University Honors Program

Wall drawings by students in Honors ARTZ 105, fall 2016

Wall drawings by students in Honors ARTZ 105, fall 2016

Wall drawings by students in Honors ARTZ 105, fall 2016

Fall 2017 Courses

HONR 111 Perspectives and Understanding – Professor David Craig
3 cr. Explores classic and contemporary works of literature, art, and philosophy with an emphasis on cultural and historical contexts in order to develop critical and multi-disciplinary analytical skills. For fall 2015, the course will explore such interrelated issues as: 1) learning how to live in this world, 2) the frequent conflict between individual longings and societal values, and 3) the search for meaning and value in personal life.

COMX 111-002 HON Intro to Public Speaking – Professor Melinda Tilton
3 cr. Develops speaking abilities; students acquire an understanding of basic rhetorical theory and its application in a variety of speech situations. Listening, speaking and critiquing abilities are emphasized. This course addresses the following topics: speech preparation and delivery, forming and fielding questions, audience analysis, listening skills, critiquing and speaker anxiety.

ARTZ 105-002 Visual Language/Drawing – Professor Jodi Lightner
3 cr. Introduces the beginning student to the basic fundamentals of drawing including line, form, value, composition, and linear perspective. Instruction will include drawing of various subjects and many include the nude figure.

WRIT 101-005 HON College Writing I – Professor Steven Funk

3 cr. Provides instruction in writing competencies expected of college students. Pays special attention to writing as a problem-solving process, patterns of organization in personal and informative writing, and logical thinking style in argumentative/persuasive writing.

HONR 294-002 Historian as Detective – Professor Jennifer Lynn

3 cr. Examines the basic research methods of History. Includes basic research writing and information gathering skills appropriate to History. Students will be instructed in the use of the Turbian/Chicago Manual of Style system of documentation. The course also prepares students to delve more deeply into the discipline of History by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in more advanced study through upper division courses in the History program.

HONR 311 Advanced Perspectives and Understanding – Professor David Craig
3 cr. Explores classic and contemporary works of literature, art, and philosophy with an emphasis on cultural and historical contexts in order to develop critical and multi-disciplinary analytical skills. For spring 2017, the course will explore such interrelated issues as: 1) learning how to live in this world, 2) the search for meaning and significance, and 3) love as a source of fulfillment and vulnerability. Course assignments link these skills to students’ major, program, or professional goals. Recommended for junior and senior students.

HONR 294/494 SEMINARS:

HONR 294/494-001 Feminist Philosophy – Professor Ana Diaz

3 cr. This course will explore various types of feminist philosophy, including its critique of Western philosophy, theories of human nature, and its contributions to ethics, social, and political philosophy. Students will approach these topics from a philosophical perspective, paying close attention to both normative and conceptual issues. The aim of this course is to acquaint students with some key questions and debates in feminist theory and to introduce some of the frameworks and concepts philosophers deploy to understand the nature of female oppression.

HONR 294/494-003 The Environmental Vision – Professor Bernard Quetchenbach

3 cr. Examines how we understand and represent the relationship between “self” and “environment” through American art, writing, and film. The course begins with a consideration of how visual culture in early American life shaped attitudes toward geography and landscape that persist in various forms today. After a brief detour through the history of oil in America, we will turn our attention to 20th century writers who challenge how we think about “nature” and our place on the earth.

HSTR 417 Scientific Revolution – Professor Joseph Bryan

3 cr. In this course, students will be introduced to the content of Early Modern European scientific thought (“natural philosophy”) and the craft of historical inquiry. Students will learn that the scientific “heroes” of the past were men (and women!) deeply embedded in religious conflict, social tensions, and political factions that made the pursuit of science controversial and collusive.

HONR 290/490 Internships (1-3 credits)

Provides an opportunity for students to engage in field experience not offered in other courses. Contains a research component to be developed in conjunction with supervising faculty member.

HONR 298/498 Independent Study (1-3 credits)

Provides an opportunity to receive credit for individualized or special experimental learning opportunities (including a senior thesis) at an upper-division level and to count up to 3 credits towards the University Honors Program’s 21-credit requirement for Honors Scholar designation.

HONR 499 Hunger and Food Security – Professor Virginia Mermel

3cr. Builds on the food insecurity work completed by students who took this course in prior years. Students will explore and implement strategies to improve the emergency food distribution system, reduce food waste, and build a food safety-net that will increase food availability to low-income people in the short-term as well as build an emergency food reserve that will benefit all Billings area residents in the long-term.