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Honors Seminar Sections 2009-2010- HON200 -
first semester | second semester | past seminars
The Politics of Prison in the United StatesDr. Mike Thurwanger - Communications1st Semester, Monday 3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
The last quarter century has seen a continuing rapid increase in the number of those incarcerated in the U.S. According to the Pew Center, more than 2.3 million Americans are currently behind bars and another 5 million are on parole, on probation, or under other forms of correctional supervision. This seminar will explore these trends and their impact on U.S. politics, society, economy and justice. A likely book for use in conjunction with this seminar is Hallinan, Joseph T. 2001. Going up the river: Travels in a prison nation. 1st ed. New York: Random House.
The Making of the Atomic BombDr. Mike Toliver - Biology1st Semester, Friday 1:00 – 1:50 pm.
The making of the atomic bomb was one of the most significant scientific projects of the 20th century—but it had horrendous effects and raised several vital questions for all humanity. Among those questions are: “What is the value of international conventions—the Geneva convention, for example—forbidding such actions as bombing civilian populations when those actions receive no sanctions?” “Should science pursue knowledge regardless of where it leads?” “How can we control the genie, once he's out of the bottle? Can we somehow put him back in?” To this day, it is easy to spark debate on whether the U.S. should have used atomic weapons against Japan. This seminar will examine the history of the atomic bomb and attempt to “answer” some of these questions.
Packaging Gender in the MediaMs. Amanda Frioli - Communications2nd Semester, Wednesday 2:00 – 2:50 p.m.
Gender is fundamental to our social, professional and private lives. By considering how gender is constructed and shaped in the media, we are more able to reflect upon the social, cultural, political and personal implications. This course is designed to stimulate students’ critical thinking skills by analyzing the use of gender and communication in several industries including sitcoms, news, music, advertisements and movies. Through readings, class dialogue, and writing papers, students will analyze how gender is packaged by the media.
BlinkMs. Julie Colorado - Spanish2nd Semester, Wednesday 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.
Have you ever used your instincts to make snap decisions? Of course you have! You use your “adaptive unconscious,” which, according to author Malcolm Gladwell, is like a giant computer in your brain. All of us make quick judgments to protect ourselves from danger, although sometimes these decisions can get us into trouble. This Honors seminar is based on Gladwell’s Blink, which will serve as the text and be the basis of class discussions. The author shows us “when to blink and when to think.” We’ll conduct some interesting and fun psychological experiments as well as learn about ourselves and the world around us. “What Stephen Hawking did for theoretical physics, Malcolm Gladwell is doing for social science,” wrote Jill Spintznass of the Portland Tribune. “Gladwell uses a series of fascinating examples to support his views, weaving scientific data into page turning prose.”
Recent Honors Seminars
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Religion
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