Fall 2007 Honors Colloquia
In order to graduate on time, remember to keep your Honors Distribution choices on file in the Honors Office. See honors distribution to download the forms.
HUMANITIES COLLOQUIUM
Explore topics such as:
A. Boots and Petticoats: Women Explorers of the 19th and 20th Centuries
B. Patronage in Renaissance Florence
C. World War II and the Human Experience (Change in topic)
D. Contemporary Short Story and the Gothic Tradition
E. Islam and the West/America
F. Realism and Impressionism: Manet or Monet?
G. Travel as Education
H. (Recent Course Addition) Great Books anthology: The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler. Delayed start- course begins on Sept. 12.
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Boots and Petticoats: Women Explorers of the 19th and 20th Centuries
[70183] 1870:250-001
T Th 11:00-11:50 a.m., Honors Complex 183
Dr. Harvey Rosenthal
Before feminists, there were "independent women." In this course we will read of those unusual ladies who defied the stereotypical role of women and set their own agendas. Through these pioneers we can provoke and challenge our own images of the past and present: of gender roles, sexism, social and physical gender differences and the cultural defining processes. Plus, we can, following these brave gals, have some marvelous adventures.
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Patronage in Renaissance Florence
[70184] 1870:250-002
M W 1:10-2:00 p.m., Honors Complex 082
and [74271] 1870:250-005
M W 9:55-10:45 a.m., Honors Complex 082
and [75809] 1870:250-007
M W 2:15-3:05 p.m., Honors Complex 082
Cheryl Anne Morris
This colloquium will focus on Florence in the 14th to the beginning of the 16th century. Rather than a survey of Florentine Renaissance history, the course will examine a selection of artists and their works, the economy, and the roles of the patriciate and the church in patronage of the arts. Cultural changes in these years and the attitudes and values that shaped them resulted in changes in social and political institutions. We will study the significant role of these institutions and individuals as patrons and creators in the most important treasures of Florentine Renaissance art.
This is a course for nonspecialists, one that takes a look at the connection between the art of Florence and the varied political and cultural aspects that surrounded the creation of them.
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World War II and the Human Experience
[70185] 1870:250-003
W 12:05- 1:45 p.m., Honors Complex 183
S. Akers
This colloquium will examine World War II and its historical legacy from the viewpoint of the U.S. citizen soldier and his family. We will explore areas such as the impact and change World War II had on the participants, how these people then built a remarkably different post-war society, and the lasting effects of the experience. Materials to be used will be films, primary documents, and media of the time.
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Contemporary Short Story and the Gothic Tradition
[70186] 1870:250-004
WF 12:05- 12:55 p.m., Honors Complex 092
James Kagafas
This Humanities Honors Colloquium explores the relevance of 18th Century Gothic in 20th Century literature with an emphasis on the short story. Particular attention is paid to the American Southern Gothic of Faulkner, Oates, McCullers, Capote and others. Students will explore other avenues of the Gothic tradition, including Gothic art, architecture, music, and contemporary film. Requirements include reading assignments and analyses of short stories, and a student project to be presented to the class at the end of the semester.
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Islam and the West/America
[76436] 1870:250-006
T Th 2:15-3:05 p.m., Honors Complex 183
Dr. Harvey Rosenthal
In 1798 Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt with 30,000 French troops. They were headed for India to disrupt the British Empire. They didn't make it but the Middle East was shaken to its core. This was the first major Western attack on Islam since the Crusades. The Islamic world reacted to this in many ways and, in turn, brought on Western counter-reactions. This interaction will be the theme of our examination of Western-Islamic relations over the past two centuries.
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Realism and Impressionism: Manet or Monet?
[77420] 1870:250-008
M W 12:05-12:55 p.m., Honors Complex 082
Cheryl Anne Morris
The colloquium Manet or Monet will explore the social and political climate that was at the root of avant-guard and modernism in the mid-19th century France through the study of methods common in art history.
Through lectures, readings and class discussions we will study the Realists response to a new demand for democracy in art at a time of emerging political and social democracy. We will also examine the Impressionists rejection of conventions in themes and subject matter in their representations of light and atmosphere on the immediate, contemporary world. Modern painting became a product of modern culture, so we will also address the questions of gender, race, the place of women, the role of the spectator, and the notion of difference in society.
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Travel as Education
[77428] 1870:250-009
Tuesdays 1:10-2:50 p.m., Honors Complex 083
Ann Hassenpflug
This colloquium will examine three late twentieth century travel narratives which recount the authors’ journeys. These individuals chose travel as a means of learning about the world and about themselves. Unlike foreign correspondents, diplomats, or international corporation executives, these authors were not professionals whose careers required them to travel. These writers chose their own destinations and digressed from their career paths to fulfill their desire to travel. They wanted to travel to enrich their lives. All of them were willing to take risks and make difficult choices to undertake their journeys.
Two of the North American authors were in their twenties at the time of their trips and the third worked with teenage and college age students during her time abroad. The narratives describe diverse approaches to travel as well as a range of locations. Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage describes her round-the-world bicycle adventure with her husband. The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo by Paula Huntley recounts the author’s experiences in the post-war Balkans. Beyond the Sky and the Earth by Jamie Zeppa tells the life-changing story of a young Canadian in Bhutan.
The major focus of the colloquium will be discussion of the three books. Additionally two reaction papers will be required. The colloquium will also address the historical precedents for engaging in travel as a means to enhance an individual’s education and will examine travel narratives as a writing genre.
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(Recent Course Addition)
Delayed start- Course begins on Sept 12. Register NOW if you are able to take this course.
Seven Deadly Sins Sampler
[78092] 1870:250-010
Honors Colloquium : Humanities
2 W F 10:00- 11:00 a.m. Dr. Schlemmer HC 083
Pride. Envy. Anger. Sloth. Greed. Gluttony. Lust. Why has this list of human failings persisted throughout the ages? We struggle against and celebrate them in everyday life. Writers know that they are superb motivations in fiction. They can also be a springboard to Shared Inquiry discussion, a way of leading and participating in group discussion that can influence your own future meetings and interactions. Since the unexamined life is, as Plato and Socrates tell us, not worth living, assessment will be based on a combination of participation, student self-assessment, and several short written papers.
Text: The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, Great Books Foundation, August 2007. Available at 2nd class meeting. Cost is $23.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES COLLOQUIUM
A Social Movements: Civil Rights, Anti-War, Equal Rights for Women
B Religion and Science: History and Issues
C The Role of The Mass Media in Shaping Public Attitudes and Opinions
D Shaping a Generation: The Baby Boomers and U.S. Popular Culture
E American Highways and American Wanderlust
F Ethnic America
Social Science Colloquia Descriptions:
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Social Movements: Civil Rights, Anti-War, Equal Rights for Women
[70187] 1870:360-001
T TH 11:00-11:50 p.m., Honors Complex 082
and
[70189] 1870:360-003
[70190] 1870:360-004
T TH 2:15-3:05 p.m., Honors Complex 082
Dr. Stanley Akers
In this colloquium we will examine the theory of social movements in modern US society and focus on the Civil Rights, Women's, and Anti-War Movements. Our objective is to examine the role of movements in formation of public policy and the interaction between movements and their impact not only on the society of the time, but their role in creating conditions which require further action in the 21st Century.
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Religion and Science: History and Issues
[70188] 1870:360-002
Tu Th 11:00-11:50 a.m., Honors Complex 083
Dr. Paul Stroble
Science and religion: are they friends, passing acquaintances, or enemies? Some people argue that religion and science are necessarily antagonistic, while others argue that they're legitimate but nonoverlapping pursuits of truth, while others argue that they're quite complementary! Can a scientist also be religious? Some have been—Isaac Newton and Gregor Mendel come to mind. Other scientists, like Albert Einstein, have believed in a God but not a personal God, while still other scientists have been outspoken atheists. In this course we’ll examine some of the many aspects of the relationship of science and religion. We’ll take a primarily historical approach, looking at several scientists and theologians, as well as contemporary debates about evolution, medical research, and public education.
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The Role of The Mass Media in Shaping Public Attitudes and Opinions
[70190] 1870:360-004
[70189] 1870:360-003
T TH 1:10-2:00 p.m., Honors Complex 082
Dr. Stanley Akers
This colloquium will focus on the role of the mass media, particularly television and the Internet, in shaping public attitudes and opinions, and by extension public policy. We will examine such events as the Army-McCarthy Hearings, the Kennedy Assassination, the Vietnam War, notable criminal cases and terrorism coverage with a view to understanding how public perception is shaped and acted upon politically.
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Shaping a Generation: The Baby Boomers and U.S. Popular Culture
[76454] 1870:360-005
M W 3:20-4:10 p.m., Honors Complex 082
and [77433] 1870:360-008
M W 2:15-3:05 p.m. Honors Complex 092
Sarah M. Akers
In this colloquium, we will examine the fifteen years of U.S. history following the Second World War. This period was seminal in forming the attitudes and values of the generation known as the Baby Boomers who form the country's current leadership - political, economic, religious and cultural. We will make this examination primarily through the prism of U.S. popular culture.
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Buckeye Presidents
[75702] 1870:360-006
Tu Th 12:05-12:55 p.m. Honors Complex 083
Dr. Paul Stroble
Eight of our 43 presidents have been Ohioans. Most of them--all but one, in fact--served during the sixty years following the Civil War. Can you name all eight? After you take this colloquium, not only will you be able to name all eight, but you'll have a new appreciation of the role of these important Ohioans in our nation's history. You'll learn that the president with the shortest term was an Ohioan, the largest president was an Ohioan, two of our four assassinated presidents were Ohioans, and you'll learn that the period following the Civil War was a crucial one in the development of the nation.
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Ethnic America
[77432] 1870:360-007
Tu Th 1:10-2:00 p.m. Honors Complex 183
Dr. Harvey Rosenthal
The American experiment is not a story of a nation but of a polyglot of nations that forges a composite nation and state. For 400 years peoples from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have come to this land – voluntarily and involuntarily. They settled, built, and interacted with each other and the new environment, but all in their own way for the American “Melting Pot” never resulted in complete homogeneity. We will look closely at several of these immigrant groups and explore the process of assimilation in its unique American version. From the perspective of history, economics, sociology, and psychology we will examine the many factors that made the “American”. We will also join the debate on the question of immigration and its role in the America of the 21st century. The future shape of this Republic is in the making. Be an informed part of the process.
Note: Texts: Thomas Sowell, Ethnic America Immigration;
Opposing Viewpoints
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NATURAL SCIENCES COLLOQUIUM
[70191] 1870:470-001
T Th 12:05-12:55 Honors Complex 092
Dr. Richard Mostardi, Biomedical Engineering
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[70192] 1870:470-002
T 12:05-12:55 & Th 1:10 - 2:00 p.m. Honors Complex 092
Dr. Richard Mostardi, Biomedical Engineering
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[70193] 1870:470-003
T 12:05-12:55 & Th 2:15 - 3:05 p.m. Honors Complex 092
Dr. Richard Mostardi, Biomedical Engineering
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[75705] 1870:470-004
Thursdays
3:20-5:00 p.m. Honors Complex 082
Dr. Patricia Galon, Nursing
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Energy, the Environment, and the Economy: ‘Facts’ vs. ‘Myths’
[75992] 1870:470-005
Mondays 12:05-1:45 p.m. Honors Complex 092
Dr. Rex Ramsier, Physics and Director, Institute for Teaching & Learning
In this colloquium, we will investigate a wide variety of well-known and not-so-familiar forms of energy conversion technologies. We will discuss the positive and negative influence of these on both local and global environments and economies. Our investigations will lead us to think about big questions, such as “What do words such as ‘sustainable’ and ‘renewable’ really mean?” We will also be comparing and contrasting the scientific evidence surrounding energy technologies with what is presented in the not-so-scientific arenas. Selected readings will be assigned as needed in advance of our discussions, and students will be expected to actively participate during class as well as to take the initiative to seek out information on various topics and present these to the class.
