 500-Word Paper, One 1000-Word Paper
2. Exams (35%): Midterm, Final
3. Six Quizzes (10%)
4. Attendance (13%): Lecture Responses, Weekly Discussion, Common Activities
5. Participation (12%): Discussion Sections, Oral Presentation, Construction Assignment

CLASS FORMAT 

During the regular academic year (Fall-Spring), the instructor delivers two lectures per week in a combined lecture section, either MW or TR. For the third hour, students attend a discussion section led by a teaching assistant. All discussion sections are scheduled to meet after the second lecture of the week.

For Summer B, the instructor delivers three lectures per week in a combined lecture section (MWF). Students also attend a discusion section, led by a TA, which meets twice per week (TR).

ENROLLMENT

The course is expected to seat approximately 6,800 students over the upcoming academic year. Times of the lecture and discussion sections are on the Registrar’s Schedule of Courses under the Department "Interdisciplinary Studies" (IDS).

• Summer B 2013 Course Schedule
• Fall 2013 Course Schedule

HUM 2305 COURSE MATERIALS

Each section uses Sakai to post the syllabus, course materials, and announcements as well as to release grades. Students are expected to check the course page on Sakai regularly. Registered students will be able to view course information on Sakai by the first day of the semester.

Summer B 2013 Instructors

• Ms. Donna Cohen (DCP, Architecture)
• Ms. Jennifer Lee (FA, Arts in Medicine)
• Dr. Victoria Pagán (CLAS, Classics)
• Dr. Mickey Schafer (CLAS, CWOC)
• Mr. Russell Schultz (FA, Art and Art History)
• Dr. Laura Sjoberg (CLAS, Political Science)

Fall 2013 INSTRUCTORS

• Ms. Donna Cohen (DCP, Architecture) and Dr. Ferdinand Lewis (DCP, Urban and Regional Planning)
• Dr. Florin Curta (CLAS, History)
• Dr. Sidney Dobrin (CLAS, English)
• Ms. Jennifer Lee (CFA, Arts in Medicine)
• Dr. Vasudha Narayanan (CLAS, Religion)
• Dr. John Maze (DCP, Architecture) and Dr. Benjamin Wise (CLAS, History)
• Dr. Andrew Nichols (CLAS, Classics)
• Dr. Brenda Smith (CFA, Music) and Dr. Victoria Rovine (CFA, Art and Art History)
• Dr. Jane Southworth (CLAS, Geography)
• Mr. Daniel Stepp (FA, Art and Art History)

                                                           Syllabi from Past Semesters

CONTACT

Professor Andrew Wolpert (wolpert@ufl.edu), Humanities Common Course Director