Courses Offered Spring 2015
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 spring 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 212-001 Introduction to Intercultural Communication – Professor Melinda Tilton
3 cr. Examines communicative encounters among people of different cultural, ethnic, and minority groups. Local, national, and global in scope, the course also analyzes identity, verbal and nonverbal communication, popular culture, intercultural relationships, and multicultural communication in applied settings. Practical guidelines for enhancing intercultural interactions will be offered while noting the layers of complexity in communicating across cultural boundaries.
HSTA 200 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.
FILM 324 Writing for Stage and Screen – Professors Tami Haaland and Virginia Spragg
3 cr. Provides extensive practice in the writing of scenes, plays, and screenplays. Develops various writing skills such as convincing dialogue, believable and interesting characterization, correct pacing of plot and action, appropriate use of setting, and screenwriting techniques. Develops analytical skill through discussion of selected professional and student work.
COMX 482 Women, Media and Society – Professor Samuel Boerboom
3 cr. Provides students an opportunity to become familiar with feminist rhetorical scholarship, to be able to apply academic research to an original research project on a contemporary issue of topical importance, and to evaluate local community organizations and/or campaigns that appeal to women on the bases of ethicality and effectiveness.
LIT 294 African American Literature – Professor Thomas Nurmi
3 cr. Surveys African-American literature from the eighteenth century to the present. This course is distinctive because will be closely linked to a sister course at Ithaca College in upstate New York, taught by Dr. Derek Adams, Assistant Professor of English. The two courses will share common readings, virtual conferencing and shared lectures, online inter-collegiate discussions, and an assignment requiring students from both colleges to read and respond to a partner’s writing and research.
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.
HONR 294/494-006 Philosophy of the Mind – Professor Ana Diaz
3 cr. Introduces contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind, focusing on the following questions: what is the nature of the mind? Could an artificial device – a computer or robot – have a mind? We will think about these questions by considering futuristic computers and robots, Martians who behave like us but have an internal structure very different from ours, brains in vats, and philosophical zombies. The point will be not simply to consider bizarre cases just for the sake of it, but to see what light we can shed on our nature as beings with mental lives.
Honors Contract
By special arrangement students may negotiate an Honors Contract with a professor. This contract will suffice to make a regular class fulfill an honors requirement through advanced work as specified by the contract. Requires the Director’s approval.
If you are interested in taking other courses for Honors credits, please stop by the Honors office, McMullen Hall, Room 205 or contact David Craig at david.craig2@msubillings.edu.
