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Honors

Fall 2012

 

 

Honors Breadth Courses

HONR 1300 Breadth American Institutions

Section 001, CRN 42871, 3 credits
Michael Lyons, MWF 1:00-1:50, ENGR 206

This course introduces students to U.S. political and economic institutions. Lectures and readings over the first nine weeks of the course will examine the U.S. political system. A key objective in this part of the course will be to explain how reforms supported by the U.S. public have been responsible for creating division and deadlock in our political system, transforming the political system into something that the public distrusts and often despises. Specific topics covered in this part of the course include basic political theory and the U.S. Constitution, U.S. elections, Congress, the Presidency, and the Judicial Branch. Next, we will spend about three weeks on the U.S. economic institutions, discussing microeconomic theory, markets, economic policies, and the convoluted origins of the current economic recession. Lastly, we will devote about two weeks to the 20th Century emergence of the U.S. as the dominant civilization in world history, exploring the Great Depression and the New Deal, WWII, the Cold War, the Viet Nam War, and the U.S. role in the world today.

The course has an analytic rather than a normative emphasis. This means that we will not dwell on discussion of what U.S. institutions should be ideally. Instead we will try to understand why they are what they are, for better or for worse. It also means that we will not debate issues, advocate worthy causes, or try to promote good citizenship. The course will have no core text, which will make everyday class attendance extremely important. Most of the course readings will be articles and chapters drawn from a variety of sources.

 

HONR 1320 Breadth

Section 001, CRN 42872, 3 credits
Carol McNamara, TR 10:30-11:45, FL 307

This course will employ an innovative method of instruction called "Reacting to the Past" to involve Honors students in the history, political actions and political thought of both ancient Athens and the American Founding. This course consists of two "games," which situate students in turning-point moments of history. Students constitute themselves as a legislative assembly, a court of law, an advisory body, a panel of judges, etc. In-role, and aligned with their factional allies, they attempt to achieve their victory objectives by formal speech-making, informal debate, coalition-building, deal-making, intimidation, blackmail, spying, and conspiracy. Once the set-up sessions are complete, the game begins and the students take over. The instructor functions as a gamemaster/advisor.

The two eight-week games played during this semester long course are: America's Founding: The Constitutional Convention of 1787; and The Threshold of Democracy: Athens in 403 B.C. The objective is to involve students in two very different historical periods which are both dedicated to the formation and perpetuation of democratic or republican institutions.

The Threshold of Democracy: Athens in 403 B.C. recreates the intellectual dynamics of one of the most formative periods in the human experience. The debates are informed by Plato's Republic, as well as excerpts from Thucydides, Xenophon, and other contemporary sources. By examining democracy at its threshold, the game provides the perspective to consider its subsequent evolution.

America's Founding is a game about what surely is the most important legal event in American history--the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Students gather as members of state delegations sent to Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation or to replace it with something better. Familiar elements, such as the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise, structure the first half of the game.

In the second half of the game, the Convention responds to reports written by committees attempting to resolve delayed matters and to put the constitution in its finished form. The constitution drafted by students needs not replicate the one produced in Philadelphia; however, freedom of action is constrained by the fact that many of the same structural problems and historical contingencies are in place. Thus students will find improving upon the Electoral College, for example, to be not that easy.

 

HONR 1330 Breadth Creative Arts

Section 001, CRN 42873, 3 credits
Nancy Hills, MF 11:30-12:45, BUS 322

An educated person should be knowledgeable of great art achievements of the past. In the light of this experience and knowledge, a person is prepared to develop their own standards for evaluating the role of the arts in our society and in their individual lives. As art touches on all parts of the human condition, in this course we will examine the human condition through three major historical periods, each of which highly influenced the next. We will explore the creative arts during Classical Antiquity, the Renaissance and the 18th Century Neo-Classical Revival. We will also discuss the principles and elements of design and learn to use the language of these periods when observing their architecture, statuary, paintings, theatre, and clothing.  

 

HONR 1330 Breadth Creative Arts

Section 002, CRN 43173, 3 credits
TBA, MWF, 3:00-3:50, LIB 302

Course Description TBA

 

HONR 1340 Breadth Social Systems/Issues

Section 001, CRN 42988, 3 credits
Michael Thomas, MWF 2:00-2:50, ENGR 238

What was the 20th Century? From 1901 to 2000 the only thing that changed more rapidly than the technology humans used were the many different ideas representing how we saw ourselves. Many students are aware of the rather epic events of the 20th Century, but fewer have thought about some of the the adjustments of social change happening, behind the scenes, so to speak. These events made the changes possible. From art to engineering, from history to marketing, or from the African continent to China; the ideas that contributed to the rise of our modern global vision of the humanities flourished in the 20th Century amid some of the more discouraging events humankind has known.

This course will introduce students to experts from several academic colleges on campus, each of whom will contribute their insight into our comprehensive survey of the 20th Century. By accessing the breadth of the university experience, students will learn what this century meant to several different disciplines. At the end of the course, students will understand more about what has changed about the human experience during the course of 100 years.

The fall course is a survey course. Upon completion of this initial course students will be offered a chance to participate in  a second semester depth course in the spring semester of 2013.

 

HONR 1350 "Blood on the Tracks: Medicine as Applied Science" (BLS)

Section 001, CRN 42989, 3 credits
John Barrett, TR 12:00-1:15, BNR 278

Health care professionals apply the science and art of medicine to real life situations on a daily basis. From life-threatening emergencies to itchy rashes, a brief interaction contains a fascinating glimpse into the scientific method and its practicality, or lack thereof.

We will explore the process of science by examining the history of germ theory and the development of modern medicine. Through problem solving, based on actual medical cases, we will see how anatomy, physiology, and pathology are used to find solutions.

The course will cover the difficulty of introducing new developments into medical practice. This includes the technical concerns of research and expense, the introduction of the "gray science" of epidemiology, and the ethical concerns regarding human research and clinical trials. We will examine the global medical industry-pharmaceutical corporations, private and governmental models, and worldwide health organizations-and their impact on society and culture.

Finally, through in-class activities, we'll look at how health care professionals think and make decisions based on knowledge and experience.

 

HONR 1360 Breadth Physical Science

Section 001, CRN 44293, 3 credits
James Evans, MTWRF August 20-24, GEO 217A

This class will take place BEFORE fall classes begin. Students taking this class will not be able to take Connections.

This pre-term class is almost entirely taught in the field in northern Utah. This course is designed to achieve the fundamental objectives of Earth System Science - we focus on the basic composition and structure of the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, and the interactions of these components of the Earth system that creates the livable planet. The field emphasis provides numerous examples of the exchanger of energy, nutrients, and mass between the four spheres that give rise to a habitable planet.

 

 

Honors Depth Courses

HONR 3020 Social Change & Gaming (DHU)

Section 001, CRN 42990, 3 Credits
Ryan Moeller, TR 9:00-10:15, BUS 318

This course is designed to give Honors students experience with rhetorical theory and in designing highly persuasive interactive texts (i.e. persuasive games). Persuasive games are games that are designed to deliver an explicit, rhetorical message, usually one with a social goal in mind. For example, The McDonald's Game (http://www.mcvideogame.com/) teaches players the game designer's argument for how the McDonalds Corporation's business practices and policies are unsustainable for the environment, for livestock health, and for labor practices. We will study persuasive games and rhetorical theory in order to produce game design documents for our own persuasive games. Students will be responsible for reading from the course textbooks and supplemental readings each week; for playing a variety of persuasive games and for blogging about their gameplay; and, working in teams, for designing their own persuasive game. There are no Computer Science or Graphic Design prerequisites for this course; however, computer scientists and graphic designers are welcome!

 

Honors Labs

BIOL 1610(H) Biology Laboratory

Section 508, CRN 40699, 0 credits
Dr. Gregory Podgorski, T 2:30pm-5:20pm, BNR 120

This Honors lab section of Biology 1610 provides opportunities for motivated students to read and discuss current papers, propose studies based on these readings, and to provide the introduction and context of at least one lab during the semester. Honors lab provides a rich intellectual environment by pairing a peer group of bright, academically engaged students and the best Biology lab instructors. Labs done by standard laboratory sections serve as the platform for the course with the Honors lab-specific activities enriching the experience.

PSY 1010(H) Psychology Laboratory

Section 507, CRN 41634, 0 Credits
Dr. Scott Bates, M 9:30am-10:20am, AGRS 141

Description TBA

Honors Seminars

USU 1010(H) Honors Connections

University Connections will take place August 22 - August 25, with follow-up classes one day a week from August 29 - September 05.

Section 055, CRN 44365, 2 Credits
Danene Dustin, AUG 22 - 25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, LIB 163
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05, Wednesday, 3:00-4:15, TSC 335

Section 056, CRN 44366, 2 Credits - Engineering Students
David Christensen, AUG 22-25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, ENGR 104
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05, Wednesday, 3:00-4:14, LILLY 006 

Section 057, CRN 44364, 2 Credits
John Engler, AUG 22-25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, MAIN 201
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05, Thursday, 3:00-4:15, GEOL 302

Section 058, CRN 44363, 2 Credits
Sarah Gordon, AUG 22-25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, MAIN 326
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05, Thursday 3:00-4:15, FAV 264

Section 059, CRN 44367, 2 Credits - Business Students
Shannon Peterson & Stacey Hills, AUG 22-25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, BUS 317
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05, Thursday 3:00-3:50, LIB 421

Section 060, CRN 44368, 2 Credits - Research Fellows
Scott Bates, AUG 22-25, WRFS 9:00-3:30, MAIN 117
Follow-up Class: AUG 29-SEP 05 Thursday 3:00-4:15, EDUC 130

  

HONR 3900 The Butler Did It: Mysteries in Cultural Context

Section 001, CRN 43174, 1 credit
Ona Siporin, TR 3:00-4:15, EDUC 130

Early on considered the bullyboy of literature, the mystery has become increasingly popular. Mysteries have served as travelogues, have been outlawed, have yielded insights on political hotspots, and have illuminated historical realities in countries around the world. A genre originally dominated by British and American authors, mysteries are how written by Nobel Prize winners and little known authors alike and are read by millions worldwide.

In this 7-week survey course, we will look at mysteries from different continents, with the goal of exploring and uncovering some of the unexpected gifts this genre has to offer.

HONR 3900 Preparing for Scholarships

Section 002, CRN 42991, 2 Credits
Christie Fox, W 4:00-5:15, MAIN 301

Winning grants or being admitted to graduate school does not happen by chance. In this course students will research graduate schools and funding opportunities consistent with their personal, academic, and career goals; identify the criteria for evaluation or acceptance; assess their own strengths and weaknesses; and develop a strategy for preparing a compelling application. Students will write personal statements and resumes, participate in peer workshops, practice key interviewing techniques, and produce professional-quality application materials. Students will also discuss common characteristics of highly successful individuals, learn and practice techniques for shining in social settings, and discover ways the vital skills presented in this course can benefit them in pursuing other career opportunities.

 

Honors English Courses

ENGL 2010H, Intermediate Writing for Honors (CL2)*

This class will focus on research and persuasive writing, using library and internet research, and appropriate documentation. Students will evaluate sources, collaborate with classmates, and participate in peer review of each other's writing. Writing assignments will be augmented by topical and provocative readings. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and to think carefully about the reading and writing assignments.
This is not a passive class! Students will write several papers related to their research interests. Through this class, students should develop their own writing style and voice, and learn to integrate that voice with what others (often authorities) have to say about the subject. It is hoped that students will leave the class stronger readers, writers, and thinkers, with a good idea of the areas on which they can build in the future.

*Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 1010 or AP score of 3 or ACT score of 29.

Section 026, CRN 42479, 3 Credits
Lezlie Park, TR 10:30-11:45, ENGR 205

Section 043, CRN 42480, 3 Credits
John Engler, TR 1:30-2:45, LIB 405

 

Honors Math, Language, and Business Courses

MATH 1220(H) Calculus II for Honors*

Section 009, CRN 40131, 4 credits
Instructor TBA, MTWRF 2:00-2:50, LIB 164

Integration, infinite series, introduction to vectors, and applications will be studied. Topics from second semester calculus will be covered, including advanced integration theory, Taylor's theorem, and the calculus of parametric curves.
*Prerequisite: MATH 1210 or AP score of at least 4 on calculus AB exam or at least a 3 on the BC exam.

 

SPAN 1010(H) Spanish First Year I for Honors

Section 004, CRN 44209, 4 credits
Instructor TBA, MWF 2:00-2:50, MAIN 119

Learn communicative competencies in the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing, with exposure to Spanish cultures and customs.

ECON 1500(H) Economic Institutions for Honors (BAI)

Section 005, CRN 42144, 3 Credits
Dwight Israelsen, TR 1:30-2:45, ENGR 206

Course Description TBA

 

Honors PE Courses

PE 1700(H) Celtic Dance for Honors

Section 003, CRN 43423, 1 Credit
Hannah Thompson, TR 3:00-3:50, HPER 215

Have you seen clips of Riverdance and wished you could move your feet that fast? Love listening to Irish music? Ever wanted to be the center of attention of St. Patrick's Day? Then come take the newest Honors elective beginning Fall 2011, Irish Dance! Taught by Honors student Hannah Thompson, you will learn the basics and beyond of both soft shoe and hard shoe Irish dance. The focus will be on learning steps and group dances, as well as simply having fun and learning more about Irish traditions. Have questions? Email Hannah at hannah.thompson@aggiemail.usu.edu.