Honors Courses and Options

HIST 10: World History to 1500 (GH: IL) (Dr. Douglas Page)

MWF 10:10–11:00 a.m., Course Number 16422
World Civilizations to 1500 is an introductory survey of the world's major civilizations from the rise of the earliest human communities to the age of global expansion in the sixteenth century. The emphasis will be on the distinctive histories and cultural values that shaped major regions and cross-cultural contacts between those regions. Students will learn how ancient to early modern societies adapted their environments, organized their political economies, expressed themselves in art and philosophy. The course provides a historical overview of global changes over time.

HIST 103: The History of Madness, Mental Illness, and Psychiatry (GH; IL) (Dr. Douglas Page)

MWF 11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m., Course Number 18902
More than perhaps any other set of human afflictions, the phenomena that have gone under the names of "madness," "insanity," "lunacy," and "mental illness" have historically provoked a wide variety of often contradictory reactions. Those who have been in the throes of "madness" have described experiences ranging from an ecstatic sense of holiness to being beset by undeniable impulses to feelings of unending despair. Observers have sought explanations for the behavior of "touched" and "crazy" individuals by invoking such things as sin, destiny, heredity, moral degeneracy, upbringing, trauma, fatigue, and body chemistry. Those afflicted have been admired, pitied, mocked, hidden from public view, canonized, imprisoned, restrained, operated on, sterilized, hospitalized, killed, counseled, analyzed, and medicated. Why? This course will examine the ideas that have shaped European and American perceptions of madness, insanity, and mental illness. This course will be an introduction to the modern history of "madness" in the Western world. In particular, we will examine the ideas that have shaped European and American perceptions of madness, insanity, and mental illness; the changing experiences of those afflicted; the development of those professions designed to look after those deemed mad, insane, and mentally ill; and the social and cultural assumptions behind treatments, policies, and public opinions.

HIST 163: Asian History Through Film (GH; IL) (Dr. Mark McNicholas)

TR 1:35–2:50 p.m., Course Number 4590
This course explores Asian histories through film. We will watch and analyze Asian films for the light they cast on numerous problems of modern life and historical interpretation in selected Asian countries: How have Asians depicted their own histories? How have they dealt with war, revolution, and social and cultural change? What have been the effects of major historical events and transitions on individuals, families, societies, and states? Approaching film as documentation, interpretation, commentary, propaganda, nostalgia, vision for the future, and reflection of social norms and problems, we will also consider films as products of specific historical environments: why did certain movies appear when they did? Through this course, students will gain a visual introduction to Asian cultures and societies, explore their histories, and learn to read films as both interpretations and products of history.

HIST 173: Vietnam in War and Peace (GH; IL) (Dr. Mark McNicholas)

TR 3:05–4:20 p.m., Course Number 28223
This course examines the long history and culture of Vietnam with a focus on Vietnam's anti-colonial and independence movements of the 20th century. Among the topics covered are Vietnam under French colonial rule, the rise of nationalism and communism, Vietnam during WWII, and the multi-decade struggle for independence in the fifties, sixties and culminating in the departure of American forces in 1973. Vietnam's recent economic rise and emergence as a commercial power is also covered. It offers a basic knowledge of the cultural, political, economic, artistic and historical background of this vital region of the world.

ENGL 453: Victorian Novel (Dr. Brooke Findley)

TR 3:05–4:20 p.m., Course Number 28534
Study of texts and traditions in the nineteenth-century English novel.

ENGL 180: Literature and the Natural World (GH) (Dr. Jeffery Stoyanoff)

TR 3:05–4:20 p.m., Course Number 16489
This course is an introduction to literature that takes as its subject the natural world. Students will practice the methods of ecologically oriented literary analysis (eco-criticism) and they will learn to contextualize the major historical periods, movements, and arguments for the necessity of literature about the natural world as it intersects with environmental studies. The course can cover anything considered "literature," but namely fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. Students will examine not only strategies of description, but also literature's unique ability to showcase conflict, reflection, and insight when it comes to protecting our environment. The course should include literature that addresses the human impact on nature. Students should learn about familiar environments and unfamiliar environments. Students should also come to understand the motivations of the authors.

ENGL 447: The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century (Dr. Jeffery Stoyanoff)

TR 4:35–5:50 p.m., Course Number 28532
Study of different English writers and traditions from the neoclassical age (1660-1776), with attention to poetry, fiction, romance, and drama.

MWF 11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m. | Course Number: 28400
*Make sure to enroll in this 99 section*
This course is a study of natural disasters, their physical causes, effects on humans and societies, and solutions to reduce their occurrences. Natural disasters are a product of natural hazards: earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, heatwaves, near-earth objects, and blizzards, among others. Thus, we will focus on the scientific aspects of natural hazards and their role in disaster formation. Mitigation for disasters and responses to disasters will also be studied across economically developing nations and developed nations. The social characteristics of the population are equally important as the scientific aspects of natural hazards in understanding natural disasters. Case histories related to notable natural disasters events will also be discussed. These include the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the 2011 Japanese earthquake, and tsunami, among others. The popular media will be used as a learning tool to understand the causes, consequences, and public perceptions of natural disasters. This will entail reviewing excerpted segments of “disaster films” as a starting point for analysis.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The goal of this course is to conduct a full-scale analysis of natural disasters in terms of their causes, consequences, response, mitigation strategy (future areas of research), and the role of the media in portraying natural disaster events. In the end, students will:

• gain an understanding of the geographic distribution of natural hazards
• gain an understanding of the geologic and atmospheric processes responsible for natural hazards
• gain an understanding of the social characteristics related to natural disaster formation
• gain an understanding of the areas susceptible to natural hazards and their frequency
• gain an understanding of practical ways to mitigate the effects of natural hazards in areas where they are likely to occur

In the end, it is my hope that when students hear about natural disasters in the news they will understand what caused the natural disaster to occur (scientific aspects) and how the population of that area may be affected (social aspects). Questions? Contact Dr. Dolney at [email protected].

MWF 9:05–9:55 a.m. | Course Number: 18001
This course is an equivalent of ENGL 015 and 030; CAS 138T (the required spring course) is an equivalent of CAS 100. Incoming first-year honors students must take this course and CAS 138T in the spring.
What is rhetoric? How is it used in media—specifically writing and speech? What is the role of a citizen in twenty-first-century life? These are admittedly big questions. To get to some answers (perhaps) and more questions (definitely), we will take these macro questions and apply them to micro issues, namely the environment, sustainability, and food. You will read, watch, and listen to various media, both fiction and nonfiction, to study these topics and to begin engaging them through your own ideas, words, writing, and other critically-focused creations. In addition to the in-class work, we will begin preparing for and collaborating with community partners for community-based learning service and activities such as community gardens and food pantries. This class will challenge your preconceptions, expand your horizons, and demand active participation. Please email any questions to Dr. Stoyanoff at [email protected].

MWF 1:25–2:15 PM | Course Number: 15723
This course is an introduction to the history of "madness," examining and evaluating the ideas that have shaped perceptions of madness, insanity, and mental illness over the centuries. We’ll discuss how and why “mad people” throughout history have been at points venerated and at other points feared. We’ll read texts and watch videos, sometimes from those who live with mental illnesses, that attempt to explain the ways mental illnesses have been addressed by different social groups and throughout different time periods. And we’ll explore popular films that have shaped (for better and worse) how the world talks about mental illness. As a result, you’ll will become acquainted with the ways in which human biology, culture, society, and politics have reciprocally shaped one another in history. Questions? Contact Dr. Page at [email protected].

TR 10:35–11:50 a.m. | Course Number: 18347
Ever wondered why some movies just stick with you? This course dives deep into the fascinating intersection of film and philosophy, exploring how movies shape our understanding of reality, culture, and even beauty itself. We'll watch thought-provoking films, unpack key philosophical ideas (no prior philosophy experience required!), and discover how movies reflect and influence our values and everyday lives. Get ready to see film—and the world—in a whole new light.

MWF 10:10–11:00 a.m. | Course Number: 6373
Does free speech have any limits and, if so, what are they?
Why does a country as big as the United States only have two political parties?
Is the Electoral College democratic and why does the United States use it?

In this course, we will address questions such as these and more. It is designed as an introduction to the principal features of American political life. The breadth of the course is very wide, but we will focus throughout on the history and evolution of the American political system, the expansion of rights and liberties, and the role of political parties and elections.

The overall goals of the course are threefold: 1) offer students a basic understanding of the key institutions and processes of American political life; 2) present students with a foundation for future political science classes; and 3) provide students with the resources necessary to be active and informed citizens. Additionally, this course also serves as a first-year experience course, so it will include materials and discussion related to starting a college career.

TR 9:05–10:20 a.m. | Course Number: 6270
The ability to learn effectively and efficiently is a critically important skill, during college but also beyond. Psych 263N will focus on the science behind learning – how learning actually happens, but also the many factors that affect our ability to learn (such as study strategies, personality, intelligence, motivation, and stress). Students can expect to gain insights into their own learning as well as a better understanding of how learning environments and educational practices can be improved. With the idea of application in mind, this class will include a series of hands-on laboratory exercises, where students will test concepts related to learning using the scientific method. Questions? Contact Dr. Lilenthal at [email protected].