special topics Courses
HONORS APPROACHES TO RELIGION
HONS 391
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Humanities.
Zeff Bjerken, Associate Professor of Religious Studies
This course is an introduction to the academic study of religion in general, and a survey of different understandings of sacred place and pilgrimage found in America, India and Tibet. We begin by reading the studies of two “Road Scholars” who seek to find and interpret diverse forms of American religiosity while they undertake a common ritual: the cross-country road trip. After visiting many odd and fascinating roadside religious attractions in the U.S., we travel to the ancient city of Banaras in India. This sacred city will serve as a lens through which the worldview of Hindu pilgrims comes into focus. Finally we travel to Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas, regarded by Tibetan Buddhists as the central axis of the universe and a very holy pilgrimage site.
*AFRICAN AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY:
RACE AND RACISM
HONS 391
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Humanities.
Anthony Williams, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
The purpose of this course is to stimulate students’ thoughts about aspects of the “American Experience” that are frequently overlooked. It proposes to investigate a cluster of issues and debates particular to the African-American philosophical tradition. Beginning with the Black Existentialist thought of DuBois, Fanon, and West, students will explore contemporary debate regarding the invention and retention of race as a concept; color consciousness versus color blindness; and especially problems related to racial reasoning within the ideology of multiculturalism. Finally, the moral and political legacy of slavery will be considered including de jure segregation and de facto self-segregation, racial identity, and affirmative action.
*MAROONED
HONS 391
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Humanities.
Richard Bodek, Associate Professor of History Joseph Kelly, Associate Professor of English
The subject of this course is maroonage: how literature and history have used the motif of maroonage to explore a cluster of themes (human nature, the relation of humanity to nature, the nature and fragility of civilization, etc.) and propose solutions to problems inherent in these themes. We divide the course into four sections: real life maroonage, heroism, human nature, and the construction of societies. The class will use texts ranging from literary classics to reportage to history to pop culture. Students will practice a range of analytical skills—literary and historical interpretation especially, but also others such as new historicism and a more interdisciplinary cultural criticism.
*PAGANS, PRIESTS, AND POETS: RELIGION IN THE NORTH FROM THE MIDDLE AGES THROUGH THE REFORMATION
HONS 391
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Humanities.
Meg Cormack, Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Icelandic manuscripts have preserved the most detailed account of any European mythology other than those of Greece and Rome. Focusing primarily on Scandinavia, the course will examine the religions practiced there — and the extent of our knowledge about them — based on study of primary sources such as Runic inscriptions, magical charms, Scaldic and Eddic poetry, and folklore. Two questions asked will be “How much can we know about pre-Christian religion when most of our evidence about that religion is, in fact, recorded by Christians?” and “What can folklore tell us about historical or contemporary beliefs and policies as opposed to theological orthodoxy?” While the primary focus will be on the Middle Ages, post-Reformation witch trials and folklore will also be considered.
*CROSS CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING
HONS 392
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Social Sciences.
George Dickinson, Professor of Sociology
This course aims to analyze the topic of dying and death from a cross-cultural perspective. A major goal will be to make students aware of similarities between cultures regarding dying, death, and bereavement, while at the same time noting diversity. The significance of death rituals within the social structure of societies will be emphasized. Topics to be covered include: attitudes toward death throughout the life cycle, customs for the dying just prior to death, living with dying, biomedical issues, euthanasia, the business of dying, legal aspects of dying, mourning rituals, burial rites and other rites regarding final disposition of a dead body, the biological and social meanings of dying and death, children and death in different cultures, religion and death attitudes, death and the environment, suicide, and grieving throughout the life cycle.
HONORS PSYCHOLOGY
HONS 163
3 credit hours
Applies to the general education requirement in the Social Sciences. For crediting purposes, this is the Honors equivalent of PSYC 103.
This course serves as an introduction to the scientific study of behavior. The primary goals are to impart general principles and significant experimental findings within the various subdisciplines of psychology. As we shed light on the variables that influence the way we think and act, this course will highlight the methods and procedures that psychologists use to understand the complexity of human behavior. This course will go beyond that of general psychology by providing additional readings and hands-on experience in applying the techniques used by psychologists. The course content and exercises are tailored for students who truly wish to embrace the variables of behavior rather than simply read an introductory text. Because psychology has grown to include numerous and vastly different domains, the course is team-taught so that students may gain a broader appreciation of psychology from two professors with differing approaches to the study of behavior.
HONORS APPRECIATION OF MATHEMATICS:
A CONCEPTUAL TOUR OF CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS
HONS 390
3 credit hours
Satisfies the second half of the Honors College Mathematics requirement and applies toward the College’s general education requirement in Mathematics.
Prerequisite: Introductory Calculus (Math 120)
Annalisa Calini, Associate Professor of Mathematics
This course will highlight mathematics as a network of intriguing ideas, not a dry formula list of techniques. Each lecture will begin by placing mathematical concepts in historical context and providing the motivations driving the quest for understanding. Topics to be covered include key ideas in algebra, number theory, mathematical foundations, complexity, topology and geometry, dynamical systems, chaos, and stochastic processes. The goal of this course is to help each student discover the beauty and fascination of mathematics, admire its strength and profound ideas, and appreciate its value in our everyday lives.
HONORS LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS
HONS 390
3 credit hours
Spring 2008
Applies to the general education requirement in Social Sciences.
Steve Arsenault, Associate Professor of Accounting and Legal Studies
The goal of this course is to give the student a foundation in economic theory, philosophy of markets and governments which serves as the basis for business. The course is designed to give the student the humanities foundation of business: Locke, Smith, Rawls and others will be read. There will also be in-depth case analysis of key cases to discuss the issues of the business day: punitive damages, liability for wrongs on the part of corporate officials, product liability, etc.
HONORS BUSINESS STATISTICS
HONS 390
3 credit hours
Spring 2008
This course is the equivalent of DSCI 232 for Honors students majoring in Economics or Business. In addition, these courses satisfy the general education requirement in the Social Sciences.
Prerequisite: Math 250
Gioconda Quesada, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management
This course will cover advanced statistical analysis with applications in business and economics utilizing relevant computer software (Excel and SPSs). Topics include business applications in descriptive and inferential statistics emphasizing such topics as simple and multiple regression, analysis of variance, forecasting, quality control, and nonparametric techniques.
