UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM COURSE OFFERINGS Fall '06

(12200) History H101, 3 cr., (01) 8-9:15 T-Th: Prof. Ellen Kittell

Honors History of Civilization. A survey of the major ideas and institutions of selected world civilizations. Differs from non-honors sections primarily in its discussion format and enlarged history of ideas component. Satisfies core curriculum requirement for social sciences. Limit of 30.   

(15866) English H257, 3 cr., (01) 12:30-1:45 T-Th: Cheryl Johnson                          

Honors Literature of Western Civilization. This course introduces works of ancient, medieval, and Renaissance literature from Western and some non-Western cultures. We will encounter seminal ideas of the Western canon and compare them with ideas from non-Western works. We will also construct links to more modern conceptions to show how the issues raised in classical literaturesurvive and thrive in contemporary culture and literature. As a means of organizing disparate material, we will pay special attention to the theory of myth and the uses of myth in literature and film and to the theme of the journey as it appears in the literature, in both its literal and metaphorical senses. We will operate on a discussion format with individual and group presentations throughout, in addition to critical essays, a multivoiced and multigenre capstone project, and exams; satisfies core curriculum requirement for humanities. Limit of 30.

(28031) Philosophy H103, 3 cr., (17) 11-12:15 T-Th: Prof. Janice Capel Anderson

Honors Introduction to Ethics. An introduction to philosophical reasoning through historical study of Western moral thought. Readings, lectures, and discussions, with required individual papers and group presentation; satisfies core curriculum requirement for humanities. Limit of 30.

(26132) Biology H115, 4 cr., (08), 10:30-11:20, MWF, MINES 212 and 11:00-1:50 T: Matt Parks         

Honors Biology: Cells & Evolution of Life. Metabolic and genetic processes in cells; cell structure and function; regulation of gene expression and organism development; cell-cell communication; adaptive evolution and the analysis of evolutionary history. Limit of 24

            Chemistry H111, 4 cr.: Prof. Thomas Bitterwolf (Lecture location TBA)

            (10727) Sec. 33-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 2:30-5:20 M, REN 222

            (10728) Sec. 34-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 2:30-5:20 M, REN 222

            (10729) Sec. 35-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 2:30-5:20 W, REN 222

            (10730) Sec. 36-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 2:30-5:20 W, REN 222

(31279) Sec. 37-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 7:00-9:50 R, REN 222

(31280) Sec. 38-- 8:30 MWF, Lab 7:00-5:50 R, REN 222

           Honors Principles of Chemistry. Intensive treatment of principles and applications of chemistry. Honors labs have an emphasis on independent laboratory exercises. Satisfies core curriculum requirements in the natural and applied sciences. Enrollment limit: 12 each section

(15581) Psychology, H101, 3 cr., (01) 9:30-10:45 T-Th: Dr. Alan Whitlock

Honors Topics in Introductory Psychology. An exploration of the evolution of psychology, personality theory, memory, research in psychology, biology related to psychology, sensation and perception, learning, states of consciousness, psychological disorders, and psychotherapy. Each student will evaluate their own personality and search for new meanings in their experience. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for the social sciences. Limit 30.

(13470) PolS H237, 3 cr., 12:30-1:45 T-Th: Prof. Lisa Carlson

Honors International Politics. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Survey of approaches used to describe and explain conflict and cooperation among states in the international system; special emphasis on games of strategic interaction. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for the social sciences and also General Core Studies International Course requirement. Limit 30.

(26231) Communication H335, 2-3:15 T-Th, 3 cr. Prof. Steve Banks

Honors Intercultural Communication. Honors Intercultural Communication challenges basic assumptions about culture, communication and the theories that link these two constructs. Students read classic and contemporary literature on intercultural communication, travel on Web-based sojourns, write critical evaluations of research reports, create and present case analyses, and conduct a semester-long investigation of a culture of choice. Satisfies university core requirement for the social sciences and the General Core Studies International Course requirement. Limit 27.

CORE - Discovery

(27244) Core H104 (01) 4 cr., 9:30-10:45, T-Th: Prof. Dale Graden

Honors Contemporary American Experience. This course takes a broad look at contemporary American life in the context of the last fifty years. Students analyze films, stories, poems, court cases, personal narratives, popular media, and objects of material culture for what they portray about six aspects of American experience: religion, family, the sense of place, gender/sexual orientation, race and class. The course also includes readings from the social sciences; fall semester satisfies core curriculum requirements for social science. Enrollment limited to 30 entering freshmen.

(27258) Core H110 (01) 4 cr., 9:30-10:45, T-Th: Prof. Sandra Reineke

Honors Sex and Culture: Women and Men in the 21st Century. Gendered ideas (and ideals) about women's and men's roles in contemporary society are a contentious and multifaceted topic. This course is designed to introduce students to a number of competing concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of gender that can help us to better understand cultural constructions of gender and the many debates surrounding it. Using a variety of texts, including film, fiction, plays, works of art, personal narratives, and scholarly texts, we will interrogate how art, media, science, and the law create certain ideals of femininity, masculinity, and sexuality to make us who we are. This year-long course is divided into six main topics, or units, asking a range of questions about this phenomenon called gender. Each unit introduces different ways to think about gender and why it matters, enabling students to examine changing ideas about femininity and masculinity and to connect them to their own experience and interests. Fall semester, four social science credits in general studies core curriculum; spring semester, three humanities credits. Limit 30.

(27960) Core H113 (01) 4 cr., 11-12:15, T-Th: Dr. Kenneth Faunce

Honors Globalization. Globalization is a major force shaping the world today. It can be viewed as a catch-all phrase which includes economic, cultural, social and political exchanges on a global scale.  The process of globalization affects us all, and we all contribute in some way to this process when we shop, travel, post information on the web, etc.  Globalization is also at the center of much controversy, as protests around the world attest.  It is a topic that evokes strong feelings from many people, although few fully understand and appreciate the complexity of the issues it raises.  It is a phenomenon that truly demands a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural perspective to understand.  The course is organized into eight major topics over two semesters. During the fall semester we examined: the history of globalization and its central issues; how trade is changing our world; how globalization affects the role of the nation-state; how globalization impacts culture. In the spring semester we will examine: how globalization influences political change; how globalization affects economic changes; how globalization affects environmental change; how different people and societies try to manage the process of globalization. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for the social sciences and also General Core Studies International Course requirement. Enrollment limited to 30 entering freshmen.

(12592) Math H315, 3 cr., (01) 10:30-11:20 MWF: Prof. Mark Nielsen, A&A 109

The Role of Mathematics in Human Progress. Mathematics has been a human endeavor for thousands of years.  In this course we consider some of the great mathematical challenges that have helped shape our history.  We will examine the interaction between the mathematics of a culture and its philosophy and worldview, leading to a consideration of the place of modern mathematics in our own society and the possible directions mathematics may help take us in the future.  In doing these investigations we will cover quite a bit of mathematics, but the prerequisites are minimal: basic algebra and the ability to reason logically are all that is required.  Homework and exams will include both mathematical problem-solving and essay writing--good writing skills will be essential.  Text: Dunham, William.  Journey Through Genius: the Great Theorems of Mathematics (Penguin Books). Limit 30.

Fall 2006 Upper Division Honors Seminars

The upper division honors seminars are reserved for juniors and seniors in the program. Sophomores will be allowed to register for seminars on a space-available basis only with juniors and seniors being given first priority. Three credits of Honors course work must be completed in order to register for a seminar.

(30874) Geog H404 3 cr., (03) 1:30-2:20 MWF : Samuel Ndegeah (PhD student in Geography) and Prof. Harley E. Johansen

Africa: A Developmental Trajectory. The major objective of this seminar is to examine and understand both historical and current issues of African development. It is expected that the seminar will deepen students’ understanding of the paradox and quagmire of African development including economics, cultures, the environment and the general developmental processes. Why Africa remains the way it is? Are the reasons historical, physical, cultural, political or otherwise? In this course the emphasis will mainly be on the sub-Saharan Africa. Enrollment limited to 15.

(30742) Mrtn H404 1 cr., (01) 3:30-4:20 T-Th: Dr. Bill Smith

UN Peacekeeping: An Overview. This UI Honors seminar is designed to give students a brief but thorough introduction into the workings of the UN Security Council and the peacekeeping missions sponsored thereby. The various “mandates” given by the UN to specific peacekeeping missions will be considered, and how those evolved before and during particular missions will be examined.  Two Martin Forum speakers will complement the class, and the class will build towards a simulation of the current UN Security Council and “plan” a hypothetical peacekeeping mission. The class runs the first six weeks of the semester, with the other three course meetings consisting of attendance at the two Martin Forums and the two hour simulation, held the last day of class. Enrollment limited to 15.

Courses for Spring 2007

Courses for Spring 2006

Courses for Fall 2005

Courses for Spring 2005

Courses for Fall 2004

Courses for Fall 2003