Study Exams Blog

Study.com Humanities 101
  • Gavin Walton
  • August 15, 2024

Welcome to the fascinating world of Study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities! If you’re a student embarking on this journey, you’re in for a treat. This course offers a panoramic view of human expression, culture, and thought, stretching from ancient times to the modern era. Whether you’re interested in ancient civilizations, Renaissance art, or contemporary literature, this class will help you uncover the rich tapestry of human creativity and intellectual endeavor.

In this course, you’ll explore the myriad ways humans have expressed themselves through various forms of art, literature, and music over centuries. From the epic tales of Gilgamesh to the innovative rhythms of Latin music, you’ll gain insights into how different cultures and periods have shaped our understanding of the world. By the end of the course, you’ll not only be familiar with key historical figures and movements but also understand how these elements contribute to our current cultural and intellectual landscape. So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting exploration of humanity’s greatest achievements!

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Study.com Humanities 101: What You'll Learn 📖

Well then, what is waiting for you in Study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities? This class will provide you with general ideas of human culture and the accomplishments of individuals from the past until the modern period. Here’s a sneak peek into what you can expect:

Exploring Major Civilizations and Their Contributions: You will immerse yourself into the cultures of people beginning with the historical poetry of Mesopotamia reading the Epic of Gilgamesh and going all the way to the architectural structure of the Greeks and Roman empires. Knowledge of these civilizations will go a long way in familiarizing you with the previous generations of human society as we know it today. Regarding history learning, make sure to give extra attention to the main historical personalities and milestones as such aspects are usually singled out in examinations. 

Diving into Art, Music, and Literature: It will start with a journey through periods of art and music starting from the Renaissance which is filled with beautiful paintings, moving on to the period of romantic and modern music that made many people cry. You should be prepared to learn about major leaders like Da Vinci and Blake and separate periods of literature as Romanticism or Modernism. Understandably, the examination of these art kinds shall enable you to grasp the extent to which they embody cultural ethical systems and impact them. 

Understanding Key Concepts and Movements: It is time to learn about such profound and impressive phenomena in human history and culture as Humanism, the Enlightenment, and Transcendentalism. These have influenced the social, political, and economic plans of societies together with intellectual thoughts and creativity all through the ages. When it comes to the exam, make sure you grasp how these concepts changed various epochs and are depicted in literature and art. Allegory and Empiricism will be essential, so make sure you understand their definition and their impact. 

The subjects discussed in this class are not history like any other; they are the basics of how mankind generated ideas and formulated his mind. Expect to work with diverse types of sources and points of view, and look for these interconnections and correlations that exist, between the topics, time periods, and cultures.

Mastering Humanities 101: Weekly Study Guide📝

To tackle Study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities and ace that exam, a structured study plan can make all the difference. Here’s a week-by-week guide to help you stay organized and focused:

Week 1: Dive into Ancient Civilizations

Focus Areas:

  • The Epic of Gilgamesh: Understand the themes, characters, and historical significance.
  • Ancient Greek and Roman Contributions: Study their architecture, literature, and philosophical thought.

Study Tasks:

  • Read the chapters on Mesopotamian and Greek contributions.
  • Watch CrashCourse’s video on Ancient Greece to grasp the basics.
  • Review key terms like “Epic Poetry” and “Greek Architecture” using Quizlet flashcards.

External Resources:

Week 2: Explore the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Focus Areas:

  • Medieval Literature: Study works like Beowulf and the structure of Miracle and Mystery Plays.
  • Renaissance Art and Philosophy: Examine Leonardo da Vinci’s contributions and Humanist Ideology.

Study Tasks:

External Resources:

Week 3: Modern Art, Music, and Literature

Focus Areas:

  • Music Movements: Study the Romantic Era, Baroque Period, and Neoclassical Music.
  • Modernist Literature: Understand the works of authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

Study Tasks:

  • Read chapters on modern music and literature.
  • Listen to samples of music from Music History Online to get familiar with the styles.
  • Use Quizlet to review terms like “Baroque Period” and “Literary Modernism.”

External Resources:

Week 4: Focus on American Novelists and Key Concepts

Focus Areas:

  • Prominent American Novelists: Study the works and influence of authors like Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway.
  • Literary Movements: Review key concepts such as Allegory and Literary Modernism.

Study Tasks:

External Resources:

Week 5: Review and Practice

Focus Areas:

  • Consolidate your knowledge of all periods and movements.
  • Practice exam questions and review key concepts.

Study Tasks:

  • Go over your notes and flashcards.
  • Take practice exams and review incorrect answers.
  • Engage in study groups or forums to discuss challenging topics.

External Resources:

Following this plan should help you stay on track and cover all the critical aspects of the course. Remember, consistent study and review are key to mastering the material!

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Access Free Resources for Humanities 101📂

While you have access to Study.com’s materials, sometimes it helps to have a few extra resources to deepen your understanding or get a different perspective. Here’s a list of free resources that can complement your study plan for study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities:

  1. YouTube Channels and Playlists
  • CrashCourse: Their Literature and History playlists provide engaging and informative videos on many topics covered in your course.
  • Khan Academy: Check out their Arts and Humanities section for detailed explanations and lessons on various art movements, historical periods, and influential figures.
  • The Art History Babble: A great resource for learning about Renaissance art and other periods.
  1. Free Online Courses and Lectures
  • MIT OpenCourseWare: Actually provides free lecture notes and materials that could be very helpful for easier understanding [Humanities](https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/ humanities/).
  • Coursera: Search for free courses such as  Introduction to the Humanities and other similar course. However, for comprehensive access, there may be a restriction in terms of payment, however, there are options for auditing the course for free.
  1. Quizlet Flashcards
  • Quizlet: Search for flashcards related to specific concepts like Literary Modernism or Enlightenment Thinkers. These can help reinforce key terms and definitions.
  1. Websites and Articles
  • SparkNotes: Offers many of the significant text and topic overviews and, for instance, covers The Epic of Gilgamesh and Shakespearean Plays sections.
  • Project Gutenberg: There are many eBook download sites, where you can get many classical works and historical texts for free such as Beowulf or The Scarlet Letter.
  1. Study Groups and Forums
  • Reddit: Use the communal subreddits such as r/AskAcademia or r/AskHistorians possibly talk on subjects and ask detailed questions.
  • Discord Study Groups: Find the relevant channels in the social platform called Discord and join the discussions that are regarding humanities and literature to get assistance from peers.

These resources should supplement your learning and can offer complementary sides to learn the materials from. If you’d like, you can name some of the issues that you would like to focus on, and I will look for specific sources!

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Must-Know Topics for Humanities 101🔑

In study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities, here are some concepts specific to the course that are especially important for you to grasp and most probable to be included in the exam. Below is a list of four major topics that you should cover with the help of examples and comparing explanations.

  1. Literary Movements: Romanticism vs. Realism

Romanticism and Realism are two movements in literary works that have some differential special features. Getting to know the differences in the cases will be useful to appreciate certain literary works and the historical periods that surrounded them.

Aspect
Romanticism
Realism
Time Period
Late 18th to early 19th century
Mid to late 19th century
Focus
Emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism
Focus on everyday life and social realities
Key Themes
Imagination, nature, the sublime
Ordinary people, social issues, and moral dilemmas
Notable Authors
William Blake, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman
Mark Twain, Henry James, Gustave Flaubert

Romanticism appreciates the elements of purity and freedom in nature and creativity and offers an unrealistic representation of things. On the other hand, Realism is the artistic style that tries to reflect reality and the most common themes are depicted by real-life events and societal problems.

  1. Major Philosophers: John Locke vs. Immanuel Kant

When exploring Enlightenment and Modern Philosophy, comparing John Locke and Immanuel Kant can be enlightening.

Aspect
John Locke
Immanuel Kant
Philosophical Approach
Empiricism
Transcendental Idealism
Key Works
Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Critique of Pure Reason
Focus
The role of experience in knowledge
The nature of human perception and moral philosophy
Key Contribution
Theory of Tabula Rasa (mind as a blank slate)
Categorical Imperative (moral law is universal)

John Locke who was an empiricist stressed that knowledge results from experience and reflection gained through the senses. At the same time, Immanuel Kant provided a philosophical reflection on what knowledge and morality are, claiming that there are some constants about the world.

  1. Art Movements: Baroque vs. Renaissance

Understanding the differences between Baroque and Renaissance art can help you appreciate the evolution of artistic styles and themes.

Aspect
Baroque Art
Renaissance Art
Time Period
17th century
14th to 17th century
Characteristics
Dramatic use of light and shadow, intense emotions
Balance, harmony, and perspective
Key Artists
Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael
Notable Works
The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

Baroque Art is known for its dramatic and emotional intensity, while Renaissance Art focuses on balance, proportion, and the revival of classical themes and techniques.

  1. Key Historical Events: The French Revolution vs. The Enlightenment

Understanding the relationship between The French Revolution and The Enlightenment can provide insight into their impact on modern thought.

Aspect
The French Revolution
The Enlightenment
Time Period
1789-1799
Late 17th to 18th century
Key Goals
Overthrow of monarchy, establishment of a republic
Emphasis on reason, science, and individual rights
Key Figures
Maximilien Robespierre, Napoleon Bonaparte
Voltaire, Rousseau, Locke
Impact
End of feudal privileges, rise of modern democracies
Foundation for modern democratic and secular ideas

The French Revolution was a direct outcome of Enlightenment ideas challenging traditional structures. The Enlightenment provided the philosophical foundation for revolutionary changes in society and governance.

These key topics should provide a solid foundation for understanding the core concepts of your Humanities course. Keep these comparisons and explanations in mind as you study and review your materials.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Humanities 101❓

Q: How do I access the Study.com Humanities 101 course materials?
A: Login to your study.com account, and then go to the course manager. That is where all the videos, quizzes, all study materials will be found.

Q: What should I focus on for the exam?
A: Focus on key concepts like major literary movements, significant authors, and their works. Review the week-by-week study plan for detailed topics.

Q: How can I improve my understanding of difficult concepts?
A: Utilize free external resources like YouTube videos and Quizlet flashcards to reinforce challenging topics. Links to these resources are provided in the article.

Q: Are there any practice exams available?
A: Study.com typically offers practice quizzes and exams within the course. Check the “Assignments” section for available practice materials.

Q: Can I get help if I’m struggling with the material?
A: Reach out to the Study.com student support team or join study groups online. They can offer guidance and additional resources.

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Conclusion📄

Congratulations! What we have effectively provided is a chart on how you will go about your study.com Humanities 101: Intro to the Humanities course. Through the ever-expanding gallery of the creative and intellectual output of humanity, you are in fact preparing for the exam while enjoying the most exciting show. Just to recap, follow the weekly plan, use the suggested sources, and focus on specific sections to obtain success. It is important for a student to remember that studying literature incites art and music as well as travel through the history of ideas not just for a test but for gaining knowledge of our history from the human perspective. Indeed, one management concept to stress as the global economy deepens its complexity is to remain motivated, to keep asking questions, and to welcome the process of learning. With this kind of attitude and equipped with the right techniques, you have all you need to pass the course. Good luck, and have fun on the great journey of ideas that awaits you!

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