|
|
Print
Honors
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Honors Encounters |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Experience the breadth of university life by attending and writing reports on any combination of at least three Honors Lectures, other lectures, performing arts, and exhibitions approved by the Honors Director or Honors Program Committee. Alternatively, Honors Encounters credits may be earned by learning abroad, conducting independent research or creative activities beyond course and major requirements, or learning foreign languages beyond major requirements. May be repeated up to eight times. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Honors Colloquium in the Humanities |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 6 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Writing Intensive |
Yes |
| Description |
This course will examine texts from a range of disciplines and periods that define "home" as well as the space of the Other. The colloquium will stress formal and informal discussion of ideas. The course is designed to synthesize skills from the Honors Foundation and serve to further develop capacity for independent thought. Building on the skills practiced in the Honors Foundation courses students will develop skills through extensive class discussion, analytical and research writing, oral report, and lecture. MnTC Goal 6. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Topics in Honors |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is a topics course which may be repeated when the content varies. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
American Society |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 5 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Examines some of the major political, economic, and cultural developments in American life during roughly the past century. Possible topics include concentration of political and economic power, bureaucratization and its effects, revolutions in class structures, race and ethnicity in politics, and the consequences of the decline of American empire. MnTC Goal 5. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Masterpieces of Literature |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 6 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Consists of careful reading of selected masterpieces of world literature combined with intense discussion and exchange of ideas. Possible works to be covered include selections from Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Dostoevski, Yeats, Camus and others. May be repeated once when content changes. MnTC Goal 6. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Tellings and Retellings |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 6 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This class consists of the intensive examination of certain key classic texts, such as Shakespeare's Othello, and their "retelling" in other artistic disciplines by other artists. In exploring these retellings the class examines both the formal elements of--say--musical or movement expression (to name just two) in order to understand how a written text can be "translated" into other media and also examines how the values embedded in a particular text can be altered or even transformed in another version. MnTC Goal 6. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Human Nature in the Western Tradition |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
An examination of current psychological theories regarding human nature and potential, and the evolution of those theories within Western philosophy and literature. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Transformation of the Roman World: 31 B.C. to A.D. 312 |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 5 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
An introduction to the Roman Empire, both its Eastern and Western components, as the setting in which Christianity appeared. The introduction of art, archeology, and literature as the primary sources for interpreting the growth of the Christian religion in the first three hundred years of the common era. MnTC Goal 5. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Journeys in Literature: Classical and Medieval Masterpieces |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 6 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Examines variations of the journey-theme-inward quests and worldly voyages-in literary masterpieces from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages (to c.1400), both East and West. Texts will include The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Aeneid, Nikki, T'ang Dynasty poetry, Beowulf, The Divine Comedy, Travels of Marco Polo, and others. MnTC Goal 6. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Space, Time, and Change: Revolutions in Self Perception |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 3 Lab |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This science course examines the scientific basis for three great revolutions in human understanding: The realization that the universe is very large, that it has existed for a very long time, and that every part of it changes with time (focusing in particular on changes in the stars, in the earth, and in life). We will consider how this understanding has influenced human world views and religious beliefs. The course includes lectures and lab activities as well as open discussion of assigned readings. During discussions, students are encouraged to explore and share their own world views as well as examine the views of others. MnTC Goal 3. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Science and Time |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
An examination of the concept of time in science with special emphasis on the historical field sciences of paleontology and archaeology. Topics to be considered in this course include evolution and change in historical sciences, as well as discussions of calendars and standard forms of time-reckoning. The contrast between relativistic time and ordinary time will be reviewed in order to highlight different scientific study in an interdisciplinary format and to experience an issue-oriented presentation of scientific materials. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Issues of the Nuclear Age |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 3 Lab |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Science and mathematics are fundamental to a strong society. This course demonstrates general methods of scientific thinking that can be applied to everyday life. We will discuss concepts and principles important for making decisions about radiation and nuclear technologies, such as food irradiation, nuclear weapons, and nuclear power. In particular, you will learn about nuclear physics, and its impact on social issues. You will perform lab activities, discuss or debate ideas, and write analytical papers. MnTC Goal 3. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Life and Death in the Universe |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 3 Lab |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
The last century will be remembered in small part as a time when humans finally started scientifically addressing the most fundamental questions about the universe: "How did the Universe begin," "How did life on Earth begin and how might it end," and "Is there anyone out there?" Students will address these issues by reviewing our current scientific understanding of the Big Bang, the origins of life on Earth, the Evolution of Life, and the possible origins of intelligent life elsewhere. The class will be cross-disciplinary with heavy emphasis on astronomy, planetary geology, biology, and some history. In addition to in-lecture coursework, lab activities are used to provide students the opportunity to plan, design, and execute their own investigations of these scientific concepts. MnTC Goal 3. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Social and Political Philosophy |
| Prerequisite |
HON 200 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Investigation of major issues of contemporary social and political philosophy. Topics may include the justification of the state, rights, equality and liberty, the major political ideologies, feminist politics, and critical theory. Same as PHIL 357. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Natural Disasters |
| Prerequisite |
HON 200 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Writing Intensive |
Yes |
| Description |
This class is a research-seminar style course that surveys the history of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, etc.), throughout history, focusing on the political, economic, and social causes and effects of disasters. The class will engage in an in-depth case study of one disaster, requiring students to do extensive primary and secondary source research and present their findings in class to their peers. MnTC Goal 5 and 10.
Honors Program Goals: This class seeks to focus on developing your critical thinking across disciplines, communication skills, and personal growth through intellectual independence. By choosing a research topic of interest to you, preparing a proposal, presenting your findings, and writing a substantial research paper, you have the opportunity to integrate the knowledge provided by the class into the fabric of your honors education. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Hiroshima Peace Studies Tour |
| Prerequisite |
HON 200 |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 8 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Students will explore the history of nuclear weapons, and discuss the roles of Hiroshima and Nagasaki today. Students will travel to Hiroshima, and will keep a journal, using this and other research done prior to the trip to develop a course project. Structured activities in Hiroshima will include visiting the Peace Park and Peace Museum, talks by scholars from Hiroshima University on peace studies topics, visits to historical and cultural sites, such as Hiroshima Castle, and the island of Miyajima. Same as PSCI 385. MnTC Goal 8. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Eureka! A History of Mathematical Ideas |
| Prerequisite |
MATH 261 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Writing Intensive |
Yes |
| Description |
We will explore the history of mathematics from ancient to modern times by using famous equations as entry points to different periods in mathematical history. Once in a period we will explore the development of mathematics at that time, the people involved in that development, the culture at the time, and then fast forward to the modern implications of that particular branch of mathematics. We will move chronologically and connect the mathematics to the development of science, politics, art, music, and many other fields. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Topics in Honors |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Internship |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
A supervised practical experience in the honors program. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Capstone in Ethics and Civil Responsibility |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 9 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Writing Intensive |
Yes |
| Description |
The goal of this course is to produce an interdisciplinary scholarly and/or creative work, consistent with the goal of the Honors Program to develop independent thinkers capable of conveying their thoughts to a broad audience. Student paper and final grades will be determined by the quality of written work; assignments are not pro forma. As a Writing Intensive course focusing on Ethics and Civic Responsibility, lecture and discussion will be devoted to engaging the ethical and civic responsibilities incumbent upon professionals, as well as developing individual student projects, including writing workshops, feedback sessions, and instruction in writing matters. MnTC Goal 9. |
|