Seminars

HONORS SEMINARS
FALL 2013

NOTE:
• You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
• You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40—“Psychology of Dreaming” M 3:00-4:15; Robert Fuller, Religious Studies & Philosophy
This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41—“Global Warming Debate” M 3:00-3:50; Dr. MaxTaylor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Despite a considerable weight of scientific evidence, there is still a lively debate today over the existence of global warming at all, whether global warming, if it exists, is "natural" in origin or anthropomorphic. The book to be read by Michael Mann describes the scientific discovery and subsequent years of debate over the meaning of the scientific observations. This is an excellent insider's view of the issues at hand. We will also look at a few other authors' views of topics in parallel with those discussed in Mann. Meetings are scheduled 3-3:50 Monday afternoon. It is expected that we will meet each Monday of the semester. Seminar participants will develop and write a short paper on a topic discussed or closely related to the discussion of the seminar.

Book is Michael E. Mann, "The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars, Dispatches from the Front Lines", Columbia Univ. Press, 2012, ISBN 978 0 213-15254-9 (cloth)

978 0 231 52638-8 (ebook) I have this on my Kindle.

42—“International Perspectives” W 12:00-12:50; Dr. William Toel, Business Administration
Open to all students who want to explore opportunities across the world (and define themselves, their potentials in the process). Especially relevant to Business and International Studies students. This seminar explores the complexities of doing business across many cultures. The seminar will begin with an historical perspective, bringing it into clear understanding of the current international financial/credit crisis, and anticipates the future changes necessary that will be relevant for students today. One aspect will be the freedom demanded by rapid globalization coming into increasing conflict with both nationalism and a wide variety of regulations and standards. The seminar uses a variety of examples to demonstrate the contradictions that business people will increasingly face over the next twenty years. This seminar is applicable to all honors students with an insatiable curiosity about how the world works: No finance prerequisites.

43—“Steve Jobs/Life Lessons” W 1:00-1:50; Dr. Chris Kasch, Communication Dept.

Title "Life Lesson: Steve Jobs-The Genius and the Darker Side"

This course will focus on Steve Jobs' life as an entrepreneur whose passion, creativity, and

businesses changed the world. Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs will serve as the

platform for the course. Topics in the course will include transformational leadership, innovation,

interpersonal style, work-life balance and so forth.

Book- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

44—“Religion and Film” TU 7:00-10:00; Dr. Dan Getz, Phil. & Religious St. Dept.
Religion has been a central theme of film the world over since the invention of cinema in the 1890s. How have filmmakers represented spiritual individuals and organized religions? Are films on religiosity primarily critiques of religion, or are they spiritual responses to the events, sufferings, and hopes of their times? This seminar, co-directed by Dr. Getz (Religious Studies Department) and Dr. Williams (History Department) will address these and other themes of interest to students. We will watch one movie per week, including such films as The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Seventh Seal, Deliver Us From Evil, The Chosen, Kundun, and After Life, and then we will discuss the week's film as a group.

45—“Religion and Film ” TU 7:00-10:00; Dr. John Williams, History Dept.
Religion has been a central theme of film the world over since the invention of cinema in the 1890s. How have filmmakers represented spiritual individuals and organized religions? Are films on religiosity primarily critiques of religion, or are they spiritual responses to the events, sufferings, and hopes of their times? This seminar, co-directed by Dr. Getz (Religious Studies Department) and Dr. Williams (History Department) will address these and other themes of interest to students. We will watch one movie per week, including such films as The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Seventh Seal, Deliver Us From Evil, The Chosen, Kundun, and After Life, and then we will discuss the week's film as a group.

46—“What the Buddha Taught” MW 3:00-3:50; Dr. Phil Jones, History Dept.
This seminar consists of class discussion of the central concepts of the Buddhist philosophy/religion. Discussions will focus on two small paperback books: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula and Zen Action, Zen Person by T. P. Kasulis. Class times will be on Monday and Wednesday at 3-3:50 for the first half of the semester. Course grade will be determined by brief quizzes over each day's reading.

47—“Cultural Awareness” TU 4:30-6:00; Dr. Margaret Young, Communications Dept.
This seminar will provide a relaxed atmosphere of competitive learning – challenging students to expand their knowledge and to learn common facts and information that are relevant to our lives and shape our culture. The purpose is to help students gain knowledge about general things – things everyone should know, things that are part of our collective history and culture. One way of putting it is that this seminar will help students round out their knowledge of “useful trivia”—information that educated people should have about the world they live in.
At the end of the semester students will choose a topic/tidbit of knowledge to expand upon in a three page academic paper - the papers would also be submitted electronically so they can be put online. During the final class period, students will present their paper to the class.

48—“Infinity” TU 3:00-4:15; Dr. Matt Timm, Math Dept.
Are there different sizes of infinity? We will look at various situations that involve the infinite and discover that any time notions of infinity are involved interesting things can happen. Along the way we will give a good definition of infinity and provide an answer to the above question. We will meet for 10 weeks.

49--"Cultural Awareness" TU 4:30-6:00; Joshua Dickhaus, Communications Dept.
This seminar will provide a relaxed atmosphere of competitive learning – challenging students to expand their knowledge and to learn common facts and information that are relevant to our lives and shape our culture. The purpose is to help students gain knowledge about general things – things everyone should know, things that are part of our collective history and culture. One way of putting it is that this seminar will help students round out their knowledge of “useful trivia”—information that educated people should have about the world they live in.
At the end of the semester students will choose a topic/tidbit of knowledge to expand upon in a three page academic paper - the papers would also be submitted electronically so they can be put online. During the final class period, students will present their paper to the class.

3/15/2013

HONORS SEMINARS

SPRING 2013

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for Honors courses on Thursday, November 1st; Sophomores on Monday, November 5th; and Freshman on Wednesday, November 7th. Starting Thursday, November 8th, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 101 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101

40—“Big Questions” TU 3:30-4:45; Robert Fuller, Religious Studies & Philosophy

This seminar will feature class discussion and inquiry into some of humanity’s most enduring questions: Where did the universe come from? What is human nature? What is the meaning of life? What happens when we die? What makes an action moral? How should educated people approach debates about the existence and/or attributes of God? The seminar will meet approximately eight or nine weeks. The reading for each week will provide an overview of one of the big questions. Class discussion will center on how a university education best helps us approach these questions. How can we engage in evidence-based reasoning (as opposed to sheer wishful thinking)? What constitutes “evidence” for these big questions? .

41—“Science and Faith” TU 3:00-4:15; Wayne Bosma, Chemistry and Biochemistry

This seminar will explore the interrelationship between the rational methods of science and the beliefs of Judeo-Christian religious faith. When a scientist has religious beliefs, are these a help or a hindrance to his/her profession? What attitudes should a theistic nonscientist have toward science? These questions and others will be critically analyzed.

43—“Neurotherapy” TU 11:00-12:00; Lori Russell-Chapin, Assoc. Dean EHS/Human Services & Counseling

This short course will introduce students to the fundamental processes and techniques of neurotherapy and neurofeedback. Students will be able to define neurofeedback (NFB), a type of biofeedback for the brain using EEG and computerized technologies. Basic understanding of NFB’s underlying principles of operant conditioning will be discussed. NFB assists in optimizing brain wave regulation thus identifying causes of brain dysregulation. NFB efficacy research will be offered for differing mental health symptoms. Students will have the opportunity to participate in demonstrations of NFB and other neurotherapy techniques.

44—“Understanding Cancer” TU 4:00-5:00; Alan Galsky, VP. Student Affairs—Biology

This seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment. The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field. Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer.

45—“The Security State” M 10:00-10:50; Wayne Evens, Social Work Program

This course will explore the transition from welfare state to security state. It will examine the effects of the development of the state as the instrument of security and its impacts on democracy and civil rights.

46—“Interpersonal Communication” M 3:00-4:15; Laura Bruns, Communications Dept.

Description: Our relationships with others have a huge impact on our self-perception, self-esteem, decisions, ultimately, our life. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn to communicate better with those around us! This seminar is designed to increase your understanding and implementation of effective interpersonal communication behaviors and skills. In this seminar, we will examine basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting communication in family, friend, romantic and workplace relationships. Some topics we will discuss in the course: What is Interpersonal Comm?, Communicating Emotions and Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Communication in Friendships, Romantic Communication and Relationship Stages, Family Communication/Dynamics, Workplace Communication, Conflict and How to Manage It, and How Media (movies, TV, magazines, news, blogs, etc.) Portray Relational Communication.

47—“Surveillance Society” W 1:00-1:50; Ed Lamoureux, IM-Communications Dept.

Privacy in Contemporary America—

Governments, the organizations in which we work/study/play, the businesses that provide us with products and services, and social networks in which we participate, collect, store, and disseminate an ever-increasing amount of information about people. The collection of, access to, and management of this data plays a important role in the coordination of people in modern life. In some cases, the circulation of information advantages people in obvious and purposive ways; in other instances the data-flow works against citizens' best interests, usually behind the scene. The development of new media technologies coincides with massive changes in privacy practices in the United States. The future of life in America (not to mention within the global context) is to a large degree tied directly to data management and privacy practices. The course examines the contours of these problematic aspects of contemporary life.

10/03/2012

HONORS SEMINARS
FALL, 2012

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for Honors courses on Thursday, April 5th; Sophomores on Monday, April 9th; and Freshman on Wednesday, 11th. Starting Thursday, April 12th, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W -- 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41—“MIDWEST ART AND DESIGN IN GLOBAL CONTEXT” -- TH – 2:00-3:15 - Dr. Paul Krainak HEU 300 (18 seats)

This seminar will explore the ideas that led to the formation and current activity of the Inland Visual Studies Center at Bradley University. The chair of Bradley Department of Art will introduce students to the vitality of Midwest Art & Design and explore its significance in a global culture. A fantastic opportunity to learn something about the role of art at Bradley, the Midwest, and the world. Will meet for the first half of the semester.

42—“INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE”—W -- 12:00-12:50 – William Toel (Business Dept)

Open to all students who want to explore opportunities across the world (and define themselves, their potentials in the process). Especially relevant to Business and International Studies students. T his seminar explores the complexities of doing business across many cultures. The seminar will begin with an historical perspective, bringing it into clear understanding of the current international financial/credit crisis, and anticipates the future changes necessary that will be relevant for students today. One aspect will be the freedom demanded by rapid globalization coming into increasing conflict with both nationalism and a wide variety of regulations and standards. The seminar uses a variety of examples to demonstrate the contradictions that business people will increasingly face over the next twenty years. This seminar is applicable to all honors students with an insatiable curiosity about how the world works: No finance prerequisites.

43—“MEDIA CRITICISM” – W -- 1:00-1:50 -- Dr. Chris Kasch

This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through reading, viewing, and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the influence of television, we will also examine other forms of media that contribute to popular culture. As consumers of media, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and interpret our viewing experiences and the experiences and responses of those around us. As member of a society in which media are used, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and evaluate both the overt and subtle ways in which the media can shape aesthetic, social, and cultural values. We will use a number of videos produced by the Media Education Foundation as a point of departure for understanding the perspectives of Jean Kilbourne, Naomi Green, Robert McChesney, Neil Postman and others.

44—“BUDGETS, PENSIONS, TRADE UNIONS, AND OBAMACARE: DO THE ISSUES EVEN MATTER IN 2012” —TU -- 7:30-9:00 E – Dr. Craig Curtis

This course will focus on the 2012 election from the perspective of the issues that matter the most for the long term future of the nation and the state of Illinois. As the class examines public opinion on the major issues along side of the polls as they are reported, the question of whether the voters base their decisions on likely policy outcomes will arise. Additionally, the question of the role that rational policy debates plays in America will be examined.

We will meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9 from the first week of class through to election night. On election night, Dr. C. will host the students for an informal dinner and election night coverage.

45—“RECENT U.S. FILMMAKING” – TH -- 7:00-10:00 E – Dr. John Williams

In this honors seminar, we will watch and discuss some of the most artistically and emotionally ambitious movies made in the United States since 1997. Some of the films to be shown include: “There Will Be Blood,” “Chris and Don: A Love Story,” “Wall-E,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Winter’s Bone,” “Warrior,” “Tree of Life,” “Beginners,” and “The Descendants.” Students will be expected to participate actively and to write a number of journal entries.

46—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TU -- 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library. (20 seats)

47—“CHALLENGE TO THE CITY” — MW -- 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones

The text for this seminar consists of one book - Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream by Andres Duany. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. The book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Kunstler, and others.

48—“GENERAL KNOWLEDGE” – TU -- 5:30-6:30 – Dr. Margaret Young

This seminar will provide a relaxed atmosphere of competitive learning – challenging students to expand their knowledge and to learn common facts and information that are relevant to our lives and shape our culture. The purpose is to help students gain knowledge about general things – things everyone should know, things that are part of our collective history and culture. One way of putting it is that this seminar will help students round out their knowledge of “useful trivia”—information that educated people should have about the world they live in.

At the end of the semester students will choose a topic/tidbit of knowledge to expand upon in a three page academic paper - the papers would also be submitted electronically so they can be put online. During the final class period, students will present their paper to the class.

49—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – M -- 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library. (20 seats)

3-16-2012

HONORS SEMINARS
SPRING 2012

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 101 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101

40—“BIG QUESTIONS” – TU 3:30-4:45; Dr. Bob Fuller (Philosophy & Religious Studies)

41—“PILLARS OF BRADLEY” – M 3:00-4:30; Dr. Nina Collins (FCS Dept. Emeritus)

Lydia and Tobias Bradley came to Peoria from Indiana and made a lasting mark on the city of Peoria, including the founding of an institution to graduate students for “industrious and useful lives.” Lydia Moss Bradley relied on a number of pillars to found Bradley Polytechnic Institute in 1897. This seminar will study the history of those pillars, including persons and buildings, responsible for what we now know as Bradley University. The seminar will meet the first Monday of the semester, then reconvene after Spring Break on Mondays beginning March 19. Time: 3:00 to 4:30.

42—“2012 ELECTION” – W 3:00-4:15; Dr. William Hall (Political Sci. Dept.-Emeritus)

The course will look at the candidates, the issues, the political process in place for the 2012 election cycle, etc. Students will decide which issues we want to focus on, etc. The Republican nominee will likely be determined during the semester, so we will watch—that unfold—in real time. Class will utilize oodles of discussion. At the first class we will try to set the meeting schedule. I envision 8, maybe 10 meetings….

43—“PRODUCING SHAKESPEARE” — TU 4:00-5:00; Dr. Martha Craig (English Dept.)

This seminar will look at how Shakespeare himself was "produced" by his times; what factors influenced his production (writing and staging) of the play “The Tempest”; and the Bradley Theatre Department's production, from start to finish, of the play for a modern audience. Students must have a copy of The Bedford edition of The Tempest, which has lots of primary documents and good commentary, good class participation, etc. The seminar will not meet all semester, but students must be free to attend an evening rehearsal and performance.

44—“UNDERSTANDING CANCER” – TU 4:00-5:00; Dr. Alan Galsky (VP for Student Affairs)

This honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment. The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field. Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer.

Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

45—“ZEN & PHILOSOPHY”— M 1:00-1:50; Dr. Timothy Koeltzow (Psychology Dept.)

This seminar will explore one of the most philosophically interesting novels of all time, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. This is an opportunity to advance your understanding of different ways of knowing. This not only includes certain aspects of Zen Buddhism, but is grounded in the philosophical contrasts of Plato and Aristotle and culminates in an analysis of the contemporary products of the scientific method. Ultimately, by virtue of its emphasis on Quality, this course in an inquiry into secular values.

46—“GENERAL KNOWLEDGE” – TU 6:30-7:30; Margaret Young and Rickey Thein (Communications Dept.)

This seminar will provide a relaxed atmosphere of competitive learning – challenging students to expand their knowledge and to learn common facts and information that are relevant to our lives and shape our culture. The purpose is to help students gain knowledge about general things – things everyone should know, things that are part of our collective history and culture. One way of putting it is that this seminar will help students round out their knowledge of “useful trivia”—information that educated people should have about the world they live in.
At the end of the semester students will choose a topic/tidbit of knowledge to expand upon in a three page academic paper - the papers would also be submitted electronically so they can be put online. During the final class period, students will present their paper to the class.

47—“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN” – F 2:00-3:15; Dr. Peter Dusenbery (English Dept.)

On first being introduced to Harriet Beecher Stowe, President Lincoln is reputed to have said "So, you are the little woman who made the great war." During the sesquicentennial period of the Civil War, it seems appropriate to read and discuss the book to which Lincoln refers--Uncle Tom's Cabin. Our Norton critical edition of this popular novel will also contain insights into social and political background, as well as critical interpretations, of a book that remains controversial to this day. The class meets every other week. In addition to reading and discussing the book, students will keep a reading journal and write a paper of about 7-8 pages.

48—“DEVELOPMENT OF MATH” – ARR.; Dr. Dennis Kroll (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Dept.)

“Is GOD a Mathematician?” by Mario Livio explores the basic questions – Do we discover math or create it? Why is math so effective in describing the “real” world? Starting with Pythagoras and working through the history of math and the philosophy of mathematics the book explores many changes in how we view this topic. While so fairly deep discussion is involved, Mr. Livio keeps the math well explained and easy to follow.

This course will be 95% online with only one or two scheduled get-togethers. Given the 9 chapters, we will take a week or two on each chapter depending on length. I hope to keep some time at the end of the semester to go back to topics the students choose.

10/17/2011

HONORS SEMINARS
FALL, 2011

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for honors courses on Thursday, April 7; Sophomores on Monday, April 11; and Freshman on Wednesday, 13. Starting Thursday, April 14, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41—“CULTURAL LITERACY” W 6:30-8:00 – Dr. Margaret Young & Rickey Thein

42—“INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE”—W 12:00-12:50 – William Toel (Business Dept)

43—“SOIL AND SURVIVAL” – M 1:00-1:50 -- Dr. Sherri Jeakins Morris

Soil is essential to survival on this planet. The quality and quantity of food available on the planet is dependent on soil fertility and structure.

This course will focus on the natural processes that result in soil formation, the importance of soils through human history and current threats

to this valuable natural resource. The course will be delivered through lecture, discussion and debate.

44—“GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE” — F 2:00-3:30 — Dr. Jeanie Bukowski

This course will address the current state of international negotiations to reach an agreement within the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to replace the Kyoto Protocol (which expires in 2012). In order to understand the difficulty of reaching agreement on this important issue, we will examine the following: 1) the current scientific evidence on global climate change, particularly as presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); 2) the national interests of states in the international system regarding climate change; 3) how conflicting national interests, as well as the “collective goods problem,” are manifested in international negotiations. We will end the course with a simulation of the current climate change negotiations, with students playing the role of country leaders.

45—“BROTHERS KARAMAZOV” – TH 12:00-12:50. – Dr. Kevin Swafford

In this seminar we will read closely Fyodor Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, The Brothers Karamazov (1879)—one of the most important novels ever written. The Brothers Karamazov is a novel about many things, though at its core it is a work of art that is deeply rooted in social, psychological, and philosophical speculation. In the book, Dostoevsky explores and grapples with issues concerning human freedom, good and evil, the contingencies and meaning of suffering, and the possibilities of profound love and right action. It is a novel that will engage you like few others.

We will be meeting bi-weekly (every other Thursday—with a couple of exceptions)—which means that you will have to be fairly disciplined in your reading and thinking about The Brothers Karamazov . I suggest that you make Dostoevsky’s great book a part of your daily reading (a few pages a day)—but, in any case, do not procrastinate in reading.

For the course you will be expected to read the entirety of the novel, to keep a reader response journal (minimum 300 words a week), and to write an essay (5-8 pages in length) that analyzes and discusses a central issue of the work. Welcome!

46—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TU 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library. (20 seats)

47—“INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSE” — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

As the title indicates, the purpose of the seminar is to investigate the nature of intellectual discussion -- what is it; how is it conducted? There will be 12 topics that the class will discuss. Grade will be determined by short comments via email.

48—“FOOD ADVERTISING” – TU 5:00-6:00 — Margaret Young (Comm. Dept.)

This seminar class meets once a week for 10 weeks to give a glimpse into the pop/cultural world of food advertising with the focus on history, gender, and the social roles it plays in our lives.

LAS 101-02 -- “POST-WAR EUROPEAN FILMS” -- M 7:00-10:00 pm – Dr. John Williams (History)

This course will investigate postwar European cinema in the historical context of the legacies of World War II, the Cold War, changes in social relations, and popular protest. Some of the movies we will watch transcend genre, while others will be examples of comedy, fantasy, horror, the love story, the war film, and the musical. Each class will last up to three hours, taken up by the film itself and a discussion afterwards. The course grade will be based on (1) a class presentation, with a partner, introducing one of the films, and (2) participation in discussion.

3-21-2011

HONORS SEMINARS
SPRING, 2011

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.

You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for honors courses on Thursday, Oct. 28; Sophomores on Monday, Nov. 1; and Freshman on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Starting Thursday, Nov. 4, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

HON 101 40—“BIG QUESTIONS” – TU 3:30-4:45 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Philosophy & Religious Studies)This seminar will feature class discussion and inquiry into some of humanity’s most enduring questions: Where did the universe come from? What is human nature? What is the meaning of life? What happens when we die? What makes an action moral? How should educated people approach debates about the existence and/or attributes of God? The seminar will meet approximately eight or nine weeks. The reading for each week will provide an overview of one of the big questions. Class discussion will center on how a university education best helps us approach these questions. How can we engage in evidence-based reasoning (as opposed to sheer wishful thinking)? What constitutes “evidence” for these big questions?

41—“MEDIA CRITICISM” –W 1:00-1:50 -- Dr. Chris Kasch (Communication Dept.) This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through reading, viewing, and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the influence of television, we will also examine other forms of media that contribute to popular culture. As consumers of media, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and interpret our viewing experiences and the experiences and responses of those around us. As member of a society in which media are used, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and evaluate both the overt and subtle ways in which the media can shape aesthetic, social, and cultural values. We will use a number of videos produced by the Media Education Foundation as a point of departure for understanding the perspectives of Jean Kilbourne, Naomi Green, Robert McChesney, Neil Postman and others.

43—“SEINFELD AND LAW” — W 12:00-1:15 — Dr. Sandra Perry (BMA Dept.) Discussions focus on a broad range of legal issues affecting society today and use of Seinfeld television clips to introduce topics in class, with assignment of appellate cases for reading in advance for class discussion. The seminar will focus on class participation and a paper on an approved legal topic.

44—“ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY & MIND” – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Allen Huffcutt (Psychology Dept.)Psychology was defined for decades as the study of behavior. Then, quietly, thinking came back into vogue, so that Psychology became the study of behavior and thinking. What is the new science of thinking (say, Steven Pinker, Daniel Kahneman) and how does it differ from the old concern with thinking (say, Sigmund Freud)? What’s become of the unconscious? If behavior is determined by environment (family, social forces) and by heredity (modules in the brain), what becomes of free will? What are the potential built-in biases or heuristics that may interfere with rational decision-making? Can knowledge of these mechanisms help us make better interpersonal, financial, and general life-decisions? Readings (magazine articles, brief chapters) will be distributed or on reserve. Emphasis will be on discussion. The class will meet for nine sessions.

45—“UNDERSTANDING CANCER” – TU 4:00-5:00. – Dr. Alan GalskyThis honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment. The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field. Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer. Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

46—“SCIENCE & FAITH”—TU 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Wayne Bosma (Chemistry and Biochemistry)This seminar will explore the interrelationship between the rational methods of science and the beliefs of Judeo-Christian religious faith. When a scientist has religious beliefs, are these a help or a hindrance to his/her profession? What attitudes should a theistic nonscientist have toward science? These questions and others will be critically analyzed.

48—“BRANDING AND CONSUMING FOOD” – TU 5:00-6:00 — Margaret Young (Comm. Dept.) This seminar class meets once a week for 10 weeks to give a glimpse into the pop/cultural world of food advertising with the focus on history, gender, and the social roles it plays in our lives. This seminar will be much like the one Dr. Young offered in the fall semester. The new seminar will continue to explore branding and food consumption.

18-Oct-2010---------

HONORS SEMINARS
FALL, 2010

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100 40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41—“FOOD ADVERTISING” – TU 5:00-6:00 — Margaret Young (Comm. Dept.) This seminar class meets once a week for 10 weeks to give a glimpse into the pop/cultural world of food advertising with the focus on history, gender, and the social roles it plays in our lives.

42—“INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE”—W 12:00-12:50 – William Toel (Business Dept)

43—“MEDIA CRITICISM” –W 1:00-1:50 -- Dr. Chris Kasch

44—“HERO’S JOURNEY” — TU 1:00-3:30 — Dr. Chris Rybak This course will introduce and familiarize the student with the world of Carl Jung. Basic Jungian concepts of the psyche will be explored during this experientially-oriented seminar. Dreamwork, active imagination, archetypes, and movement toward wholeness will be of special focus. 45—“FRAUD IN FILM” – TH 3:00-5:00. – Dr. Shondra JohnsonThrough entertainment and documentary films, we will explore how some fraud schemes are perpetuated. In addition, we will see how fraud is investigated and what life is like after experiencing fraud.

46—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TU 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library. (20 seats)

47—“ART OF VIRTUAL REALITY” – Mondays, 3-4:30 pm -- every other week – Sarah GloverConducted primarily in the virtual world know as Second Life, this class will explore the visual dynamics of that environment. As we move through the medieval forests, poetic landscapes, art galleries, and disjointed worlds of Second Life, we will discuss the aesthetic successes and failings of these environments. We will also meet and converse with the artists and builders who create these interactive worlds. Slip into your avatar…and join the tour of this visually creative, and crazy, virtual world. Note: This course does not assume that you have had any experience in virtual realities or avatar construction.

48—“CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS AS A REFERENDUM ON OBAMA: HEALTH CARE, TEA, AND CREEPING SOCIALISM” with Dr. Craig Curtis (Pol. Sci.) Mondays from 2 to 3:15 in BR 135 – with the last session on the Monday after Election Day (Nov. 8)

Description: This course will be a layman’s look at the fall congressional elections as a referendum on Obama’s first two years in office. The basic premise of democracy is that elections are the most important opportunity for the citizens to show their approval/disapproval of the performance of the government. Obama has enacted sweeping reforms in health care, and has proposed further reforms in the regulation of the financial markets and environmental policy. The Republicans are angry and have vowed that the fall election will show public disapproval for these policies in the losses of seats that the Democratic Party will suffer. Rhetoric is high and name calling is common. All of this is complicated by the Tea Party movement which may have a significant effect on the election, and may not, and the enormous amount of deficit spending that is occurring. Perhaps most importantly, the system is structured so that unseating of incumbents is hard to do because of the way that apportionment is done and because of the advantage that incumbents have in fund raising. Topics will include examination of the Obama policy agenda, the deficit, the Tea Party, campaign finance, how parties organize for congressional elections, and reapportionment.

49—“INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSE” — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

3/29/2010

HONORS SEMINARS
SPRING 2009

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101 40—“OTHER GOSPELS” – TU 3:30-4:45 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore the debate over what we actually know about the historical Jesus. Readings will introduce students to the history and politics leading to the selection of just 4 gospels of the approximately 30 gospels then circulating among Christians. Why were these 4 chosen? Why were the others excluded? What is in the other gospels and how do they portray the nature of Jesus and his message? This seminar invites students to reflect on how they go about deciding what to believe in. The seminar will probably not be of interest to students who currently have strong beliefs about Jesus since readings and discussion will raise serious questions about all efforts to understand the historical Jesus.

The class will probably meet 8 weeks. Students will be required to write a paper analyzing the historical background and message of one of the “gnostic gospels.” Required reading: Elaine Pagels, The Gnostic Gospels plus hand-out readings.

41 — “JANE ADDAMS” – W 3:00-5:00 – Dr. Wayne Evens (Sociology)

This seminar will look at some of the writings of Jane Addams and apply her thought to current social issues. It will include a Saturday field trip to Hull House in Chicago, a meeting with a Jane Addams impersonator, exploring the Jane Addams collection in the Bradley library and discussions of how Jane might suggest we approach current social issues. Students will gain an understanding of social activism.

42— “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, TECHNOLOGY, AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN AMERICA TODAY” – MW 12:00-1:00; Dr. Ed Lamoureux (Communcations)

File sharing, illegal downloading, plagiarism, “cut and paste” culture; these and related topics put intellectual property law in the forefront of cultural experiences at American colleges and universities today. The history of the development of US IP law finds the interests of large, corporate entities pitted against the rights of common citizens, often with results that seem to stand against history and those philosophies and their practical implications in the 21st century “Age of information,” especially as applied to life at institutions of higher education.

43— “WALDEN” – TU 12:00-12:50 every other week; Dr. Kevin Swafford (English)

In this seminar we will read closely Henry David Thoreau’s masterpiece, Walden (1854). Though it is subtitled, Life in the Woods, the book is not simply an autobiographical account of Thoreau’s two year sojourn away from “civilized life” on the shores of Walden Pond. Rather, it is one of the great philosophical/narrative explorations of the possibility of “living deliberately.” In the book, Thoreau explores the virtues of simplicity, the spiritual and intellectual significance of Nature, the moral responsibilities of individual self-reliance and social cooperation, and the limitations of materialism and “civilization.” It is a book that will engage you like few others. For the course you will be expected to read the entirety of Walden, to keep a reader response journal, and to write an essay (7-8 pages in length) that analyzes and discusses a central issue of the work. Welcome!

44—“STEM CELL SCIENCE”—F 12:00-12:50; Dr. Craig Cady (Biology)

The first two class periods will focus on clarifying this field particularly the general biology, function and vocabulary. After establishing a basic level of understanding we will have the tools to discuss the many ethical topics that exist in this field. Students who attend will understand general stem cell biology and therefore have the tools to rationally consider the many ethical problems/questions in the media and literature.

45 —“MIND ALTERING MUSIC” – W 2:00-2:50 — Dr. Ray Zarvell (Emeritus)This seminar can begin to help us understand why we enjoy certain music and “cringe” at the sound of other music. With more people listening to music than ever before (likely because of the invention of the “Ipod” and MP3 players) we have a greater range of musical genres than ever before. Along with this increased access, people are seeking non-invasive and “natural” cures for their illnesses and pains. As a result, how music affects us emotionally and physically, and the application of such knowledge, is the primary focus of this seminar. Our niche’ is somewhere between music appreciation and the psychology of music. This seminar meets once a week during the entire semester. Our optimum enrollment is 20 students because of the time required to present mini-symposia toward the end of the semester. The instructor will entertain requests over that limit if there is an extraordinary or compelling reason. The seminar information and appropriate supporting materials are provided to each student in a binder. Those binders will be checked out and then returned at the end of the semester. The purchase of additional materials is likely not necessary. 46—“UNDERSTANDING CANCER” – TU 4:00-5:00 – Dr. Alan GalskyThis honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment. The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field. Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer.

Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

47—“PRODUCING SHAKESPEARE: THE PLAYWRIGHT AND THE PLAY" -TU 4:30-5:30 pm; Dr. Martha Craig (English)

This seminar will look at how Shakespeare himself was "produced" by his times; what factors influenced his production (writing and staging) of the play "Twelfth Night"; and the Bradley Theatre Department's production, from start to finish, of the play for a modern audience. Students must have a copy of The Bedford edition of Twelfth Night, which has lots of primary documents and good commentary, good class participation, etc. The seminar will not meet all semester, but students must be free to attend an evening rehearsal and performance.

ALSO: LAS 101-02 “WOMEN IN WORLD FILM” – W 7:00-10 pm – John Williams

This one counts as an honors seminar requirement. NOT RESERVED--Register online when you register for your other classes.

12-Oct-09

Honors Seminars
FALL, 2009

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41— “ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE” – F 11:00-12:15 ( for 7 weeks) Dr. Tim Koeltzow (Psychology Dept.)This seminar will explore one of the most philosophically interesting novels of all time. This is an opportunity to advance your understanding of different ways of knowing. This not only includes certain aspects of Zen Buddhism, but is grounded in the philosophical contrasts of Plato and Aristotle and culminates in an analysis of the contemporary products of the scientific method. Ultimately, by virtue of its emphasis on Quality, this course in an inquiry into secular values.

42—“GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: Is International Agreement Possible?” – F 2:00-3:30 (for 7 weeks) — Dr. Jeanie Bukowski (IS Dept.)This course will address the current state of international negotiations to reach an agreement within the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to replace the Kyoto Protocol (which expires in 2012). In order to understand the difficulty of reaching agreement on this important issue, we will examine the following: 1) the current scientific evidence on global climate change, particularly as presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); 2) the national interests of states in the international system regarding climate change; 3) how conflicting national interests, as well as the “collective goods problem,” are manifested in international negotiations. We will end the course with a simulation of the current climate change negotiations, with students playing the role of country leaders.

43—“GENDER, MATH, CULTURE”—W 4:00-5:00 – Dr. Derek Montgomery (Psychology)The purpose of this seminar is to examine and discuss how putative gender differences in mathematical achievement are framed within nature and nurture debates. The social implications of these debates will be discussed throughout the semester. (for 7 weeks)

44—“CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS” –TH 10:30-11:30 -- Dr. Seth KatzCritical discourse analysis (CDA) is a fairly new, cross-disciplinary approach to analyzing communicative acts, incorporating ideas and methods from linguistics, literary studies, anthropology, sociology, psychology, cognitive studies, and rhetoric. CDA theorists often conceive of people in communicative situations as actors who take on particular roles for a particular context in order to achieve particular goals. We will read and discuss a text by one of the major figures in this emerging field of study. Students will be required to write a short paper in which they apply some portion of the theory we read to the analysis of some real-world communicative act.

45—“IMAGINED COMMUNITIES” — TU 6:00-7:30 — Dr. Jackie Hogan (Sociology)All nations construct stories about who they are, where they came from, and where they’re going. Such stories make us feel connected to our fellow citizens and to the nation itself. Although we will never meet all the people of our nation, we feel that we are part of a single community, an “imagined community.” This course examines ways “imagined communities” are constructed in four nations: U.S. the U.K., Australia, and Japan. Special attention is given to the ways stories of national belonging are gendered and racialized, sometimes with deadly consequences.

47—“KAFKA’S SHORT STORIES” -- F 12:00-1:00 -- Dr. Mike Greene (Phil. & Rel. St.) This class will involve close readings of some of Kafka’s most important short stories, including “The Judgment,” “First Sorrow,” “The Metamorphosis,” “Before the Law,” “A Hunger Artist,” “The Top,” and “The Penal Colony.” We will also read a selection from Deleuze and Guattari’s Franz Kafka: Toward a Minor Literature, and discuss some of the thoughts of Blanchot, Canetti, and Janouch pertaining to Kafka. 48—“CHALLENGE TO THE CITY” — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History Dept.)

The text for this seminar consists of one book - The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler. It is 275 pages long and is divided into 13 chapters. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. Kunstler's book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Andres Duany and others.

24-March-09

Honors Seminars
Spring 2009

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100-101 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101

40—“OTHER GOSPELS” – TU 3:30-4:45 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore the debate over what we actually know about the historical Jesus. Readings will introduce students to the history and politics leading to the selection of just 4 gospels of the approximately 30 gospels then circulating among Christians. Why were these 4 chosen? Why were the others excluded? What is in the other gospels and how do they portray the nature of Jesus and his message? This seminar invites students to reflect on how they go about deciding what to believe in. The seminar will probably not be of interest to students who currently have strong beliefs about Jesus since readings and discussion will raise serious questions about all efforts to understand the historical Jesus.

41—"LAW ACCORDING TO SEINFELD?" – W 12:00-1:15. – Dr. Sandra Perry (Business Management and Administration)

Discussion of a broad range of legal issues affecting society today. Use of Seinfeld television clips to introduce topics in class, with assignment of appellate cases for reading in advance for class discussion. The seminar will focus on class participation and a paper on an approved legal topic.

42—“MIND ALTERING MUSIC” – W 2:00-2:50 — Dr. Ray ZarvellThis seminar can begin to help us understand why we enjoy certain music and “cringe” at the sound of other music. With more people listening to music than ever before (likely because of the invention of the “Ipod” and MP3 players) we have a greater range of musical genres than ever before. Along with this increased access, people are seeking non-invasive and “natural” cures for their illnesses and pains. As a result, how music affects us emotionally and physically, and the application of such knowledge, is the primary focus of this seminar. Our niche’ is somewhere between music appreciation and the psychology of music. This seminar meets once a week during the entire semester. (continued next page) Our optimum enrollment is 20 students because of the time required to present mini-symposia toward the end of the semester. The instructor will entertain requests over that limit if there is an extraordinary or compelling reason. The seminar information and appropriate supporting materials are provided to each student in a binder. Those binders will be checked out and then returned at the end of the semester. The purchase of additional materials is likely not necessary

43—“SCIENCE & FAITH”—TH 4:30-5:45 – Dr. Wayne Bosma (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

44—“HARRY POTTER PHENOMENON” — TH 1:30--4:45 — Professor Cara Swafford (English)In his essay “The Phenomenon of Harry Potter, or Why All the Talk?” literary scholar and critic Jack Zipes argues that the success of the Harry Potter series lies in its phenomenal aspects rather than in its literary merit or any significant contribution to children’s literature as a genre. In this seminar we will investigate Zipes’ claim through a close examination of both the popular seven book series, the industry that has developed around the series, and the public’s varying responses to both. While we will certainly conduct textual analysis to consider a number of issues emerging within the texts themselves, our emphasis will be focused upon Harry Potter as a cultural phenomenon. Therefore, our analysis will necessarily include film, products, reviews, criticism, marketing, events, audiences, and other related cultural topics and texts. Ultimately, we will arrive at some personal conclusions about this series and determine whether it is possible to consider Harry Potter as merely “children’s literature.” The course will be divided into eight meetings—an introductory discussion and one for each of the installments in the series. However, I would like for you to have read the entire series (or at least be familiar with all of the plots and their outcomes) by the first class meeting. The nature of our analysis will require us to reference many topics and issues that emerge throughout the development of the series, which may include “giving away” the endings, so I’d like to avoid any disappointment a new Harry Potter investigator might feel as a result of comments made by “veteran” readers. Participation in class discussions will make up ¼ of your course grade. You will also prepare and lead a semi-formal discussion, keep a response journal, and write a short final essay on a topic of your choice. Required Texts: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling

Various handouts, TBA

45—“ENGINEERING ETHICS” -- Online--ARR time -- Dr. Dennis Kroll (Engineering) This seminar will explore the use of codes of ethics in various engineering disciplines using a series of case studies and games. Besides considering risks, safety, liability, and the environment, engineers are considered both as employees and as autonomous professionals. Introduction to methods of moral thinking and moral problem solving.

46—“UNDERSTANDING CANCER” – TU 4:00-5:00. – Dr. Alan GalskyThis honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment. The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field. Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer. Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

47—“PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS” – TH 1:30-3:00 – Dr. Frank Mackaman (Dirksen Congressional Leadership Center Director) “Predicting Presidential Success: Will the New President Govern Us Well?”This course will identify the factors that have accounted for successful presidential administrations since World War II. Working together, the class will create a model to predict what the new president has to do to succeed. Then we will use information from his campaign, his first State of the Union Address, and the unfolding events of his first weeks in office to evaluate his capacity to govern the nation effectively.

48—“WHAT BUDDHA TAUGHT” -- MW 3:00-3:50 – Dr. Phil Jones (History)

This seminar consists of class discussion of the central concepts of the Buddhist philosophy/religion. Discussions will focus on two small paperback books: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula and Zen Action, Zen Person by T. P. Kasulis. Class times will be on Monday and Wednesday at 3-3:50 for the first half of the semester. Course grade will be determined by brief quizzes over each day's reading.

49—“21st- CENTURY FILMS” – TU 7:00-10:30 – Dr. John Williams (History)

Students will watch some of the most artistically daring, original, and beautiful films of the new millennium in this film appreciation seminar. We will see examples of the comedy, horror, documentary, animation, musical, and war genres, as well as movies that defy categorization. Some or all of the following will be shown: Mulholland Drive, Once, Letters from Iwo Jima, Y Tu Mamá Tambien, Taxi to the Dark Side, The Fast Runner, Knocked Up, Fateless, and Wall-E.

Honors Seminars
FALL, 2008

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester. You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.
Registration dates: April 10th (Sr- Jr) - April 14th (Soph) - April 15th (Fresh)

HON 100

40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TH 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.) This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41— “PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TU 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42—“GLOBAL WARMING” – W 4:15-5:30 — Dr. Janet Gehring (Biology)

Global warming is the increase in Earth’s surface temperatures in recent decades and its projected continuation. In this seminar, we will explore the evidence for human activities being the major cause of global warming, other possible causes for global warming, and the effects of global warming. We will also discuss what we, individually and globally, can do to slow global warming. In-class discussions will be based on recent print and web articles as well as recent films and documentaries.

43—“FLANNERY O’CONNOR”—W 4:00-5:00 – Dr. Derek Montgomery (Psychology)

The short stories of Flannery O’Connor have been described as “violent, grotesque, and horribly funny”. We will examine her short stories in this 7 week seminar. The religious and psychological themes found in the stories will be focal points of discussion. Requirements: writing weekly ½ page summaries, participating in class discussion, completing a brief (approximately 3-page) final paper.

44—“INTELLECTUAL DISCUSSION” — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

As the title indicates, the purpose of the seminar is to investigate the nature of intellectual discussion -- what is it; how is it conducted? There will be fourteen topics that the class will discuss. Grade will be determined by short comments via email.

45—MEDIA CRITICISM -- W 1:00-2:00 -- Dr. Chris Kasch (Communications) This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through reading, viewing, and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the influence of television, we will also examine other forms of media that contribute to popular culture. As consumers of media, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and interpret our viewing experiences and the experiences and responses of those around us. As member of a society in which media are used, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and evaluate both the overt and subtle ways in which the media can shape aesthetic, social, and cultural values. We will use a number of videos produced by the Media Education Foundation as a point of departure for understanding the perspectives of Jean Kilbourne, Naomi Green, Robert McChesney, Neil Postman and others.

46—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

47--"A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE " -- T 3:00-4:20 -- Dr. William Toel (formerly professor of international business at Arizona State University---now volunteering to provide special learning opportunities for Bradley students)

48--"The American Republic in Action." TT 1:30-2:45 --Dr. Craig Curtis ( Political Science)
Students will follow the 2008 election during its hectic last month. Topics will include an examination of the workings of the electoral college, possible outcomes in terms of control of the congress and the presidency, the policy differences between the parties, the prospects for the War in Iraq, and the symbolic importance of having a non-white male candidate from one of the major parties. Students will become better prepared to understand why their participation matters, how they can participate in future elections, and be ready to analyze future elections for themselves.
Note: This seminar will only meet from Thursday, Oct. 2 until Thursday, Nov. 6----9 total meetings.

20-May-08

Honors Program Seminars

Spring 2008

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for Honors courses on Thursday, Nov. 1; Sophomores on Monday, Nov. 5; and Freshman on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Starting Thursday, Nov. 8, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

HON 101

Sec. 40. “The Other Gospels” Dr. Fuller. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45This seminar will explore the debate over what we actually know about the historical Jesus. Readings will introduce students to the history and politics leading to the selection of just 4 gospels of the approximately 30 gospels then circulating among Christians. Why were these 4 chosen? Why were the others excluded? What is in the other gospels and how do they portray the nature of Jesus and his message? This seminar invites students to reflect on how they go about deciding what to believe in. The seminar will probably not be of interest to students who currently have strong beliefs about Jesus since readings and discussion will raise serious questions about all efforts to understand the historical Jesus.

Sec. 41. “American Mass Media” Dr. Gullifor Mondays 4:00-5:00

Issues in American Mass Media: The media today reflect the evolution of a nation that has come to expect the delivery of information and entertainment at the push of a button. Technological developments have increased both our range of choices as consumers, and the speed with which they are delivered. This widespread and immediate access to media content comes with costs, as well as benefits, to American society. In short, because of our increase capacity to consume media content, the study of mass media is central to understanding the society in which they operate. Accordingly, this seminar explores some of the major contemporary issues in mass media and how they both shape, and reflect American culture. Text: Alexander and Hanson: Taking Sides: Mass Media and Society.

Sec. 42. “Mind Altering Music” Dr. Zarvell Wednesdays 2:00-2:50.This seminar, “MIND ALTERING MUSIC,” can begin to help us understand why we enjoy certain music and “cringe” at the sound of other music. With more people listening to music than ever before (likely because of the invention of the “Ipod” and MP3 players) we have a greater range of musical genres than ever before. Along with this increased access, people are seeking non-invasive and “natural” cures for their illnesses and pains. As a result, how music affects us emotionally and physically, and the application of such knowledge, is the primary focus of this seminar. Our niche’ is somewhere between music appreciation and the psychology of music. This seminar meets once a week for a semester.Our optimum enrollment is 20-25 students because of the time required to present mini-symposia toward the end of the semester. The instructor will entertain requests over that limit if there is an extraordinary or compelling reason. The seminar information and appropriate supporting materials are provided to each student in a binder. Those binders will be checked out and then returned at the end of the semester. The purchase of additional materials is likely not necessary

Sec. 43. “Election 2008” Mr. Frank Mackaman of the Dirksen Congressional Research Center. Thursdays, 1:30-3:00. Who will be the next president of the United States? This course will address three primary subjects, all timely in 2008: campaigning for the President, predicting the outcome of the election, and accounting for success in a presidency. Will meet for the first 8 weeks of the spring semester.

Sec. 44. “Harry Potter: Children’s Literature or Cultural Phenomenon?”

Professor Cara Swafford. Thursday, 12:30-1:45.In his essay “The Phenomenon of Harry Potter, or Why All the Talk?” literary scholar and critic Jack Zipes argues that the success of the Harry Potter series lies in its phenomenal aspects rather than in its literary merit or any significant contribution to children’s literature as a genre. In this seminar we will investigate Zipes’ claim through a close examination of both the popular seven book series, the industry that has developed around the series, and the public’s varying responses to both. While we will certainly conduct textual analysis to consider a number of issues emerging within the texts themselves, our emphasis will be focused upon Harry Potter as a cultural phenomenon. Therefore, our analysis will necessarily include film, products, reviews, criticism, marketing, events, audiences, and other related cultural topics and texts. Ultimately, we will arrive at some personal conclusions about this series and determine whether it is possible to consider Harry Potter as merely “children’s literature.”The course will be divided into eight meetings—an introductory discussion and one for each of the installments in the series. However, I would like for you to have read the entire series (or at least be familiar with all of the plots and their outcomes) by the first class meeting. The nature of our analysis will require us to reference many topics and issues that emerge throughout the development of the series, which may include “giving away” the endings, so I’d like to avoid any disappointment a new Harry Potter investigator might feel as a result of comments made by “veteran” readers. Participation in class discussions will make up ¼ of your course grade. You will also prepare and lead a semi-formal discussion, keep a response journal, and write a short final essay on a topic of your choice. Required Texts: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. RowlingVarious handouts, TBA

Sec. 45. “Engineering Ethics” Dr. Dennis Kroll. ARR (online seminar).This seminar will explore the use of codes of ethics in various engineering disciplines using a series of case studies and games. Besides considering risks, safety, liability, and the environment, engineers are considered both as employees and as autonomous professionals. Introduction to methods of moral thinking and moral problem solving.

Sec. 46. “Understanding Cancer” Dr. Alan Galsky. Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00.This honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment.The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field.Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer.Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

Sec. 47. “Mass Communication Social/Economic Development” Dr. Gregory Pitts-Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00 (occasionally until 5:00)"More than just for entertainment: Mass communication's role in social and economic development in transitional nations."This course will identify and examine social and economic development issues in transitional countries/emerging democracies and examine the use of mass communication (radio, television, newspapers) to address development needs.Attention will be given to the role of non-governmental organizations to promote change through promoting press freedom and community radio stations.The purpose of the class is to create knowledge not only about societal needs in other parts of the world but to also demonstrate ways in which mass media empower the citizens to change their own circumstances.Meets for 8 sessions, some sessions will only be one hour long, some will be two hours long.

Sec. 48. “Science Reflected in the Mythbusters TV Show---What Constitutes Science?” Drs. Craig and Leah Curtis. Mondays, 6-7 pm.

Students in this course will learn how science is really done by watching TV’s popular Discovery Channel show, Mythbusters. This course will examine the basic concepts of the scientific method and experimental design through critical analysis of the techniques used by Jamie and Adam, and their interns, on this entertaining and educational show. The course will begin with an introduction to the scientific method using a text directed at the lay audience. We will then use what we learned in the text to evaluate how well the Mythbusters design and carry out their research. Each student will be responsible for critical analysis of their own episode.

Sec. 49. “What the Buddha Taught” Dr. Jones. Monday and Wednesday, 3:00-3:50.

LAS 101- Sec. 02 "Behind the Scenes at Museums" Dr. Susan Smith, Wed. 3:00-4:00 pm.; Sat. April 12 Field Trip What do museums do and how? How are museums created and why? While each museum is a unique institution, each is also an institution based on the collection and interpretation of material culture. Through common readings and discussion, and a required Saturday group museum visit, we will work to identify museum practices, and how the history of a museum shapes the stories it can tell. The seminar will meet for 3-4 sessions, but a key part of the seminar is a Saturday, April 12 trip to the Lincoln Museum for a tour of the museum and a behind-the-scenes tour with a member of the curatorial staff.

Oct. 4, 2007

Honors Seminars
FALL, 2007

Registration for classes and seminars is by seniority — Seniors and Juniors can begin registering for Honors courses on Thursday, April 12th; Sophomores on Monday, April 16th; and Freshman on Tuesday, April 17th. Starting Thursday, April 19th, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you need to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295.

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100~

40—PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING – TH 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41— PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING – TU 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42—PLANTS AND PEOPLE – W 4:00-5:15 — Dr. Janet Gehring (Biology)

In this seminar, we will study the interaction of people with plants. We will explore crop domestication, genetic engineering, flower evolution, and environmental issues while reading The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean and excerpts from other books and anthologies. Students will learn more about their favorite plant while preparing a presentation on a plant of their choice.

43—FILMS OF KUROSAWA — W 7:00-9:00E — Dr. Dan Getz (Religious Studies) and Dr. Peter Dusenbery (English)

“Seven drifters save beleaguered village.”“Dying bureaucrat makes life worth living.”“Murder-rape trial testimony clashes.”

Join us exploring how Akira Kurosawa, one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, developed these and other storylines into critically acclaimed films that are consistently cited among the best in the history of cinema. Class periods will include viewing of films, short lectures, and discussions. Our approach will be wide-ranging, examining thematic content, cultural issues (global and Japanese), and cinematic technique. Students will be expected to do preparatory reading and a weekly written response for each class and to submit a final paper at the course’s end. For those wishing to know more about Kurosawa, materials on some of his greatest films are available in the Honors Office.

44—CHALLENGE TO THE CITY — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

The text for this seminar consists of one book - The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler. It is 275 pages long and is divided into 13 chapters. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. Kunstler's book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Andres Duany and others.

45—CORPORATE FRAUD—MW 1:00-2:00 – Dr. Simon Petravick and Dr. Shondra Johnson (Accounting)

Few people begin their careers with the goal of committing fraud. Unfortunately, hardly a day goes by without some report of an organization being cheated by its management, employees, vendors, or customers. This seminar will help you understand why and how fraud is committed. It will also explain ways to detect fraud and prevent its occurrence. The final product will be student-directed videos depicting a fictional fraud scenario.

NOTE: First class begins October 24, 2007. No previous accounting or video editing experience required.

46—ECONOMIC ISSUES

Debate and discuss the economics behind controversial public policy issues such as Social Security and Medicare reform, No Child Left Behind, medical malpractice, credit cards, WALMART, global warming, NAFTA, immigration, sweat shops, job discrimination, and the minimum wage. Text: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Economic Issues, 2008, Thirteenth Edition, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, ISBN 978-0-07-352725-3 The book is mainly a collection of pro and con readings on contemporary economic issues, with some short essays by the editors. Class format: Debate and discuss. At least one week in advance we will pick the issue for the next class meeting. At least one week in advance we will also select two teams of two students each to lead the debate and get the discussion started. Every student must read the pro and con articles, prepare notes on same (instructions below), come to class prepared to debate and discuss both sides of the issue, and hand in A TYPED COPY of their notes. Notes should have 3 parts:

Part 1: For each reading identify:

The main economic and legal issue addressed.Who has a stake in the issue?
The underlying value judgments and interests of the authors and the people they cite.

Part 2: Prepare “pro” notes, as if you were a member of the “pro” debating team:

Make the case for the “pro” position. Rebut the negative points raised by the “con” position.
Go beyond the readings and make an even stronger case than the author(s) did.

Part 3: Prepare “con” notes, as if you were a member of the “con” debating team:

Make the case for the “con” position.Rebut the positive points raised in the “pro” position.
Go beyond the readings and make an even stronger case than the author(s) did.

Your notes should be two to three pages. Bring a copy of your notes to use in class and hand them in at the end of class. Keep a copy for your own records. Each designated team should meet BEFORE CLASS AND OUTSIDE OF CLASS to strategize. In class I may take 5 minutes or so for introductory remarks. Then the pro team will have 10 to 15 minutes to present its case, followed by 10 to 15 minutes for the “con” team. Then the topic will be thrown open to all members of the class for discussion. I expect you to assume the burden of class discussions and participate fully, certainly as a debater, but also as a member of the lively audience. The only constraint is that you be courteous and attentive to others. Typically, there is no one correct answer to the issues raised. I trust that your reading, preparation, and class participation will make you better informed and more thoughtful as you reach and modify your own conclusions. There are no tests. The class is small and its effectiveness depends on the active participation of every student. Attendance at every class meeting is required. If you have to miss a class, get my permission in advance, and hand in your notes for that class as soon as possible (certainly before the next class meeting).

Absences, lack of preparation, and lack of participation will result in a lower grade.

47—MEDIA CRITICISM -- W 1:00-2:00 -- Dr. Chris Kasch (Communications)

48—ROBERT ALTMAN FILMS – M 7:00-10:00E – Dr. John Williams (History)

One of the true mavericks of American filmmaking, Robert Altman (1925-2006) was famous for his unmistakable style and his creative collaboration with actors. His great subject was the search for honor and identity within a social milieu (of the mobile army hospital, the frontier town, the English manor, Las Vegas, Nashville, Hollywood, etc.). We will watch and talk about ten of Altman’s most interesting movies.

12-Mar-2007

Honors Seminars

Spring 2007

Registration for classes and seminars is by senority — Seniors can begin registering for Honors courses on Thursday, November 2nd; Juniors on Monday, November 6th; Sophomores on Tuesday, November 7th; and Freshman on Wednesday, November 8th. Starting Monday, November 13th, registration will be open on a first come—first serve basis. All Honors classes and seminars are on reserve and you have to register in person in Bradley Hall, Room 295B or email dad@bradley.edu.

HON 101:

Sec. 40 “Other Gospels” Dr. Fuller Tu 3:30-4:45

This seminar will explore the debate over what we actually know about the historical Jesus. Readings will introduce students to the history and politics leading to the selection of just 4 gospels of the approximately 30 gospels then circulating among Christians. Why were these 4 chosen? Why were the others excluded? What is in the other gospels and how do they portray the nature of Jesus and his message? This seminar invites students to reflect on how they go about deciding what to believe in. The seminar will probably not be of interest to students who currently have strong beliefs about Jesus since readings and discussion will raise serious questions about all efforts to understand the historical Jesus.

Sec. 41 “Exodus” Dr. Katz Tues. 1:30-2:30

In Jewish tradition, the text of Exodus is divided into 11 portions. Each year, these 11 portions are read in succession during the winter as part of the annual cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew bible. In this seminar, we will read the text of Exodus following the traditional division into 11 portions—divisions that will seem odd or arbitrary to many non-Jewish readers, but which have been an established part of Jewish practice since the Middle Ages. As we read each portion, we will read traditional Jewish commentaries on each, drawn from a variety of Jewish traditions and sources. The goal of this seminar is to immerse students not only in the text of Exodus, with its familiar ‘bible stories’ of the enslavement of the Children of Israel, the birth and growth of Moses, and the dramatic events surrounding the exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai, but to immerse students in the Jewish (as different from Christian or Muslim) tradition and practice of interpreting sacred texts.The main text for the course will be the Jewish Publication Society translation of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew bible), which is generally regarded as the most authoritative translation of the Hebrew text in all its available variants. The edition we will use will also include a recent commentary from the Conservative Jewish movement (which also draws on a variety of Reform, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and secular sources). A second text will be Nahum Sarna’s Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel, a highly regarded Jewish scholarly resource. Finally, we will take advantage of the wide range of Jewish text commentary available on the Web.Course structure: Each week, students will be assigned to read a portion of Exodus, the accompanying commentary, and the related portions of the Sarna text. Each week, students will take turns identifying particular commentaries on the Web (which we all will read as well) and leading a portion of the discussion of the Exodus text and their chosen commentaries. One short (5-7 page) paper comparing/relating/responding to multiple commentaries on a single passage.Required texts:1. David L. Lieber (Editor), Jules Harlow (Editor). Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (Travel-size). Jewish Publication Society of America (August 15, 2004). ISBN: 0827608047 ($30 list price; $19.80 + shipping new from Amazon.com; lower price for used copies through Amazon.com). (OR you can get the hard cover edition--$72.50 list, no Amazon discount; $54.17 + shipping used from Amazon.com. The hard cover edition has the same commentary but extra essays).2. Nahum Sarna. Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel. NY: Schocken, 1996. ISBN: 0805210636 ($14 list; $11.48 + shipping new from Amazon.com; lower price for used copies through Amazon.com).Enrollment limited to 15 and will meet weekly for an hour for the whole semester.

Sec. 42 “Mind Altering Music” Dr. Zarvell Weds. 3-3:50This seminar, “MIND ALTERING MUSIC,” can begin to help us understand why we enjoy certain music and “cringe” at the sound of other music. With more people listening to music than ever before (likely because of the invention of the “Ipod” and MP3 players) we have a greater range of musical genres than ever before. Along with this increased access, people are seeking non-invasive and “natural” cures for their illnesses and pains. As a result, how music affects us emotionally and physically, and the application of such knowledge, is the primary focus of this seminar. Our niche’ is somewhere between music appreciation and the psychology of music. This seminar meets once a week for a semester.Our optimum enrollment is 20-25 students because of the time required to present mini-symposia toward the end of the semester. The instructor will entertain requests over that limit if there is an extraordinary or compelling reason. The seminar information and appropriate supporting materials are provided to each student in a binder. Those binders will be checked out and then returned at the end of the semester. The purchase of additional materials is likely not necessary

Sec. 43 “Jack London: Sea Narratives” Dr. Kevin Swafford Weds. 2-2:50Early in the 19th century, Britain, Germany and France began the process of colonization and imperial dominance in the south and central Pacific Ocean. By the end of the century, the United States had also become a major force in the scramble for Pacific colonies. In this seminar we will be reading some of Jack London’s “sea” narratives in relation to the practice and ideology of colonialism. American imperialism/colonialism came of age during London's lifetime--beginning with Cuba, the Philippines and the annexation of Hawaii. London was a staunch supporter of American imperialism and colonial endeavors—and yet, his sea narratives often undermine, challenge, and deconstruct their ideological and cultural foundations. How and why does this happen, given London’s authorial disposition? Part of our task together will be to get at this question by investigating and analyzing the connections between narrative representation, literary naturalism, and colonial ideology. We will look closely at the ways in which London’s narratives work to set up a series of binary connections between colonizers and colonized that become increasingly difficult to maintain. Our required texts are:Jack London South Sea Tales ISBN 0-935180-14-1 Mutual PublishingJack London Tales of Hawaii ISBN 0-916630-25-0 Press PacificaJack London The Cruise of the Snark ISBN 0486412482 Dover Publications We will discuss one or two short stories/chapters per week. You will be required to keep a weekly reader-response journal (generated from our class discussions) and to write a short research/analytic paper (6-8 pages) on a central issue related to our readings and discussion. Enrollment is limited to 15 and we will meet weekly for an hour for duration of the semester.

Sec. 44 “Fantasy Genre: Pullman”- Dr. Cara Swafford-Thursdays 12:30-1:45 British writer Phillip Pullman has written award-winning books in the fantasy and historical fiction genres and is widely-read by both adolescents/young adults and adults. His work is often critiqued within the context of fantasy writers like Tolkien and Lewis, though his ideas are much different. In a speech on religion and education, Pullman told his audience that “we can learn what’s good and what’s bad, what’s generous and unselfish, what’s cruel and mean, from fiction.” He went on to claim, as he had done in previous writings and interviews, that religious scripture and instruction is not necessary and that there is a “School of Morals” that can be found entirely in reading great literature. In this seminar, we will read Pullman’s popular trilogy His Dark Materials, and use it as a foundation to investigate his “School of Morals” argument. Set in a universe that contains countless parallel worlds (including our own), the trilogy details the adventures of an adolescent girl who has been identified as a primary player in a cosmic conflict that could radically change life as those in her world understand it. Equipped with magical/scientific instruments that only she and certain companions can control, Lyra traverses several worlds in her search for both identity and truth. Throughout the narrative, Pullman seeks to critically examine a number of significant social, political, ethical, and spiritual issues for our time. These include conflicts between science and religion, the role of religious institutions in government, the role of institutions of higher learning in society, attitudes towards children and adolescents in our society, the nature of power in its many social and political contexts, and how we perceive truth, knowledge, and belief, among others.

In our discussions we will investigate all of these issues and more through a close examination of Pullman’s text along with some other supplementary texts from which the author draws inspiration. Ultimately, we will arrive at some personal conclusions about his theory and determine how well Pullman, in the tradition of other didactic writers, achieves his claim about what literature can do for us through his own narrative.

Texts:

Pullman, The Golden Compass ISBN: 0440418321 Random House/Yearling BooksPullman, The Subtle Knife ISBN: 044041833X Random House/Yearling BooksPullman, The Amber Spyglass ISBN: 0440418569 Random House/Yearling Books Note: There are other editions of these titles that can be purchased Supplemental readings will come in the form of handouts or items on reserve. During the course you will be required to keep a response journal and pair up with another student to prepare and lead a formal discussion. At the end of the semester you will write an analytical paper that explores one of the issues we examine in our discussion and writing. Enrollment is limited to 15, and we will meet every other Thursday for the duration of the semester (a schedule of specific dates will be handed out at the first meeting).

Sec. 45 “Engineering Ethics” Dr. Kroll ARR On-lineThis seminar will explore the use of codes of ethics in various engineering disciplines using a series of case studies and games. Besides considering risks, safety, liability, and the environment, engineers are considered both as employees and as autonomous professionals. Introduction to methods of moral thinking and moral problem solving.

Sec. 46 “Understanding Cancer” Dr. Galsky Tues. 4:00-5:00This honors seminar will explore the origins and various types of cancer. It will also examine the latest research, theories, and treatments. The seminar will also discuss the various early cancer detections and screening methods. Other areas that will be explored include carcinogens as well as the cost of cancer treatment.The seminar will consist of a lecture-discussion format and various guests who are experts in the cancer field.Each student will be required to write a topic paper and present an oral report on some aspect of cancer.Required text: Dennis Ross, Introduction to Oncogenes and Molecular Cancer Medicine.

Sec. 47 “News to Whom?” Dr. Pitts Tues. 3:00-4:00 GCC 212In this seminar, we'll look at news media from other countries around the world--including locations with very different political and social systems than the U.S.--and we'll examine how stories are reported from those locations. This seminar will include review and discussion of online video content, class video viewing, and review of online print content. For more information, contact Dr. Greg Pitts, gpitts@bradley.edu or x 4116.

Sec. 48 “Mythbusters and the Scientific Method” Dr. Curtis Mondays from 6 to 6:50 pm.

Course Description: Students in this course will learn how science is really done by watching TV’s popular Discovery Channel show, Mythbusters. This course will examine the basic concepts of the scientific method and experimental design through critical analysis of the techniques used by Jamie and Adam, and their interns, on this entertaining and educational show. The course will begin with an introduction to the scientific method using a text directed at the lay audience. We will then use what we learned in the text to evaluate how well the Mythbusters design and carry out their research. Each student will be responsible for critical analysis of their own episode.

Sec. 49 “WHAT BUDDHA TAUGHT” — M-W 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

Honors Seminars
FALL, 2006

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100 40—PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING – TH 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41— PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING – TU 3:00-4:15. – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42—FLANNERY O’CONNOR – W 4:00-5:00 — Dr. Derek Montgomery (Psychology)

The short stories of Flannery O’Connor have been described as “violent, grotesque, and horribly funny”. We will examine her short stories in this 7 week seminar. The religious and psychological themes found in the stories will be focal points of discussion. Requirements: writing weekly 1/2 page summaries, participating in class discussion, completing a brief (approximately 3-page) final paper.

43—MOZART: PORTRAIT OF A GENIUS — TH 3:00-4:00 — Dr. Kyle Dzapo (Music)

August 24-October 12
Learn about the extraordinary achievements of one of Western music’s greatest artists. Each of the eight class sessions will include discussion of significant events in a particular period of Mozart’s life and an introduction to one of the major compositions written during that time. No prior musical training is necessary. Text: Gay, Peter. Mozart.

44—CHALLENGE TO THE CITY — MW 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History) The text for this seminar consists of one book - The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler. It is 275 pages long and is divided into 13 chapters. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. Kunstler's book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Andres Duany and others.

45—CORPORATE FRAUD—MW 1:00-2:00 – Dr. Simon Petravick and Dr. Shondra Johnson (Accounting) first class begins October 11, 2006Few people begin their careers with the goal of committing fraud. Unfortunately, hardly a day goes by without some report of an organization being cheated by its management, employees, vendors or customers. This seminar will help you understand why and how fraud is committed. It will also explain ways to detect fraud and prevent its occurrence. The course will meet ten times beginning October 11. The final product will be student-directed videos depicting a fictional fraud scenario. No previous accounting or video editing experience required.

46—ECONOMIC ISSUES — W 1:00-1:50 — Dr. Joe Felder (Economics)The class will meet nine times, beginning the third week of the semester. Each week will focus on a “contemporary issue” covered in our short text, “Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Economic Issues.” The readings provide brief “pro and con” viewpoints. Students will prepare to position 1-2 page papers to stimulate discussion. There are no correct answers to these issues. Yet, hopefully, reading, writing, and participation will make us better informed and more thoughtful as we reach and modify our views on these important issues.

47—MEDIA CRITICISM -- W 1:00-2:00 -- Dr. Chris Kasch (Communications)

48—PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

27-Mar-2006

Honors Seminars
SPRING, 2006

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for seminars even if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101

--40 RELIGIOUS INNOVATORS – TU 3:30-4:45 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.).This seminar will explore the story of change and innovation in American religious history. We will read about ten “religious revolutionaries” who were pioneers of religious innovation. The seminar can be taken by itself, but it would also be a perfect complement to RLS 200 (TT 9-10:15). One text at about $18.00 will be required.

—41 GENESIS – TU 1:30-2:30 p.m. – Dr. Seth Katz (English).In Jewish tradition, the text of Genesis is divided into 12 portions. Each year, these 12 portions are read in succession during the fall as part of the annual cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew bible. In this seminar, we will read the text of Genesis following the traditional division into 12 portions—divisions that will seem odd or arbitrary to many non-Jewish readers, but which have been established part of Jewish practice since the Middle Ages. As we read each portion, we will read traditional Jewish commentaries on each, drawn from a variety of Jewish traditions and sources. The goal of this seminar is to immerse students not only in the text of Genesis, with its many familiar “bible stories,” but to immerse students in the Jewish (as different from Christian or Muslim) tradition and practice of interpreting sacred texts.

The main text for the course will be the Jewish Publication Society translation of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew bible), which is generally regarded as the most authoritative translation of the Hebrew text in all its available variants. The edition we will use will also include a recent commentary from the Conservative Jewish movement (which also draws on a variety of Reform, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and secular sources). A second text will be Nahum Sarna’s Understanding Genesis: The World of the Bible in Light of History, a highly regarded Jewish scholarly resource. Finally, we will take advantage of the wide range of Jewish text commentary available on the Web.

Course structure: Each week, students will be assigned to read a portion of Genesis, the accompanying commentary, and the related portions of the Sarna text. Each week, students will take turns identifying particular commentaries on the Web (which we all will read as well) and leading a portion of the discussion of the Genesis text and their chosen commentaries. One short (5-7 page) paper comparing/relating/responding to multiple commentaries on a single passage.

—42 MIND ALTERING MUSIC – W 2:00-2:50 — Dr. Ray Zarvell (Educational Development)

For centuries, music has played an important role in our lives, evoking a spectrum of emotions within each of us. The emotional affects are the result of interactions between music genre, the composer’s “emotionality,” music theory (e.g. tempo, dissonance, minor, major keys, etc.), perceptions/experiences of the listener, and other factors. This course will examine those interactions beginning with a review of basic music theory, the psychology of music then continuing with a review of primary music genres.

—43 SCIENCE AND FAITH — TH 4:30-5:45 — Dr. Wayne Bosma (Chemistry) This seminar will explore the interrelationship between the rational methods of science and the beliefs of Judeo-Christian religious faith. When a scientist has religious beliefs, are these a help or a hindrance to his/her profession? What attitudes should a theistic nonscientist have toward science? These questions and others will be critically analyzed.

—44 WHAT BUDDHA TAUGHT — M/W 3:00-3:50 — Dr. Philip Jones (History)

This seminar consists of class discussion of the central concepts of the Buddhist philosophy/religion. Discussions will focus on two small paperback books: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula and Zen Action, Zen Person by T. P. Kasulis. Class times will be on Monday and Wednesday for the first half of the semester. Course grade will be determined by brief quizzes over each day's reading.

—45 THE BLUES—W 11:00-11:50 – Dr. Stephen Dolins (Computer Science)

This course examines an important American roots music, the blues. This course encompasses the following components: 1) the musical structure of the blues, 12 bar blues and the blues scale, 2) the early influences on the blues, i.e., work songs, ragtime, and church music, 3) the study of different musical styles of the blues, varying by instrumentation, geography, and time, 4) different American music styles that have been influenced by the blues, and 5) an introduction to interview and field work techniques for collecting oral history; these techniques will be used by students to interview four Chicago blues musicians who will be visiting class. The class will listen to numerous musical examples throughout the semester. —46 ECONOMICS OF LOVE — W 11:00-11:50 — Dr. Joyce Shotick (Student Support Center)This seminar will explore the impact and results of decisions regarding mate selection, marriage and family, income distribution, and discrimination. Students will be required to write a short paper examining public policy relating to a topic covered in the seminar.

—47 SCIENTIFIC METHOD: How science is actually done -- TH 1:30-2:45 — Drs. Leah Adams-Curtis (Social Sciences) and Craig Curtis (Political Science)

This honors seminar is designed to give students real experience in the conduct and reporting of scientific research via the process of replicating a study first designed and carried out by Dr. Adams-Curtis. Students will perform content analysis of television science programs, measuring how well these programs use the language and method of science themselves. Students will be trained in the use of a data collection protocol, gather the data using the protocol, and then report back to the class as a whole. The data will be then aggregated and reported using the American Psychological Association model.

—48 CORPORATE SHENANIGANS AND FRAUD — M/W 2:30-3:45 — Drs. Simon Petravick and Shondra Johnson (Accounting)Few people begin their careers with the goal of committing fraud. Unfortunately, hardly a day goes by without some report of an organization being cheated by its management, employees, vendors or customers. This seminar will help you understand why and how fraud is committed. It will also explain ways to detect fraud and prevent its occurrence. The course will meet ten times beginning March 20 (after Spring Break). The final product will be student-directed videos depicting a fictional fraud scenario.

—49 MEDIA AND VALUES — M 1:00-1:50 — Dr. Paul Gullifor (Communication)

This one hour seminar investigates the role of American Mass Media in defining our cultural values. Through discussion and case studies, students will learn the effect of media on our nation's values of education, information, family, religion and other cultural institutions. Text: Media Ethics: Issues and Cases by Patterson and Wilkins (2002)

Honors Seminars
Fall, 2005

NOTE:

You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40—“PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING”– TH 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41— “PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – TU 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42—“FLANNERY O’CONNOR” – W 4:00-5:00 — Dr. Derek Montgomery (Psych.) The short stories of Flannery O’Connor have been described as “violent, grotesque, and horribly funny”. We will examine her short stories in this 7 week seminar. The religious and psychological themes found in the stories will be focal points of discussion. Requirements: writing weekly ½ page summaries, participating in class discussion, completing a brief (approximately 3-page) final paper.

43—“DIFFICULT MUSIC” — TU 3:00-4:00 — Dr. Steve Heinemann (Music Dept.)"Difficult Music" will survey musical compositions that were poorly received initially but which gained in reputation following their premieres. We will examine the circumstances of their early receptions and subsequent reconsiderations and attempt to find parallels in today's musical world. Although all historical eras of Western music will be examined, the focus will be on difficult music of the twentieth century.

44—“CHALLENGE TO THE CITY — MW 3:00-3:50 (for 8 weeks) — Jones (History) The text for this seminar consists of one book – The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler. It is 275 pages long and is divided into 13 chapters. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. Kunstler's book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Andres Duany and others.

45—“JUSTIFIABLE WAR THEORY” – online – Dr. Dennis Kroll (Ind. & Manuf. Engr.) An exploration of Christian viewpoints early and late, east and west. 46— “It’s a small world after all” MW 3:00-4:00 Dr. Larry Weinzimmer This course will expose students to several contingencies that impact the way businesses operate in different regions of the world. We will explore how country culture effects employee’s behaviors, when specific management techniques work and when they do not, and how to successfully adjust to living in a different part of the world (including samples of some unique cuisines).

47—“ECONOMIC ISSUES” — TU 1:30-2:45 — Felder (Economics) The class will meet nine times, beginning the third week of the semester. Each week will focus on a “contemporary issue” covered in our short text, “Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Economic Issues.” The readings provide brief “pro and con” viewpoints. Students will prepare to position 1-2 page papers to stimulate discussion. There are no correct answers to these issues. Yet, hopefully, reading, writing, and participation will make us better informed and more thoughtful as we reach and modify our views on these important issues.

48—“MEDIA CRITICISM” — W 1:00-2:00 — Kasch (Communications) This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through reading, viewing, and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the influence of television, we will also examine other forms of media that contribute to popular culture. As consumers of media, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and interpret our viewing experiences and the experiences and responses of those around us. As member of a society in which media are used, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and evaluate both the overt and subtle ways in which the media can shape aesthetic, social, and cultural values. We will use a number of videos produced by the Media Education Foundation as a point of departure for understanding the perspectives of Jean Kilbourne, Naomi Green, Robert McChesney, Neil Postman and others.

49— “PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING” – W 3:00-4:15 – Dr. Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

Honors Seminars
SPRING, 2005

NOTE:
. You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
. You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours. HON 101

40-RELIGIOUS INNOVATORS - TU 3:30-4:45 - Bob Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)
This seminar will explore the story of change and innovation in American religious history. We will read about ten "religious revolutionaries" who were pioneers of religious innovation. The seminar can be taken by itself, but it would also be a perfect complement to RLS 200 (TT 9-10:15). One text at about $18.00 will be required.

41- TRAUMA AND CULTURE - W 7:00-8:30 p.m. - Laurie Vickroy (English)
Why has the concept of trauma become a frequently used metaphor in our times? Trauma, a response to events so overwhelmingly intense that they impair emotions or thought processes, has become a part of many cultural narratives. It is apparent in such diverse places as survivor testimonies, historical interpretations, literary works and a variety of popular culture. In this class, we will be investigating how surviving traumatic experience has been expressed in faction poetry, painting, film, and popular music. We will be reading a fiction novel, poetry, and short stories, view films and visual arts, and listen to music. Grading will be based on short responses, a paper in related area of interest to the student, and class participation.

42-MIND ALTERING MUSIC - W 2:00-2:50 - Ray Zarvell (Educational Dev.)
For centuries, music has played an important role in our lives, evoking a spectrum of emotions within each of us. The emotional affects are the result of interactions between music genre, the composer's "emotionality," music theory (e.g. tempo, dissonance, minor, major keys, etc.), perceptions/experiences of the listener, and other factors. This course will examine those interactions beginning with a review of basic music theory, the psychology of music then continuing with a review of primary music genres.

43-WOMEN IN SCIENCE - W 12:00-12:50 - Michelle Fry (Chemistry)
In this seminar, we will examine the accomplishments, contributions, and obstacles overcome by some of the more notable women scientists of the 19th and 20th centuries in a historical context. In addition, we will discuss past and present societal perceptions/norms with regard to the role of women in scientific discovery, and explore possible ways to break traditional stereotypes, improve perceptions, and increase the participation of women in science. Only 12 students in this seminar!

44-ENGINEERING ETHICS - ARR (Online) - Dennis Kroll (Ind. & Man. Engr. & Tech.)
This seminar will explore the use of codes of ethics in various engineering disciplines using a series of case studies and games. Besides considering risks, safety, liability, and the environment, engineers are considered both as employees and as autonomous professionals. Introduction to methods of moral thinking and moral problem solving.

45-DREAM INTERPRETATION: Using Dreams to Solve Problems and Offer Direction -TU 10:30-11:45 - Lori Russell-Chapin (Educ. Leadership & Human Dev.)
We spend one-twelfth of our lives in the dream state. In this class, you will learn different methods of dream interpretation from Jungian Analysis to Native American to Ullman. A group sharing method will be demonstrated and practiced. Dream incubation will also be developed. Learn several innovative skills that my assist you in better understanding your dreams.

46-CHEMISTRY VIA DRAMA - TU 7:00-10:00E - Kurt Field (Chemistry)

47-SCIENCE FICTION: CREATING REALISTIC WORLDS -- 9:00-10:30 p.m. E - (Economics)
The class will meet nine times, beginning the third week of the semester. Each week will focus on a "contemporary issue" covered in our short text, "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Economic Issues." The readings provide brief "pro and con" viewpoints. Students will prepare to position 1-2 page papers to stimulate discussion. There are no correct answers to these issues. Yet, hopefully, reading, writing, and participation will make us better informed and more thoughtful as we reach and modify our views on these important issues.

48-MEDIA CRITICISM - W 1:00-2:00 - Kasch (Communications)
This course is designed to help you develop a critical awareness of mass media through reading, viewing, and discussion. Although the primary emphasis of the course is on the influence of television, we will also examine other forms of media that contribute to popular culture. As consumers of media, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and interpret our viewing experiences and the experiences and responses of those around us. As member of a society in which media are used, knowledgeable critical analysis helps us to better understand and evaluate both the overt and subtle ways in which the media can shape aesthetic, social, and cultural values. We will use a number of videos produced by the Media Education Foundation as a point of departure for understanding the perspectives of Jean Kilbourne, Naomi Green, Robert McChesney, Neil Postman and others.

Honors Seminars
Fall, 2004

NOTE:
. You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
. You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 100

40-PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - TU 3:00-4:15 - Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)
This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41- PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - TH 3:00-4:15 - Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)
This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42-RECENT DOCUMENTARY FILMS - TH 7:00-10:00 - Williams (History)
Some of the most powerful, enlightening, and entertaining movies in recent years have been documentaries. But the general public rarely has the opportunity to experience this form of cinematic art. In this seminar, we will watch and talk about some thirteen documentaries made since 1989. The majority are by US filmmakers, with some others from England, France, and South Africa. They address a wide range of subjects, including civil rights and race relations; poverty and the American dream; children, education, and family relationships; nature; music; history; and gender relations and sexuality. After each film we will discuss such questions as: What are the characteristics and methods of documentary filmmaking, and how do they compare to those of fiction film? How much light do these films shed on the real world? In what ways are documentaries personal, emotional, political? The requirements are attendance and active participation, a small amount of research for individual introductions to the films, and a brief paper discussing two of the movies comparatively.

43-"POOH on the TAO" - TH 10:30-11:45 - Getz (Phil. & Rel. St.)
Pooh on the Tao? The Tao on Pooh! Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu Speak for Themselves
Many a younger American has gained acquaintance with the Chinese philosophical tradition of Taoism through Benjamin Hoff's The Tao of Pooh. This popular book has offered an interesting and accessible entry into the abstruse world of Taoist thought through the musings of beloved figures such as Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. Having read this book, the inquisitive college student might wish to know how well it represents the nascent Taoist movement that sprang to life in China during the centuries preceding the Christian era. To address this question one must turn to original sources. This course will offer students an opportunity to read, analyze, and interpret these sources in order to gain a fuller understanding of the Taoist tradition. We will be reading two of the earliest Taoist texts, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching and selected passages in the Chuang-tzu. We will compare the insights in those texts with those offered in The Tao of Pooh. Classes will be a mix of lecture and seminar discussion. A short paper on an assigned topic will be required.

44-CHALLENGE TO THE CITY - MW 3:00-3:50 (for 8 weeks) - Jones (History)
The text for this seminar consists of one book - The Geography of Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler. It is 275 pages long and is divided into 13 chapters. Each class session will be a discussion of one of the chapters. Kunstler's book is a critique of modern suburban life and America's destruction of its cities. Almost every page contains provoking and stimulating points about the nature of American society, how it has diverged from its roots, how it differs from European society, and how it is unsustainable. He ranges from discussions of bad taste in suburbia to what a satisfactory social environment should be. During the discussions, I will introduce commentary on the subjects he addresses by other social and architectural critics, such as Witold Rybczynski, Andres Duany and others.

45-TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY - ARR - Kroll (Industrial & Manuf. Engr. & Tech.)
Technology and Society explores a series of questions which may be chicken or egg type problems. Which comes first - a society or the technology to support it? Which leads in the evolution of the other? of both? Can we develop a philosophy of technology? Will society be better off (whatever that means) with more or less technology? How has society evolved to contain and control technology?
The format of the course is fully web based discussion, asynchronously. Students will discuss a set of questions from a chapter of the text each week. At the end of the semester, each student will pick a topic they enjoy and write a short essay to be further discussed by the class. The course will be presented on Blackboard.

46-FINANCING OF TERRORISM AND CRIME - W 3:00-5:00 (for 8 weeks) - Bhandari
Money laundering for illegal, criminal, immoral, and terrorist activities has been a world-wide phenomenon from time unmemorable and governmental machineries have been engaged in combating this evil ever since. In the wake of September 11, 2001 - terrorists' attack, the US government declared the war against terror not only on the physical but also on the financial front. The objective of this seminar is to read and discuss existing and continuously emerging but select literature in the area of financial war against terrorism. The role of secret Swiss bank accounts on one extreme and to another of nonbank "Hawala" system of transfer of funds will be explored. In addition to a few articles from newspapers (e.g. The Wall Street Journal), periodicals and journals relevant chapters from the following books will be read: Terrorist Financing: Report of an Independent Task Force; Dirty Dealing: The Global truth About Global Money Laundering, International Crime and Terrorism; and Modern Jihad: Tracing the Dollars Behind The Terror Network.

47-CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES - TU 1:30-2:45 - Felder (Economics)
The class will meet nine times, beginning the third week of the semester. Each week will focus on a "contemporary issue" covered in our short text, "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Economic Issues." The readings provide brief "pro and con" viewpoints. Students will prepare to position 1-2 page papers to stimulate discussion. There are no correct answers to these issues. Yet, hopefully, reading, writing, and participation will make us better informed and more thoughtful as we reach and modify our views on these important issues.

Honors Seminars
Spring 2004

NOTE:
. You can only sign up for ONE honors seminar per semester.
. You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.

HON 101

40-PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - TU 3:30-4:45 - Fuller (Phil. & Rel. St.)
This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41-PLANTS AND PEOPLE -W 4:00-5:15 - Gehring (Biology)
In the course, we will study the interaction of people with plants. We will explore crop domestication, genetic engineering, genetic diversity, flower evolution, environmental issues and learn more about the student's favorite plants by reading both fiction and nonfiction works, including The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean and excerpts from other books and anthologies.

42-MIND-ALTERING MUSIC - W 2:00-2:50 - Zarvell (Educational Dev.)
For centuries, music has played an important role in our lives, evoking a spectrum of emotions within each of us. The emotional affects are the result of interactions between music genre, the composer's "emotionality," music theory (e.g. tempo, dissonance, minor, major keys, etc.), perceptions/experiences of the listener, and other factors. This course will examine those interactions beginning with a review of basic music theory and continuing with a review of primary music genres. Students will choose a particular music genre, choose a composer within that genre, then present samples of that music from personal collections or from the Music Library to produce a CD that can elicit relaxation, spiritual connectivity, libido "reactions," happiness and so forth.

43-THE BLUES - W 4:30-5:30 - Dolins (Computer Science)
This course examines an important American roots music, the blues. This course encompasses the following components: 1) the musical structure of the blues, 12 bar blues and the blues scale, 2) the early influences on the blues, i.e., work songs, ragtime, and church music, 3) the study of different musical styles of the blues, varying by instrumentation, geography, and time, 4) different American music styles that have been influenced by the blues, and 5) an introduction to interview and field work techniques for collecting oral history; these techniques will be used by students to interview four Chicago blues musicians who will be visiting class. The class will listen to numerous musical examples throughout the semester.

44-JUST AND UNJUST WARS - ARR - Kroll (Engineering)
An introduction to and investigation of the theory of "just" war. Topics include: The Moral Reality of War, the Theory of Aggression, the Conventions of War, and the Dilemmas of War. The third edition of Michael Walzer's book - Just and Unjust Wars - will be used. The course will be taught on-line and asynchronously. Students will participate via discussion boards and by providing position papers for the class to discuss.

45-ECONOMICS OF LOVE - W 11:00-11:50 - Shotick (Student Support Services)
This seminar will explore the impact and results of decisions regarding mate selection, marriage and family, income distribution, and discrimination. Students will be required to write a short paper examining public policy relating to a topic covered in the seminar.

46-LEADERSHIP AS A PERFORMING ART - W 3:00-5:00 - Modianos (Academic Affairs)
Performing and role playing as essential skills for leaders of organizations in the global society. Leadership as revealed by classical and contemporary dramatic literature and art including plays, films, and television. Class activities include performing, improvisation, assigned readings, theatre-going, and film viewing. For the first nine weeks of class, plus 3 evenings for viewing film or theater.

47-SCIENCE AND FAITH - TH 4:30-5:45 - Bosma (Chemistry Dept.)
This seminar will explore the interrelationship between the rational methods of science and the beliefs of Judeo-Christian religious faith. When a scientist has religious beliefs, are these a help or a hindrance to his/her profession? What attitudes should a theistic nonscientist have toward science? These questions and others will be critically analyzed.

LAS 101
SPRING 2004

03-ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION - TU 4:00-5:00 - Galsky
The course is designed to examine and discuss some of the important issues in higher education. The students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the range and complexity of issues involved in higher education. They will know the key questions to ask and the key data or information to analyze.

04-THE NEXT U.S. PRESIDENT - TH 1:30-2:45 - Mackaman (Director of the Dirksen Congressional Center)
This course will address three primary subjects, all timely in 2004: campaigning for President, predicting the outcome of the election, and governing as President. We will use actual documents from the 1976 presidential campaign, one of the closest in history (Jimmy Carter defeated the unelected incumbent Gerald R. Ford), to identify the factors that account for success or failure in a national campaign. We will assess those factors for 2004 campaign, too. Students will explore theories developed by historians, political scientists, and mathematicians to predict the outcome of the 2004 election. Find out if campaigning really matters. Campaigning is (or should be) the means to an end. The end is governing the nation. The third portion of the course will identify the qualities that account for success in a presidency. How do George W. Bush and his challengers measure up?

05-SONGWRITING FOR BEGINNERS - TH   9:00-9:50 - Kaizer (Music) / Prescott (English)
     This course is an interdisciplinary, team-taught course that combines lecture, group discussion, and performance in pursuit of the following objectives: 1. To deepen our understanding of the formal elements of lyric poetry; 2. To deepen our understanding of the musical conventions of song (e.g. melody, harmony, rhythm); 3. To discover and articulate what we ourselves admire in song repertoire; 4. To write an original song.
     The course begins with lectures on the musical and poetical dimensions of song, then moves to discussion of skills that heighten our appreciation of music and poetry (e.g. how to scan and "hear" the meter of a poem, how to craft verse and melody, how to listen for the musical and non-musical elements that are manifest in vocal music).
     After that introduction is complete, we will begin a workshop unit in the course in which students will write an original lyric poem, compose a vocal melody for that poem, and depending on their background in the fundamentals of music (harmony, rhythm, and the awareness of how these can interact ) even include a setting with simple instrumental accompaniment.

Honors Seminars
Fall 2003

NOTE:

1. You may sign up for only ONE honors seminar per semester.
2. You are NOT charged extra tuition for HON 100 if it takes you over 16 hours.
3. Register for HON 100 in person in Bradley 140.

HON 100

40-PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - TH 3:00-4:15 - FULLER (PHIL. & REL. ST.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

41-PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - TU 3:00-4:15 - FULLER (PHIL. & REL. ST.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

42-GENDER AND LEADERSHIP - TU 12:00-1:00 - SATTLER and RUSSELL-CHAPIN (EDUCATION & HEALTH SCIENCES)

This seminar is designed to introduce and familiarize the student with the varied dynamics involved with gender issues and leadership.

43-HEART OF LEADING - TH 3:00-4:30 - STONER (BMA DEPT.)

While many people hold positions of leadership, far fewer are viewed as real leaders - people who make a difference and inspire others. This seminar examines the foundations of leader character and courage and explores how real leaders build communities where people feel important and connected. The seminar will meet on 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, and 9/25.

44-MEANING OF HAPPINESS - MW 3:00-4:30 - JONES (HISTORY DEPT.)

What does it mean to be happy and how do people know if they are happy? Currently biologists and psychologists tell us chemicals in the brain explain happiness and unhappiness, but philosophers and literary figures have been concerned with the question on an intellectual level for many centuries. This course amounts to a discussion of what they have had to say about it and the role of happiness in a meaningful life - assuming we can decide what a meaningful life is.

46-UTOPIAN IMAGINATION - W 3:00-4:15 - BROWN (HISTORY DEPT.)

Utopia is the place where society and the individual, necessity and desire, past, present and future all meet in the mind's eye. Seminar participants will read and discuss selections from the history of utopian writing, and also be expected to write and share an original description of a utopia.

47-PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAMING - W 3:00-4:15 - FULLER (PHIL. & REL. ST.)

This seminar will explore several theories of dream interpretation (Freud, Jung, ego psychology, recent psychological studies). Readings will be on reserve in the library.

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Updated3/27/06