These class descriptions are provided by the instructors. Not every class is offered each semester.

ARH 101: Prehistoric Through Gothic Art

In this course, we will study major developments in visual art from the earliest cave paintings through the great cathedrals of the 14th century. Our inquiry will be organized around three central questions: Why did humans begin making art? What can art tell us about the people, places, and needs of the culture in which it is created? How does art reflect and shape culture? We will situate art within its historical and social context, develop vocabulary for discussing and understanding art, and engage in visual analysis and critical thinking. We will also explore new discoveries in art and why art of the past matters today. Throughout the course, we will discuss issues such as interpretation, restoration, cultural patrimony, gender, and patronage in order to understand the rich cultural production of the world, including Stonehenge, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Parthenon, the Coliseum, Emperor Qin’s buried terracotta army, Buddha images, illuminated manuscripts, mosaics, and more!

ASB 226: Human Impacts on Ancient Environments

Upwards of twenty ice ages came and went during the Pleistocene epoch from 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years b2k (before AD 2000). But only the last glacial advance and retreat (the last ice age) had us in it — cognitively and anatomically modern humans in the middle of all that Northern Hemisphere ice and snow. That last ice age effectively re-set our earth’s ecological clock, and what happened next are the ancestral environments of the ones in which we live now. ASB 226 HUMAN IMPACTS ON ANCIENT ENVIRONMENTS is the story of those environments and us changing, adapting, re-adapting, and learning to live together. The story of our interrelationship with our environments is not all bad. For example, what European explorers from the 16th century through the 19th century referred to as untamed wilderness in North America was actually more on the order of well-tended landscapes. The cumulative effect of some 13,000 years of Traditional Ecological Knowledge. From the coming of First Nations people to the New World up to European contact, it is fair to say that things went well between us and the environment. We will talk about Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and its role in our modern world. Our own National Park Service (NPS) maintains the world’s go-to database for Traditional Ecological Knowledge (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tek/index.htm) Lessons from Traditional Ecological Knowledge here are being applied in the 21st century rewilding movement in Europe. Before you write-off Europe as being late to the game and probably a lost cause environmentally, you should consider that at this moment there appear to be more wolves living wild in Europe than here in the U.S. We will talk about how the former Iron Curtain has become a Baltic-to-Balkans wildlife travel corridor and green belt. ASB 226 HUMAN IMPACTS ON ANCIENT ENVIRONMENTS uses case studies from the end of the last ice to the 21st century to trace our journey toward understanding our environments even as we depended on them for our survival — because we still do.

ART 131: Photography I

Want to have fun learning how to use your camera and take better photographs? This Photography I class will teach you how to use the technical controls of your camera and make beautiful photographs. Our class goes on many field trips (during class time) to photograph on location. We also visit local museums and galleries to see photographic exhibitions and write about them. The class will study historical and contemporary photographers. You will have the opportunity to emulate the style of a photographer of your choice in your own photographic work. Have you ever been in a darkroom? In this class you will receive some hands-on experience working in a traditional darkroom learning photographic processes.

ASB 223: Buried Cities, Lost Tribes: New World

Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: New World will introduce you to archaeological methods and theories through the investigation of numerous ancient societies from throughout North, Central, and South America. How do archaeologists do their work? How and when did humans first migrate to the New World? In addition to answering these questions, we will learn about why hunting-and-gathering people first settled down, how innovations such as agriculture, writing, and roads came about, and how people planned the first cities of the New World. We will investigate these topics through the study of the great ancient cultures of the Americas such as the Maya, Inca, and Chacoans among many lesser known cultures as well. As students in this honors course you will be directly involved in researching, discussing, and presenting on these and many other topics.

ASM 104: Bones, Stones and Human Evolution

Who are you? Who were your ancestors? What makes humans special (or not so special), compared to other animals? Why do humans have different traits? What does it mean to be human? This course is an introduction to biological anthropology, which is the holistic study of humans and their biocultural adaptations to their environments.You will review evidence from both past and present human populations across topics such as anthropological studies of genetics, non-human primate studies, human biological variation, and human evolution. Get ready to get your science on with a hands-on, hypothesis-driven research project in either genetics or skeletal anatomy!

AST 112: Introduction to Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology

CFS 176: Child Development

In this course, we will examine growth and development through the age stages starting from prenatal development through adolescence. The focus of this examination is on the domains of development - physical, social-emotional, cognitive, language, and psychological domains. Through this course, a variety of real world issues that relate to the growth and development in these age stages will be reviewed. Some of the classroom strategies include interactive discussions, video reviews, small group and large group classroom activities, creation of timelines, and observations of children through the age stages of development.

CIS 105: Survey of Computer Information Systems

The Honors section for CIS105 is designed to provide in depth overview and activities for students working with computer technology, concepts, terminology, and the role of computers in society. The course activities are set up to include discussions of current social and ethical issues related to computers. Honors students will be developing projects that explore how computer information systems are used in support of business and industry. In addition students use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. To take this one step further students use application software and the Internet for efficient and effective critical thinking and problem solving.

COM 100: Introduction to Human Communication

Honors Introduction to Human Communication explores the theories and research related to small group communication, public speaking, and interpersonal relationships. In the spirit of the honors program, we depend upon each other to explore human communication based upon the insights we each gain throughout the semester. Specifically in each of the three areas as both an observer and participant: Small Group Communication – Students attend local government meetings and watch community meetings online. Theories on small group communication become meaningful as we share what we see working for team members and what could be improved. As group participants we form small groups with the goal of writing an APA formatted research paper on non-verbal communication. Public Speaking – We watch speeches online which changed the course of American history. Theories of rhetorical criticism are used as the lens for student analysis of pivotal speeches in history. The speeches students give are tailored to community college students with longer formats which included question and answer sessions, even online! Interpersonal Communication – Honors students observe the film The King’s Speech and explain how characters use information they gain from others to develop their self-concept. Personal reflections about feedback, self-disclosure, conflict, and other variables are explored as we expand our own perspectives on relationship communication.

COM 225: Public Speaking

This course is primarily about improving your ability to get along amicably with others, have more influence among your peers, be more assertive, speak effectively in public, work together with others as a team, and act appropriately as a professional. This course will provide clear answers about public speaking –whether you are in this class presenting a speech, in a course in your major, on the job, or in the community. This course covers steps to create speech-from planning, research, and development to organization, practice, and delivery. In this class, in addition to a speech about your culture, you will present an informative, persuasive, and special occasion speech.

This course equips students with the essential skills and confidence needed for effective public communication. Public speaking highlights the significance of articulate expression in a democratic society, fostering an environment where diverse ideas can thrive through public discourse. Students will learn to organize, develop, and deliver various types of speeches, focusing on key components such as research, reasoning, organization, outlining, composition, and presentation techniques. The course emphasizes ethical public speaking practices and the application of rhetorical principles. Additionally, students will engage in critical evaluations of speeches to deepen their understanding of effective communication. Ultimately, this course not only prepares students for academic success but also provides them with vital communication skills that are applicable in both personal and professional contexts.

COM 230: Small Group Communication

Effective communication in a community, family, public, or professional setting requires a thorough understanding of how people behave and interact in a group context. This course is designed to take you on a practical journey through small group processes and team building. Consequently, this course will focus on both the theory and practice of small group communication with creative task-oriented groups.

COM 263: Elements of Intercultural Communication

Are you eager to become an effective communicator in our global village? COM 263 is designed to equip you with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of intercultural communication with the intention of providing introductory knowledge for interacting effectively and appropriately in diverse cultural contexts. This course aims to help you understand various dimensions of intercultural communication related to both domestic and international contexts through fun, interactive, and creative exercises centered around you. In this course, you will not only learn about the diverse theories of culture, you will
experience the world of intercultural communication through food, music, art, traditions,
myths, fashion and so much more. In addition, the course draws from multiple perspectives
such as social scientific, humanistic, and rhetorical/critical, and can lend you the tools needed
to: Identify the complex and critical relationship between culture and communication; Learn
the importance of context, self-awareness, and power in intercultural communication;
Investigate/explore how your own cultural identity has formed through communication;
Examine the influence of your own cultural group regarding the way you perceive members of
other cultural groups (i.e. race, identity, stereotypes, nonverbal communication, conflict,
cultural space, etc.), and learn to become a more flexible, open-minded, and thoughtful
communicator in today's global world.

DAH 100: Introduction to Dance

What is dance? It can be difficult to define. Some people dance socially for fun or to find a potential life partner, but what are the rules? Others study specific dance techniques with hopes of becoming a professional. Many cultures identify themselves with the way they dance, when they dance and with whom. We will question where we think dance began and how it evolved from native peoples to B-boys. We will explore the history of ballet from the Italian Renaissance ballrooms to the industrial revolution’s influence on American contemporary ballet. How modern dance helped drive women’s liberation and how jazz dance impacted black oppression in America. From sacred dance traditions to contemporary dance trends, this course will include interpreting lecture material, class and group discussions and projects, the viewing and written critique of video and live dance performances, student research papers and presentations and super fun dance movement days!!!

ECN 211: Macroeconomic Principles

Macroeconomic Principles Honors course is an active-learning course that incorporates weekly interactive simulations and activities to teach economic principles with an emphasis on basic economic institutions, factors that determine national income and employment levels, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies, international trade, etc. Course lectures and activities are supplemented with rich multi-media resources and most course assessments are completed online. The course covers the same material and moves at the same pace as the regular macroeconomics course, but the course research project is focused on applying economics to a topic of the students choosing.

In 1890 Alfred Marshall described economics as "the study of mankind in the ordinary business of life." Studying economics will help you understand the world around you, make you a more astute participant in the economy, and give you a better understanding of both the potential and limits of economic policy. And along the way you'll acquire the skills to solve economic mysteries like: Why did changing a tax law cause millions of children to disappear overnight? Why would industry leaders advocate for increasing regulations in their own industry? Why are there so few whales and so many chickens? Why a $0.99 hamburger today is actually cheaper than a $0.15 hamburger in 1955... and more!

ENG 101: First Year Composition

ENG 101 HONORS: It’s English 101 with a twist! Honors students in this course will focus on expository writing, college level writing strategies, and understanding the rhetorical tools used by writers that get people to pay attention. From advertising to opinion to blogs and even fake news, this class will examine how writing works through various writing and multi-modal projects. Each assignment will also have an “Honors Twist” which asks students to re-imagine the original assignment by changing the audience, purpose, or appeals, or by adding another level of interpretation.

EDU 222: Introduction to the Exceptional Learner

This honors course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles and practices related to exceptional learners, focusing on students with disabilities. Featuring lectures from leading experts in the field, students will gain valuable insights into inclusive education, adaptive teaching strategies, and the impact of disabilities on learning and development. Students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical principles through a hands-on IEP project, where they will create a fictional student and explore components of an Individualized Education Plan tailored to their educational and behavioral needs. Additionally, the course includes a field experience in a K-12 classroom, allowing students to observe and engage with exceptional learners in real-world settings. This course is ideal for aspiring educators and those with personal connections to individuals with disabilities, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse learning needs and promoting advocacy in educational settings. Join us for a transformative learning experience that prepares you to make a positive difference in the lives of exceptional learners.

HES 100: Healthful Living

This course provides an overview and exploration of the different dimensions of health and wellness. Topics include stress management, nutrition, fitness, relationships, addictive behaviors, and more. In addition to examining health needs and recommendations, this class will provide you with the opportunity to evaluate your own health and develop strategies for improving behaviors

HES 210: Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness

This class examines how culture influences health and illness. We will explore various components of culture within and outside of the United States. Students will explore personal values and beliefs, considering how their own culture and social influences have shaped their worldview and health behaviors. Students will be exposed to various health practices/traditions and healthcare delivery systems in order to examine a variety of public health issues (e.g. food security, substance use), cultural barriers to healthcare, health disparities, and more.

HIS 103: United States History to 1865

This course is an exploration of American History from early European contact in the late 1400s through the Civil War in the 1860s. Through the examination of primary and secondary sources, visual arts, and literature, we will examine the lives of both ordinary and extraordinary people in order to understand the key issues of each era. Our non-traditional textbook is a reader comprised of cutting-edge scholarship in the historical field, and serves as the foundation for our discussions of how “history” is created and adapted over time. Class sessions will consist of interactive lecture, video and audio clips, and structured discussion that will allow you to sharpen your analytical skills, reconsider your prior knowledge of America’s past, and gain a new perspective on the people who shaped the destiny of a nation.

HUM 205: Introduction to Cinema

Being able to analyze films provides a basis for understanding both visual and narrative rhetorical techniques. This course begins with an overview of major film elements used to talk about the production and consumption of films. The course then introduces major theories and methods of film analysis and interpretation. I think the concepts you learn, the films you will view, and the technologies you will use in this class are important to becoming critical consumers in our contemporary, primarily visual, culture. We will focus on the evolution of heroes and heroism in this semester’s course. From early films such as Rear Window with its everyman hero to today’s reinvention of Bond and superheroes. We will discuss how heroes reflect our values and changing societal constructs—especially in lieu of a film such as Wonder Woman.

I have tried to do two major things in this course: 1. To introduce you to the major concepts used when producing and writing about films; and 2. To introduce you to major theories and original writings about how films are interpreted and consumed. The first goal addresses fundamental concepts and elements in film studies. The second goal is an applied goal, helping you begin thinking and dialoguing about films in a critically engaged manner. A side benefit of the theoretical part of the course is that it will strengthen your ability to read difficult but influential texts in film studies. As you read and write about these texts, you will strengthen your own vocabulary and writing skills.

MHL 145: American Jazz and Popular Music

The story of America's only true fine art form is inexplicably intertwined with the story of its very struggle to become a nation for all peoples. From African music traditions that were blended with European music in Southern U.S. slave plantations, jazz music exploded across the country during the first half of the 20th century, becoming its first popular music during the Jazz Age in the early 1920s. This course explores how this solely American artform became nearly ubiquitous in its films, nightclubs, concert halls, radio, and recordings as entertainment that mirrored its cultural struggles and changes into the 21st century. Live-online lectures filled with nearly 100 audio/video examples augment deeply engaging readings, music journals, and live jazz concert reviews, culminating in the creation of each student's own Reaction Videos as a final project.

PHI 212: Contemporary Moral Issues

Who says philosophy doesn’t deal with real life? Let me teach you how to rationally argue about the following questions and issues (and then you can say intelligent and impressive things to your friends and family, and maybe even prove them wrong): (1) Is abortion morally permissible? (2) Should we legalize marijuana, cocaine, and heroin? (3) Is euthanasia morally permissible? (4) Should we genetically engineer and/or clone humans? (5) Should criminals be executed? (6) Is terrorism and/or torture ever justifiable? (7) Exactly how free is our speech, and how free should it be? (8) Is pornography repressive and therefore morally wrong? (9) Do we have a right to health care? (10) Is meat murder? (11) Do we have any ethical obligation(s) to the environment? (12) What, if anything, should we do about overpopulation and world hunger? Take a class that will teach you something that will stay with you for years after it’s over

PHI 218: Philosophy of Sexuality

Let's talk about sex, love, and sexual ethics! Well begin by covering Plato's dialogue with different views of love, what St. Paul and Jesus say about love, sex, and marriage in the Bible, then move on to what Kant and other philosophers say on those topics. Well, move on to philosophical questions such as what is sex, sexual perversion, polyamory, sexual orientation, asexuality, sex and technology, prostitution, BDSM, and more!

PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology

This course is designed to analyze why people do the things that they do. Would you like to better understand the dynamics of personal relationships? Through class discussions, experiments, demonstrations, and videos, we will interactively explore causes and explanations of human behavior. We will look at how genetics, culture, and the social situation contribute to behavior. Topics of investigation include learning and memory, abnormal psychology and therapy, developmental psychology, social psychology, and sleep and dreams.

**Students must also be enrolled in PSY 102 - Intro to Psychology Lab to earn honors credit for PSY 101.

PSY 102: Introduction to Psychology Lab

See description for PSY 101. Students enrolling in PSY 101 for honors credit must also be enrolled in PSY 102.

PSY 132: Psychology and Culture

This course is constructed to explore the behavior and thought processes expressed through culture by humans. Have you ever considered how your own culture influences your perspective and behavior? How is your culture similar and/or different from other cultures in the world today? How can we enhance our interactions as we live in a multicultural society? Within this honors course, questions such as these and many more will be addressed. You will be immersed in the exploration and discussion of the impact of culture on behavioral processes within current society.

REL 100: World Religions

World religions offer a fascinating way to learn about other peoples and cultures by understanding what is most sacred to them! This entertaining and fast-paced course is an introduction to Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and how these traditions are celebrated around the globe. Become a world citizen by appreciating your neighbors here and afar!

REL/WST 290: Women and World Religions

In this introductory course, we examine how women are viewed and treated in religions around the world including: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Indigenous traditions, and new spiritual movements. We study how religious myths and symbols are used to establish, maintain, and enforce gender roles within specific cultural contexts as well as how women have become leaders within these faith traditions.

SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology

Honors Introduction to Sociology is designed to answer questions about the social nature of society and social life. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts of social organization, culture, socialization, social institutions, and social change. No prerequisites are required. The material presented in this course is intended to provide an overview of the field of sociology, as well as an understanding of the sociological perspective of society. Students will have an opportunity to apply the sociological perspective to better understand how social factors influence our choices such as who we choose to marry, groups we join, occupational choices, and factors that influence upward mobility and social inequality. Students will learn about sociological research and engage in identifying social issues and problems.

SOC 212: Gender and Society

This course provides an overview of the history and experiences of genders within ethnic groups in America. This course will analyze and dissect the history and experiences of women and their contributions to the world community. Topics covered in this class include Socialization, Racism, Politics, The Penal System, Discrimination, Education, Religion, Family Life, Third World Perspectives, and Social Stratification.

SOC 241: Race and Ethnic Relations

What is this thing we call race? In this sociology course, we will examine some of the most fundamental beliefs about the concepts of race. Myths about race—including “natural” superiority and inferiority—are examined, challenged, and taken apart through readings, discussions, videos, and activities. Not only do we focus on individual behaviors and attitudes, but also on how our institutions (education, politics, economics, etc.) shape and create race, giving different groups vastly unequal life chances. We explore why the playing field is still not level almost fifty years after the Civil Rights Movement and how “colorblind” policies only perpetuate these inequities.

SUS 110: Sustainable World

Course description coming soon.

WST 161: American Women Since 1920

With the rise of the #metoo movement and words like "intersectionality" being thrown around in Academy Award speeches in 2018, American public is aware of the struggles women go through on a daily basis more than ever. But how did it all begin? How did the struggle for women's rights evolve throughout the American history, specifically in the last century, following the suffrage movement and the era of women's increased participation in social, political and financial aspects of everyday life? This class explores the progression of women's rights in the United States, focusing on how the dominant culture and the changing world had an impact on women’s place at home, workplace, in the civil rights movement as well as the rest of the political and social events that shaped the recent American topography. It provides a causal-historical analysis of the ever-changing difficulties women from different backgrounds face while providing a critical look at the women's rights movements themselves, especially in light of the struggles of women of color and immigrant women who fought to make the women’s movement in the US more inclusive for all.