course_descriptions_spring_2010.pdf

UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SPRING 2010

LBST 1102 H94 CRN 23250 Arts and Society: (Re-)Presenting Place, Identity, and Memory on Film

D. Dutta

Thursday 2-4:45

LBST 1102 explores issues of place, identity, and memory in contemporary world cinema. We will use our insights and explorations in the reel world to discuss and theorize about possible connections between human memory, national and cultural identities, and place in the real world. To help us frame our class discussions and written projects, we will borrow several theoretical concepts from literary and cultural studies. Therefore, even though ours is primarily a course on film analysis and interpretation, we will rely quite heavily on outside readings. This course will consist of several response journals, a film interpretation essay, an oral presentation, and a term portfolio.

LBST 1105 H91 CRN 23100 Arts and Society: Visual Art

J. Hicks

Friday 9:30 – 12:15pm

What is art? Are there limits to the form, intent or function of art? Who makes these decisions? Why is it important to consider and understand art? These are some of the questions we will ponder in Arts in Society. On a quest to answer these questions, this course will provide ample opportunities for you to explore art, cultural and personal enrichment through diverse experiences in and out of the classroom, including visits to uptown galleries, the NoDa gallery crawl and visits from guest artists You will be required to attend events outside of class and to write about your art experiences.

LBST 2101 H96 CRN24158 Western Civilization

William Gay

Tues /Thurs 3:30 – 4:45

All sections of this course explore a major aspect of western culture. Particular attention is given to an examination of the constructed nature of the present through a close examination of the past and the ways that selected institutions, ideas, or practices change over time and spread in human society, producing both continuity and novelty. The honors section of this course will focus on the conceptual and historical aspects of violence, terrorism, war, non violence, justice and the economic motivations and results, both intended and unintended, associated with these phenomena.

This course is interdisciplinary, exploratory, and participatory. As an instructor I believe that as individuals, especially as citizens in the reigning superpower, each of us should examine and confront the related issues of war, peace, and justice. Too often the individual approaches these issues quite superficially or avoids their examination as too abstract or futile. As your instructor, I will attempt to steer you away from these pitfalls by confronting some of the main questions, reflecting on data that documents changing realities and possible consequences of the global war system, and exploring ideas on alternative approaches to peace and justice. By drawing on the fields of philosophy, sociology, history, and political science the course is interdisciplinary. By focusing more on the process by which we understand than on the search for a "correct answer," the course is exploratory. Finally, by emphasizing individual involvement in the examination of these issues, the course is participatory. Prerequisite: English 1102 or English 1103.

LBST 2102 H92 CRN 23136 Global Connections (WI): Women’s Status Across Cultures

Carol Gay

Tues/Thurs 11:00- 12:15

This course compares the status of women in the United States today to the status of women in various cultures around the world, focusing on important similarities as well as differences. Analyzes women’s second-class status in the institutions of family, education, politics, the law, the economy, healthcare, and religion and suggests ways to improve women’s circumstances. Also includes a study of the effects of globalization on women. Prerequisite: English 1102 or English 1103.

LBST 2102 H93 CRN 23138 Global Connections (WI)

Cross listed with Honors 1702

J. Perry

Wed 6:30 – 8:45pm

This course is designed to explore the political and economic linkages between the wealthy developed nations and the poorer two thirds of the world defined as developing nations. As an interdisciplinary course, we will study current thought in the areas of economics, political science, philosophy, and sociology. Students in the course will be asked to consider issues such as economic justice, economic development theory, the political use of food and resources, and alternative economic futures that may enhance economic justice for all world citizens. Prerequisite: English 1102 or English 1103.

LBST 2213 H95 CRN 23163 Science, Technology, and Human Values

J. Flores

Mon/Wed 2-3:15pm

This course will focus on the discussion and understanding of current scientific topics in various media forms to help students better engage in the science world around them. We will hold classroom discussions and engage in class activities using the web, as well as print and visual media. The major theme of the course will be Science vs. Pseudoscience.

HONR 2701 H01 CRN23250 Enrichment Seminar (2 credits graded P/NC)

C. Rothwell

This course focuses on cultural identity and expressions. Students attend a variety of events from the visual arts and performing arts as well as special lectures. Through direct contact, this course is intended to introduce students to events, both contemporary and traditional, to which they would not otherwise be exposed. May be repeated for credit as topics, and course work may vary. Must have permission of instructor.

HONR 2750 H01 CRN 23251 Community Service Practicum (1 credit graded P/NC)

R. Arnold

Mon 9:30 – 10:45am

The purpose of this laboratory experience is to investigate and demonstrate how individuals can make a difference in the human condition. Relationships between the volunteer individual and community agencies served are examined within the context of problem-solving strategies and social/political justice. Impact of volunteerism upon human rights is explored. Students enrolled attend weekly seminar meetings, complete 40 hours of service, and create a reflective journal assignment and final portfolio. May be repeated for credit as topics and course work may vary.

The focus of this section will be on Homelessness and Poverty in our community. We will work with the Rooms in the Inn initiative at UNC Charlotte.

HONR 2750 H02 CRN 23252 Community Service Practicum (1 credit graded P/NC)

R. Arnold

Friday 9:30 – 10:45am

The purpose of this laboratory experience is to investigate and demonstrate how individuals can make a difference in the human condition. Relationships between the volunteer individual and community agencies served are examined within the context of problem-solving strategies and social/political justice. Impact of volunteerism upon human rights is explored. Students enrolled attend weekly seminar meetings, complete 40 hours of service, and create a reflective journal assignment and final portfolio. May be repeated for credit as topics and course work may vary. The focus of this course is on Oral History and Community. Students will learn to plan and complete field work and transcription of their recordings.

HONR 3700 H01 CRN 23253 New Media for Communications

S. Phillipson

Tues/Thurs 9:30 – 10:45am

This course will develop a foundation of knowledge for creating and publishing digital media. The class will analyze changing communication through new media. Students will create, design & publish online content in the form of digital images (photography), audio podcasts, digital video & web. The final project will include producing a short digital film.

HONR 3700 H03 CRN 23286 Punishment and Freedom

B. Arrigo

Tues/Thurs 12:30 – 1:45pm

In Western societies, freedom assumes a prominent role in charting the development of cultures and civilizations. In advanced technologically sophisticated societies (e.g., the United States), freedom is cherished: it is defined as that condition which enables choice, informs reasoned judgment, and fosters independence. Conversely, punishment is regarded as an artifact of freedom gone awry or of making “bad” choices. Punishment (e.g., surveillance, sanctions, confinement, torture, execution) is the mechanism by which people and their behavior are socially controlled. But in advanced, technologically sophisticated, consumer-driven societies, is freedom necessarily that condition which liberates us? Moreover, are choices – considered to be inappropriate, deviant, dangerous, and criminal – resulting in punishment, necessarily a function of unchecked, unrestrained freedom? In short, might “bad” choices signify the limits (rather than the excesses) of freedom? And, if so, might punishment (and the culture of control) be the least humane and insightful response for those who draw our attention (perhaps unknowingly) to freedom’s shortcomings?

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This course grapples with these questions. Erich Fromm’s classic text, Escape from Freedom (1994), sets the stage for understanding what freedom means, especially in capitalistic and democratic societies like the United States. Moreover, the edited text, Convict Criminology (2002) – authored by prisoners, former convicts, and academics sympathetic to penal reform/abolition – documents how freedom both emancipates and constrains, makes possible and forecloses, confirms and contests the humanity of us all. Finally, the volume, Ironies of Imprisonment (2005), addresses specific facets of correctional practice (e.g., the war on drugs, the health care crisis behind bars; prison violence, punitive profit) that dramatically reveal where and how the culture of control functions in the United States today. As such, the course, Punishment and Freedom, probes the boundaries of how these two constructs are inextricably wedded to one another, and how they are the source of considerable speculation regarding consumerism, democracy, capitalism, and ethics. Prereq: Must have earned 30 hrs.

HONR 3700 H02 CRN 23254 Game Theory

J. Perry

Mon 6:30 - 8:45pm

Strategic thought is the attempt to surpass a competitor, knowing that the competitor is making every attempt to prevent that from happening. Examples of strategic thinking abound in the fields of economics, business, politics, sports, war, and everyday life. In this course, students will learn the basics of game theory and how it can be applied to a variety of circumstances. They will learn how to analyze situations in which two or more parties are competing and decide what the best course of action for each is, and what the outcome of the conflict will or may be. Case studies will include examples from economic, political, and legal interactions (as well as a few more standard examples, such as military incidents). Students will see how game theory (the modeling of interactive decision making) applies in everyday life, demonstrated in classroom discussions, interactive assignments, and films. Each section of class will showcase a different "field" where game theory applies.

HONR 3700 H04 CRN 24162 Landmarks in American Law

N. Northcott

Tues/Thurs 12:30 – 1:45pm

Focusing on civil rights, this course examines seminal cases in American jurisprudence. Students will read United States Supreme Court opinions and study the cases in their historical contexts. The progression of African Americans from property constituting 3/5 of a person to the end of segregation, the interment of Japanese American and others, and the power of superstition in the Salem witch trials are among the issues addressed in this course.

HONR 3702 H01 CRN 23288 World through Film (WI)

J. Hicks

Tues 2:00 – 4:45pm

The purpose of this course is quite simple: to explore various cultures through film, India, Iran, Israel, even Igloolik offer mesmerizing films that pull us into cultures foreign and mysterious. The films of China explore the explosion of modernity / technology as it clashes with ancient traditions and values. Films from the Middle East offer glimpses of women’s lives, both privileged and desperate, as well as values and customs that seem quite foreign. Eastern European films often show us a world out of sync, perhaps even out of control. And French films always have a unique perspective of modern life. The films chosen for this course are intelligent and worthy of discussion and exploration. Stark and shocking, poignant, perplexing, compelling, and at times, humorous, these films are, above all, thought-provoking. This course is an invitation to peek into the world of foreign films. With this peek will come a greater understanding of other cultures, other worlds, far from ours. Certainly we cannot hope to fully understand a culture from a film, but film exposes relevant social issues that can broaden our perspective of the world in general. Hopefully, we will also come away with an enlightened sense of the many perspectives that make up the world of film – multiple visions beyond the Hollywood hype. And finally, these films offer not only a journey to places far away, but also an inner journey to a greater understanding of ourselves and our place in this world.

HONR 3702 H02 CRN 23289 Americans in Paris (WI)

J. Hicks

Mon 12:30 – 1:45pm

What better way is there to explore a culture than to actually go there? In the weeks before our trip to Paris we will prepare by considering observations about the culture, art, food, and customs of the country through the eyes of other Americans who have lived and worked in the City of Light. We will spend Spring Break in Paris. Each student will choose a focal point of interest for the trip and while we are in Paris, you will have time for in-depth exploration of that focus --food, the economy, fashion, art, transportation, religion, immigrant issues are just a few options a student might choose for that exploration. Written requirements include a journal and a portfolio.

HONR 3790 H01 CRN 23291 Honors Senior Seminar

C. Rothwell

Thurs 2 – 3:15pm

In this course, we will explore the options for the Senior Project for graduation with Honors Distinction. We will also explore life after college, and what one needs to do to prepare for the transition to graduate school or to employment. Our main objective is to complete the application for candidacy to graduate with honors and the project proposal. We will meet once a week. The course is graded on a Pass/NoCredit basis.

HONR 3790 H02 CRN 23292 Honors Senior Project

C. Rothwell

This course must be completed to graduate with University Honors Distinction*. Proposals must have been approved by the Honors Council in the previous semester. Candidates for graduation with honors work with their honors committees to complete their projects which include a finished product and an oral presentation. *Honors students who are completing departmental honors theses do not elect this course.