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Class Notes 

VWT 140:  A Cultural Appreciation of Wine: FALL 2023 Monday evenings, 7:00-9:50 p.m .

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  • This class covers the history of wine and society from before the written word to Elvis Presley.  It approaches the world of wine through a wide range of lenses and topics, to provide the students with a broad understanding of the role of wine in human history and society.

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  • This will be a great adventure for us all, and I really count on a lot of student participation in this class.  You will be asked to read, write, cook, speak, and participate on many different levels.  Which is why this class, perhaps more than any other class at the college, changes each year depending on the students.

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  • Class structure: two sections, with a break between of about 10 minutes.  If this is a problem, please let me know.  The first part is usually a lecture of some sort--the second will often be an exercise of some kind.  Add cards are not needed for the first week.  We never turn anyone away.

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  • Reading:  at least three books, including this website.  If you have already read some of these, read other ones.  The goal is not to complete the class with a minimum of effort—the goal is to learn.  These books are memorable and fun.  Enjoy them. If you have others to suggest, suggest them!  The syllabus should be at the bookstore.  

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Grades:  If your grade in this class is important to you, you will have to do the work.  NVC has very strict rules about incompletes, withdrawals, and drops.  Make sure you know them.  Students will be graded on the following:

 

  1. A 300-500 word essay on each of the books you read for the class. First paper is due mid-September, second one is due mid-October, and the third one in mid-November 

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  1. Research three recipes and prepare at least three dishes for the class meals/tastings.  For those who are truly culinarily challenged, some of these things can be purchased at a store. 

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  1. Final paper/final exam:  Final paper is on mutually agreed on topic, must be at least 1000 words, due the last day of class in December.  Final exam is a set of three essay questions on issues raised in the class.  You can choose to do either one or the other or both.  If you do both, you will be given the higher of the two grades.

Course Objectives:  You want objectives, we got objectives:

 

The calendar section of this website has a list of all the lectures for the class, including those which involved student participation.  The lectures each have their own page.  The objectives of this class are to cover the material above and allow the students to achieve the Student Learning Outcomes listed below:

 

The fine print: VWT 140 A Cultural Appreciation of Wine—Student Learning Outcomes:

                    Student will demonstrate knowledge of:

                                        1. The cultural context of wine in historic and contemporary societies.

                                        2. Sources of subject matter research materials.

                                        3. Technical writing skills appropriate to subject matter.

 

“Regular attendance in all classes is important for satisfactory academic progress. The Napa Valley College attendance regulations make provisions for a limited number of unavoidable absences. However, a student who is absent for as many times as a class meets each week will have exhausted this provision. An instructor may request verification of those absences. Further absences may cause the instructor to drop the student from the class. Students who do not attend the first class meeting may be dropped or lose priority on the waiting list.”

 

“Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442. A Learning Disability Specialist will review your needs and determine appropriate accommodations.

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If you need accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, schedule an appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department located in the 1300 building, phone (707) 256-7220 for appointment.

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All information and documentation is confidential. Please feel encouraged to make an appointment with me privately to discuss your specific learning needs in my class. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442.  A Learning Disability Specialist will review your needs and determine appropriate accommodations.

 

Finally, this is a class for grown ups.  Students are expected to behave accordingly.

 

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