UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM COURSE OFFERINGS

    Spring Semester, 2005

(58484) CorS H210 Integrated Science, 3 cr., (01) 12:30 MWF: Marc Klowden, Ag. Science 141

Insects/Human Health. The course will explore the relationships between insects and human societies and the parasites that colonize them both. Students will gain an understanding of mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, entomology, parasitology and human behaviors and cultural practice that may lend themselves to increased possibilities for disease. Satisfies core curriculum requirements in the natural and applied sciences; honors students who have not completed an honors core science, such as honors chemisry or biology, are strongly encouraged to take this core integrated science course. Limit 30.

(55240) Economics H272, 4 cr., (02) 3:30-4:45 T-Th and 3:30-4:20 W: Steven Peterson

Honors Foundation of Economic Analysis. Introductory course on the principles of economics, covering both micro-and macro-concepts, theory, analysis, and applications. Carries no credit after Econ 201 AND 202; carries 3 credits after EITHER Econ 201 or Econ 202. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for social sciences. Limit of 30.

(45844) English H258, 3 cr., (03) 12:30 MWF: D'Wayne Hodgin

Honors Literature of Western Civilization. Reading in selected classics of Western literature from the Renaissance to the modern era. May be taken independently of English H257. This course focuses on the Literature of Western Civilization from the early 18th century on, a time when Western political, economic and religious powers colonized much of Africa, Asia and the Americas, and Western civilization worked hard to "civilize" those "barbaric" worlds. The literature of this era both reflects and challenges this civilizing effort. The complex relationships between civilization and literature, civilization and the individual, and Western civilization's confrontation with those cultures and individuals it attempted to "civilize" or colonize will be explored. Discussion format; satisfies core curriculum requirements for humanities. Limit of 30.

(42142) History H102, 3 cr., (03) 10:30 MWF: Sean Quinlan

Honors History of Civilization. This freshman-level honors course on the history of world societies shall explore the major themes, milestones, and debates in the history of the global community since ca. 1500 CE.  Using examples from around the world, the course examines such problems as the causes of revolution and war; the impact of religion, science, industrialization, and technology upon human communities; the development of global systems of slavery, colonialism, and labor migration; the growth of nationalism and global empires; ideologies of capitalism and communism; and the perceived differences between 'East' and 'West.'  Satisfies core curriculum requirements for social science. Limit of 30.

(43389) PolS, H101, (05) 3 cr., 10:30 MWF: Patrick Wilson

Introduction to Political Science and American Government. Introduction to the study of politics focusing on basic concepts, processes, and institutions; emphasis on government and politics of the U.S. examined in comparative perspective; probable topics include nature of constitutional democracy, ideology, parties and elections, and formation of public policy. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for social sciences. Limit 30

(45478) Soc H101, 3 cr., (02) 11-12:15 T-Th: Debbie Storrs

Introduction to Sociology. Introduces students to the basic concepts used by sociologists to explain society and social interaction. The course presents a unique perspective for understanding our social world, and the critical thinking and communication skills to apply sociological principles to each student's life. In an era of rapid and pervasive social change, developing a sociological perspective on aspects of everyday life and society is invaluable and empowering. Topics covered in the course include: culture, socialization, gender roles, the family, deviance, race and ethnicity, and stratification. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for social sciences. Limit of 30.

(58523) Music H201 3 cr. (02), 12:30 MWF: Prof. James Reid

Honors History of Rock and Roll. This class looks at the development of rock music from its roots in the 1940s to contemporary styles such as hip-hop. Students will have access to an extensive on-line listening list and classes will include lectures along with additional listening and appropriate film segments. Genres and sub-genres include instrumentals, doo-wop, soul, protopunk, metal, progressive rock, and others. Artists examined include the Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Run DMC, etc. Coursework includes four tests and a paper. Satisfies core curriculum requirements for humanities; may not be counted as a required music history elective for music majors. Limit of 30.

Chemistry H112, 5 cr.: Prof. Thomas Bitterwolf

(45458) Sec. 21-- 9:30 MWF; Lab 2:30-5:20 Th, REN 233; Rec 12:30 Tu

(45460) Sec. 23-- 9:30 MWF; Lab 7:00-9:50 p.m. Th, REN 233; Rec 12:30 Tu

Honors Principles of Chemistry II. Continuation of Chem 111 for students in the University Honors Program. Some work in inorganic, organic, and biochemistry, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and in qualitative inorganic analysis. Three lectures, one three-hour lab and one recitation a week. Limit of 36 (18 each lab section).

Prerequisite: Chem 111 or permission. Satisfies core curriculum requirements in the natural and applied sciences. Majors in natural sciences and engineering are encouraged to take Honors Chemistry.

CORE - Discovery

CORE - Discovery [entering freshmen are advised to enroll in ONE section/topic of these four different honors Core courses, and to consider enrolling also in additional honors courses in the sciences, humanities, or social sciences at the 100 or 200 level; sophomores may enroll with permission of director and instructor, on a space available basis]

(58441) Core H154, 3 cr., (04) 9:30-10:45 T-Th: Prof. Mark Warner

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; spring semester satisfies core curriculum requirements for humanities. Limit 30

(58459) Core H160, 3 cr., (03) 2:30-3:20 MWF: Prof. Sarah Nelson

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

(58705) Core H155, 3 cr., (05), 2-3:15 T-Th: Prof. Michael O'Rourke

Honors Monsters We Make. With the help of art, film, and literature, this course explores the creation, role, and destruction of the monster both in the past and in the present.  We use discussion and group work to examine the social roles played by the monster and personal understanding of what makes something monstrous.  Literature, works of art, and film will enable us to focus on the complex relationship between "normality" and "monstrosity", and more generally, between "self" and "other", in an effort to critique the foundational assumptions at the root of human interaction.  This course satisfies core requirements for the humanities in fall and spring semesters.  Limit 30.

(58480) Core H168, 3 cr., (01), 11-12:15 T-Th: Prof. Larry Forney & Prof. Kathryn Paxton George

Honors Bioethics. Bioethics is a word coined to describe social issues at the intersection of biology and questions about right and wrong.  Students taking this course will study, write, and think about these issues in historical and scientific contexts.  Taught by professors in biology and ethics, the course is a unique opportunity to learn key elements of biology and ethical theory that will enable the student to make informed judgments about the uses and possible abuses of advances in medicine, scientific research, the environment, and many other interdisciplinary areas of biology and ethics. The course includes selected readings from physician-philosophers, scientific journals, and works of literature. The course will include lectures, discussion, and the formulation of position papers, as well as group projects such as debates. Fall semester, four humanities credits in general studies core curriculum; spring semester, three social science credits. Limit 30

(55479) Intr H404, (04)1 cr. (pass-fail), 12:30-1:20 p.m., T, Profs. Michael O'Rourke, Daniel Bukvich, Richard Fehrenbacher, BEL 204

Interdisciplinary Colloquium:Insight and Creativity. UI faculty and staff present and describe their approaches to teaching and/or research in their respective disciplines in this series of lectures. The lectures present the specific subjects and methodologies that define the disciplines and initiate conversations about those disciplines to explore and to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation.

Students attend the weekly lectures, complete journal and response assignments, and also meet with professors O'Rourke, Fehrenbacher, and Bukvich. Limit 15

(51799) Intr H499, 1-2 crs., 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., T, Prof. Stephan Flores, COMMONS 312

Updated Description/Honors Vacation Reading Website

Vacation Reading. This class explores different narrative accounts of ideas and identity—particularly in the United States of America--represented through a Pulitzer-prize winning novel about the geneses of identity, a Pulitzer-prize winning intellectual history of developing ideas and beliefs following the American Civil War, and a book about the advent of genetics (by Pulitzer-prize winner Weiner—this book won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction). Each work presents a compelling--and by turns sweeping and intimate– narrative of intertwined identities and ideas that comprise and structure complex national and local communities and lives. The coursework for one graded credit includes three focused journal entries (350 words each) and three critical responses (700 words each), and includes an online discussion forum; students who elect the two credit option will, in addition, be required to complete a term critical/research essay project (1800 words). Open to seniors, juniors, and sophomores.

Students wishing to earn credit in Honors Vacation Reading should start reading the following books, perhaps before the semester begins, and keep a journal of their reading to prepare for class discussion and for the required short writing assignments. The group will then meet with Dr. Flores once a week during the spring 2005 semester for discussion. Limit 12.

            Required texts:

            Eugenides, Jeffrey. Middlesex: A Novel

            (Picador, 2003) ISBN: 0-312-42215-6

            Menand, Louis. The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America

            (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2002) ISBN: 0-374-52849-7

           Weiner, Jonathan. Time, Love, Memory: A Great Biologist and His Quest for the Origins of Behavior. (Vintage, 2000) ISBN: 0-679-76390-2

See more comments/blurbs on these works.

Spring 2005 Upper Division Honors Seminar

(58564) Theatre, H404, (03) 3 cr., 9-10:15 T-Th: Robert Caisley, ED KIVA

Film & The Theatre of The Holocaust, The Holocaust is the major historical atrocity of our time.  This course challenges students to think critically about representations of the Shoah in theatre and film.  From such popular Hollywood films as Spielberg's academy-award winning SCHINDLER'S LIST to the experimental theatrical performance art of Jerzy Grotowski's AKROPOLIS, this course examines the ways theatre and film artists have dealt with the difficult subject of the Holocaust.  Formal lectures, film screenings and reading of plays provide students with the proper context for working in discussion groups and small group activities designed to ask questions such as:  How does the artist respond to acts of atrocity?  Is there an aesthetic of survivors and survival?  Do artists have a moral obligation to "bear witness?"  Students will be evaluated through written responses to various films and plays, and by exams and presentations.  Limit 15

Courses for Fall 2004

Courses for Fall 2003