Honors Courses Fall 2004
HN 100 01: The Future of the American Corporation: Public Trust, Globalization, and the Responsible Use of Executive Power
Davis, Edgar
U, 2
M 12:15-2:00
The American economy continues to stagger from repeated instances of corporate misbehavior. Allegations of criminal violations and unethical practices have caused shareholders, retirees, and employees to lose millions of dollars and to suspect that personal greed has hijacked the traditional integrity of American enterprise. This course will examine the historical and moral roots of the American corporation, the economic, regulatory, and social consequences of recent scandals, and the potential for future leaders to restore a moral compass to corporate decision-making. Mr. Davis was vice president for corporate affairs at Lilly.
HN 100 02: Writing and Reading Autobiography
Farrell, Grace
U, 2
W 2-4
This course stresses personal reflection, self evaluation, and critical reading. Primarily a "creative non fiction" writing course, each student will ultimately produce a portfolio of autobiographical pieces. The first 2/3 of the course will focus on the messy, chaotic process of producing lots of ungraded drafts and expansions. Towards the end of the semester, in individual conferences, the professor will demonstrate how to pull form out of the mess you have created. Even if you have never considered yourself much of a writer, this process will work for you. In the background, we will study gendered and hegemonic implications of various forms and cultural uses of autobiographical writing; social differences in autobiographical representations of the self; the degree of deviation and intersection with cultural "master narratives"; and connections between autobiographical writing and the emergence of the modern idea of self. We will sample bourgeois and proletarian models, conversion narratives, collective histories, and non narrative models.
HN100 03: Art and Revolution
Hanson, Paul
U, 2
T 2.30-4.15
The major social/political revolutions in world history have also tended to be periods of artistic ferment and flourishing. The French Revolution gave us the art of Jacques Louis David and ushered in the modern era of classical orchestral music; the Paris Commune was accompanied by a virtual festival in the streets, as well as a rather gruesome siege, leading up to the heyday of the Impressionist painters; 1917 produced some wonderful poetry and led to the era of Soviet Socialist Realism; and the Chinese Communist revolution generated a wealth of poster art during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s 70s. In this seminar, we will consider art and revolution in these periods, and others, by reading historical and contemporary accounts and by examining the art itself, both visual and musical. The final weeks of the semester will be devoted to student presentations of individual and group projects.
HN100 04: Individual Liberty and Justice in the United States
Dulckeit, Katharina
U, 2
M 4-5.40
In this class we will analyse our deeply held beliefs in individual liberty and social justice, the extent to which these are impacted by social policy in the United States and how our findings compare to other countries. Students should come with an open mind ready to evaluate issues before us thoughtfully, critically, honestly and fairly. This class is not for you if you are unable or uncomfortable in challenging your own ideas or assumptions!
HN200 01: Shakespeare and Music
Murray, David
U, 2
M,W 1-2
This course will begin with the exploration of ways composers create expression in music, the study of some Shakespearean masterpieces, including "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and "Othello", and how various composers have set these to music, including any changes from the original plays.
HN200 02: Virgil - The Burden of Empire
Fortier, Anne
U, 2
T 1-3
What does it mean to be the citizen of a colossal empire, an empire hated for its arrogance and loathed for seeing itself as the only true protector of world liberty? Two thousand years ago, the ancient Romans struggled with this question, and to present day Americans the Roman experience is now more relevant than ever. Using Virgil's Aeneid as a prism through which we can contemplate both the past and the present, we will use this course to draw lines between the Romans and ourselves, discussing controlling ideas behind their empire and ours, the rights and duties of imperial citizens within the empire, and the ways in which the imperial citizen tends to interact with the surrounding world. Alongside the Aeneid, we will read brief extracts from relevant texts, old and new, and throughout the course the students will be encouraged to look for echoes of Roman ideology in feature films and the news media.
HN200 03: Sophocles
Filice, Frederick
U, 2
W 2.35-4.15
In many ways, it all begins with Sophocles. Critical theory, psychology, Western European theatre, and the modern horror movie all owe their existence to one Greek playwright. We will examine Sophocles, some of his contemporaries and his competition to see why he is so important to the history of Western thought.
HN200 50: Rumi
Saffire, Paula
U, 2
M 6-8
Rumi is the prince of mystic poets and the father of Dervish Whirling. His path is Sufism, the mystic branch of Islam. His poems are invitations and celebrations. They invite us to melt into the God state and they celebrate the intoxication of that melting. We will attempt to meet the poems of Rumi energetically as was as with the mind, trying whatever practices might help us 'grow our wings,' especially whirling. When we have exhausted our capacity to absorb the many gifts of Rumi's poetry, we will turn for comic relief to the stories of Nasrudin the Hodja, teacher and clown saint of Sufism. His absurd sayings and doings expose the ridiculousness of the ordinary workings of the human mind, and any story about him is said to deliver a blessing. Note: this course is for those who are brave hearted, open minded, and ready to use the body as part of learning.
HN300 01: Why is Black film “Black”?
Jett, Terri
U, 2
R 2:15 – 4:45 pm
What makes films produced and/or directed by African American filmmakers representational of the black experience in the United States? In this class we will view and analyze a cross-section of black films covering the mid-20th century to present day. Especially crucial will be the context in which these films were created, meaning the socio-political climate and the images that the filmmakers were attempting to project.
HN300 02: Examining Patriotism: An Indiana Experience
Meyer, Marty
U, 2
MW 2-2.50
Indiana is considered “middle of the road” in how citizens view many issues. Yet Hoosiers have a rich history in discussing and demonstrating diverse ideas concerning their love of state and country. This course will examine “patriotism” from an Indiana viewpoint. What Hoosier writings and works give us a sense of this viewpoint of patriotism? In what ways has patriotism evolved? What events sparked a Hoosier “call to action” in a demonstration of patriotism unique to Indiana? How does “The Patriot Act” mesh with the current Hoosier viewpoint defining patriotism? Readings from literary and historical/political writings; guest speakers; field experiences examining architecture, symbols, monuments, art, music, collecting and analyzing data though action research. Class will have both individual and group assignments
HN300 04: The Middle East Through Middle-Eastern Eyes
Mashhour, Amira
U, 2
M 1-3
This course will expose the students to a variety of subjects related to an important region in today's world. The cradle of civilizations and monotheistic religions, the Middle East has always been a vibrant region from all perspectives. We will introduce the students to its cultures, religions, economy, and art. We will discuss issues related to the family and traditions, cities, villages, and the desert. The course will look closely at regional conflicts and important changes. Videos, guest speakers, and field visits will enhance the learning process.
HN300 05: Leading in the Nonprofit Sector
Brower, Holly
U, 2
W 3-5
The nonprofit sector of our economy accounts for 12% of the jobs in the U.S. Even for those who may never work in a nonprofit organization, many will find that volunteering, donating, and being involved in nonprofit organizations will provide important balance to life and will give opportunities to give back to a community from which we receive so much! This course will explore the role of nonprofits in our community (churches, schools, civic organizations, political campaigns, etc.) and will examine how to effectively lead in them. Students will identify a cause for which they have a passion and develop a significant role to address an unmet need in the nonprofit sector addressing that cause.
HN352 01: Honors Tutorial
Scientific Vocations and Religious Faith
McGrath, James
U, 2
TBA
Explores the relationship between religion and science, focusing in particular on the religious views and scientific vocations of individual scientists who are also religious believers of some description and have expressed a religious component in their worldview. Year-long course with activities spanning both semesters. No regular class meetings. Requirements include attendance at four Tuesday evening public seminars (5:30-9:00 p.m.), three Saturday morning workshops, and occasional discussion meetings. Cross-listed as ST390 and RL375.