Honors Program (HONR)

How to Read Course Descriptions

HONR 1.     First Year Seminar: Education, Self-Examination, and Living. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Open only to Honors students.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Understanding Personal Development (E)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to comparative ideas of education and self-development. In writings from around the world, examines works on education, autobiographical accounts, and short stories to explore concepts of teaching, learning, human growth and development, and the role of the school and university in the realization of human potential.

HONR 2.     Great Books and World Civilization I. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HONR 1 and instructor permission.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Students read, discuss, and explore some of the most influential works of literature, philosophy, history, and religion from cultures around the world prior to the 15th century. Students will gain knowledge of different cultural traditions, explore ways to criticize and to learn from different genres of literature, examine their own concepts and ideas, and practice skills of critical thinking in dialogue with challenging works. Readings will be drawn from a broad array of sources, including Greek, Chinese, and Indian traditions, different religious faiths, and works of literature representing a variety of outlooks and views.

HONR 3.     Great Books and World Civilization II. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): HONR 2 and instructor permission.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Students read, discuss, and explore some of the most influential works of literature, philosophy, history, and religion from cultures around the world from the 15th century to the present. Students will gain knowledge of different cultural traditions, explore ways to criticize and to learn from different genres of literature, examine their own concepts and ideas, and practice skills of critical thinking in dialogue with challenging works. Readings will be drawn from a broad array of sources, including Greek, Chinese, and Indian traditions, different religious faiths, and works of literature representing a variety of outlooks and views.

HONR 101.     Science and the Public Good. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Further Studies in Area B (B5)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course examines how scientists employ information derived through the scientific method and statistical analyses to form conclusions. The methodology of science is applied to public policy debates relating to climate change, the use of DNA, Creationist/evolutionist issues, water conservation, land use zoning, energy, mineral resources, and other topics.

HONR 102.     The Public Good Through the Visual and Performing Arts. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Upper division status in Honors Program; GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Writing Intensive Graduation Requirement (WI)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course explores the role of the visual and performing arts as a catalyzing and infinitely variable means of pursuing the public good. Students will engage with the artistic process as well as learn how works of art have successfully challenged ideological conventions and helped change social and political systems. Strategies of making art will be examined in the form of specific visual and performativity methodologies, the context of the artist, and the public perception of various art forms.

HONR 103.     Civic Engagement, Service Learning: Pursuing the Public Good. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Must be admitted to Honors Program

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Students to be an active participant in his/her own learning process through a service learning experience and participation in a corresponding seminar. Students are offered a reciprocal opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop skills while providing service and assistance to the community. Students will have the opportunity to assess the circumstances of an organization and provide feedback on their situation. The student will evaluate and assess his/her service learning from three perspectives: the physical universe and its life forms, social issues and social science research, and the arts.

Note: An international experience can be substituted for a local service learning experience. See Honors Program Director for more information.

HONR 120.     Honors One World Seminar. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Open to students in the Honors program and permission of the program director.

Seminar dedicated to exploring the One World theme for the university. Topic changes annually.

HONR 150.     Leadership Seminar. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Open only to Honors students.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Seminar dedicated to exploring the principles of effective leadership.

HONR 195.     Community Fieldwork and Internship. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Open to students in the Honors Program with permission of the program director and advanced approval of project goal and objective.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised service-learning experience with a community partner. This experience focuses on application of the interdisciplinary approach of the General Education Honors Program while affording students direct, hands-on experiences.

Credit/No Credit

HONR 196.     Honors Senior Thesis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Open only to students enrolled in the GE Honors program with permission of the program director.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Honors research seminar in which students will complete a research paper in the discipline of their choice based on original research. Recommended for the student's final semester of study.

HONR 199.     Special Problems. 1 - 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Open to students enrolled in the General Education Honors Program. Individual projects and directed reading for students who are competent to assume independent work. Requires approval of the Honors Program Director and Honors faculty member under whom the independent work is to be conducted.