Honors Seminar Sections 2009-2010
- HON200 -
first semester | second semester | past seminars
The Politics of Prison in the United States
Dr. Mike Thurwanger - Communications
1st 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 Bomb
Dr. Mike Toliver - Biology
1st 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 Media
Ms. Amanda Frioli - Communications
2nd 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.
Blink
Ms. Julie Colorado - Spanish
2nd 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
Peak Oil: Fact or Fiction?
Political Science
Exploring the Black Church Experience
Religion
Writing Under the Influence: The Poetics of Inspiration
English
Sticking it to the Super-Man: What Superheroes Tell Us about Gender and Culture
English
Bioethical Debates in Reproductive Medicine
Biology
NASCAR Nation
Theatre Arts
Literature as the Gateway to Personal and Social Ethics
Criminal Justice
As I Lay Dying: Reflections on Death
French
Nuclear Weapons: From Trinity to Dirty Bombs
Chemistry
Reflections from Prison: Historic Writings of the Incarcerated
History
Adventures in the Dark Side
English
The Historical Roots of the Creation-Evolution Controversy
Chemistry
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Philosophy
The Mind of the Insurrectionist
History
If It Ain’t Broke, Don't Fix It: Rewriting the Classics
English
The Road Less Traveled
English
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