Spotlight on Fall 2023 Honors Course Offerings

As you plan or adjust your schedule, take a look at the interesting courses below (some of them being offered in the Honors College for the first time!). See the Schedule of Classes for more details and the list of honors courses currently planned for the entire year. And don’t forget the HC 409 options for cultural ambassadorship and civic engagement!

 

 

HC 299  Comic Con Portland: Science Fiction as Mirror

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19733        Section 101         SEM       Pre-trip meeting Friday 9/22/23, all-day field trip Saturday 9/23/23, post-trip meeting Tuesday 9/26/23          

Instructor(s): Joseph Orosco & Diana Rohlman & Randall Milstein

This class will explore modern controversies, social conflicts, and ethical dilemmas through the lens of science fiction, culminating in a one-day field trip on Saturday, September 23, 2023, to the Rose City Comic-Con in Portland. Pre-trip meeting Friday 9/22/23. All-day field trip Saturday 9/23/23. Post-trip meeting Tuesday 9/26/23. Not for incoming students. TO REGISTER: follow instructions in course description document at https://honors.oregonstate.edu/class-schedule. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Seeing Climate Change in Oregon

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 17723        Section 102         SEM       Pre-trip meeting Tuesday September 19, 3-day field trip September 20-22, Post-trip meeting Monday September 25   

Instructor(s): Philip Mote  

As recently as 10 years ago, most of the impacts of climate change were still ambiguous. Now, though, hardly a season passes without new extremes: heat waves, floods, droughts, coastal erosion, ecological impacts, and social disruption. This course combines academic understanding through reading, discussion, and analysis, with experiential learning in the form of a three-day road trip (with 2 nights of camping) around western Oregon.  Participants will synthesize data, visible evidence, and human experiences, as they visit locations affected by the devastating fires of September 2020, coastal communities coping with erosion and inundation, agricultural and urban communities affected by the deadly summer 2021 heat wave, a municipal water utility planning for changes in water supply and demand, and a tribal community coping with cultural dimensions of environmental change. Pre-trip meeting Tuesday September 19, 3-day field trip September 20-22, post-trip meeting Monday September 25. Not for incoming students. TO REGISTER: follow instructions in course description document at https://honors.oregonstate.edu/class-schedule. Course Fee: $125. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia Need help paying the course fee? Apply for the HC Curriculum Access Scholarship https://honors.oregonstate.edu/webform/honors-college-curriculum-access-scholarship

 

 

HC 407  Exploring the Concept of Belonging

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19762        Section 103         SEM       WRFM 1000 - 1450

Meets 9/20/23 - 9/25/23 only    

Instructor(s): LeeAnn Baker  

How do you achieve belonging when starting fresh in a new place? In this course, we will research and reflect on the history of this place and explore the natural areas within Benton County to build our concept of belonging to this place. Students will be asked to explore their values, their interests, and their sense of adventure as we research the history and reflect on how various connections have shaped our current environment while trying local activities. This course will take place prior to the start of fall term and is ideal for individuals new or unfamiliar with Benton County. Participants will be interacting with various natural areas via biking, hiking, and paddling.  Meets 9/20/23 - 9/25/23 only, during the pre-term extension period. Not for incoming students. TO REGISTER: follow instructions in course description document at https://honors.oregonstate.edu/class-schedule. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Sport Psychology: A Critical Analysis of Ted Lasso

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19753        Section 104         SEM       All meetings are 1000 - 1350

Meets only on 9/14, 9/18, 9/20, 9/22, and 9/26.

Instructor(s): William Massey  

In this class, students will watch and critically analysis the Apple+ TV series Ted Lasso. Along with the show, we will cover contemporary readings in sport psychology. Topics will include positive psychology, group dynamics and team cohesion, performance under stress, sport and mental health, and coaching philosophies. Meets in pre-term extension period, only on 9/14, 9/18, 9/20, 9/22, and 9/26. Not for incoming students. TO REGISTER: follow instructions in course description document at https://honors.oregonstate.edu/class-schedule. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia 

 

 

CS 162H  Introduction to Computer Science II

4 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19716        Section 401         ONLN

Instructor(s): Tim Alcon  

Provides an overview of the fundamental concepts of computer science. Studies basic data structures, computer programming techniques and application of software engineering principles. Introduces analysis of programs. This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins. PREREQS: CS 161/161H, EECS 161, or ENGR 103/103H RESTRICTIONS: For Computer Science Majors only.   Satisfies: HC Elective

 

 

 

FW 345H  Global Change Biology

3 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19654        Section 401         ONLN   

Instructor(s): Lisa Ellsworth  

Global Change Biology is the study of the impact of climate change on natural systems and actions to mitigate (slow) or adapt to climate change. Global climate change is having dramatic effects on natural resources including fish and wildlife populations and their habitats. Students will gain an understanding of the role that natural ecosystems (oceans, forests, wetlands, grasslands etc.) play in regulating the climate; how land use affects the earth’s climate; how climate change will affect fish, wildlife and their habitats; and the role that managers and researchers can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins. Recommended prereqs: Introductory biology and ecology courses such as BI 370.  Satisfies: HC BaccCore - Contemporary Global Issues

 

 

PAC 325H   Wilderness First Aid       

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 20151        Section 002         ACT        W 1400 - 1550

Required all-day "Wild Day" Saturday 11/4/23    

Instructor(s): Sheila Evans  

Crunch! Uhg… Ouch! Do you recreate with accident-prone friends or family? Do you spend any time playing the outdoors? Knowing the fundamentals of emergency care in non-urban environments are useful skills. Backcountry emphasis with long-term care and evacuation complications makes this course unique. There will be a number of outdoor sessions so come prepared with “grubby” clothes that will get dirty or fake-bloody. The course has two components: knowledge as evidenced by performance on written exams and quizzes and practical skills as demonstrated throughout the course and on the final exam.

This course covers the fundamentals of emergency care in a non-urban environment, including physiology, injury assessment, short term care, anatomy, and small group rescues. While much of the material appears to be standard emergency care information, the backcountry emphasis with long-term care and evacuation complications makes this course unique.  Required all-day "Wild Day" Saturday 11/4/23.  Course Fee: $197. Satisfies: HC BaccCore - Fitness

 

 

WR 227HZ  Technical Writing            

4 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19765        Section 400         ONLN   

Instructor(s): Emily Elbom  

Introduces students to producing instructive, informative, and persuasive technical/professional documents aimed at well-defined and achievable outcomes. Focuses on presenting information using rhetorically appropriate style, design, vocabulary, structure, and visuals. Gathers, reads, and analyzes information and learns a variety of strategies for producing accessible, usable, reader-centered deliverable documents that are clear, concise, and ethical. This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins. PREREQS: WR 121/121H or WR 121Z/121HZ    Satisfies: HC BaccCore - Writing II

 

 

HC 299  Designing Sustainable Behaviors              

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 17722        Section 004         SEM       T 1500 - 1550    

Instructor(s): Deann Garcia  

To move societies toward a sustainable future, behavior changes must happen at both the institutional and individual level. This course examines the leverage points that can be used to trigger desired changes in behavior through personal values alignment, in order to design effective communication action plans. Using design thinking, behavior-centered and persuasive design, and the social sciences, this course examines strategies for identifying resistance and motivators that cause people to perform desired sustainable behaviors. This project-based class will walk students through inspiring frameworks for design to build marketing and communication campaigns which will be pitched back to the class for feedback, and, ultimately, the selection of a winning integrated campaign. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 299  Career Decision Making

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19659        Section 005         SEM       TR 1200 - 1250

Instructor(s): LeeAnn Baker  

This course is designed to support you in identifying the ways in which you want to make a difference in the world considering your unique gifts. This exploration should be a fun and exciting process that provides you with opportunities to be challenged and grow. You will start identifying opportunities and possibilities that will move you closer to achieving your dreams. In this class, you will be expected to reflect on your strengths and interests to identify future goals worth pursuing. You will examine how your personal and professional identities are connected to larger communities and practice communicating your needs and talents with both classmates and professionals. Throughout this course, you will begin building the tools to work toward a life that matches your vision of success in personal, educational, and career spheres.  Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Writing About Music

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 14016        Section 001         SEM       MW 1300 - 1350             

Instructor(s): Kimary Fick  

Can music hold meaning? How do you convey music’s power through words? What makes performances good or bad? In this course, students will explore ways to communicate about music meaningfully to an audience through a variety of genres (analysis, critique, VLOG) and analytical approaches used in writing about music. For example, students will explore approaches to uncovering meaning in music, examine the language of music criticism of live concerts and various media, and trace the reception of specific musical works to understanding shifting values through music criticism. This course will examine diverse styles of music—from classical to popular to jazz—as directed by the students’ interests. You do not have to have previous musical training to be successful in this course.  Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Creative Writing in Nature

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 17712        Section 005         SEM       F 900 - 950

Two required all-day field trips: 10/21/23 and 11/18/23 

Instructor(s): Jeff Fearnside  

Class participants explore nature—both around them, in Oregon’s beautiful natural environment, and within them, through thoughts, associations, and memories—as a catalyst for writing original works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Short readings in all three genres provide context for writing exercises based on specific prompts, a nature journal, and two longer creative projects. Special emphasis is on experiential opportunities found in various field trips both locally and further away, including student-led interactions with resident naturalists and other expert guides. Two required all-day field trips: 10/21/23 and 11/4/23.  Course Fee: $33. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Body Horror

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19665        Section 010         SEM       F 1000 - 1150    

Instructor(s): Sam Logan  

Prepare to enter the soupy-goopy, gushy-slushy, grimy-slimy world of body horror. Body horror is a subgenre that involves the transformation, degradation, destruction, manipulation, hostile takeover, or attack from creepy-crawlies of the human body. Body horror is gross and disgusting, consider yourself warned. Sounds fun, right?! It is! Or at least, it can be. Body horror can be campy or a means to explore deeper themes such as identity, gender, disability, technology, biology, and bodily autonomy. This course holds that all bodies are valued and will be mindful to discuss ableist tropes in the genre. This course will take a historical perspective to body horror through film focusing on classics of the genre from its origins (Frankenstein, 1931) and focusing on the 1980s (The Stuff, 1985; The Fly, 1986; Hellraiser, 1987; The Blob, 1988). This course will take a contemporary perspective through short fiction centered on underrepresented perspectives, with an emphasis on queer sources such as Bound in Flesh: An Anthology of Trans Body Horror. Students will complete two final writing projects including one individual and one group project about body horror such as an original short story, a non-fiction commentary, screenplay, zine, or related format. Students’ individual and group writing projects will be compiled into an anthology (i.e. collected works). Students will participate in the design, creation, distribution strategy, and launch event of the anthology. This course will be taught with punk pedagogy principles including a do-it-yourself ethos, anti-hierarchical structure, co-creation of knowledge, inclusive and accessible learning space, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The instructor is a white, straight, able-bodied, cis-gender man/male who does not have expertise in body horror. We will learn from each other through our shared experience with body horror course materials.  Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Community Outreach through Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Innovation

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19666        Section 011         SEM       T 1000 - 1150    

Instructor(s): Siew Sun Wong & Candace Russo

This is an experiential learning course that is designed to grow your creativity and kindness in the humanities.  Imagine yourself learning by doing -- working harmoniously, creatively and effectively in a cross-disciplinary team of students to serve the community.  You develop skills to co-design, investigate, improve, and implement innovative solutions that add value to one of these community outreach programs:

1) Mobile Teaching Kitchen – a mobile classroom that offers cooking improvisation classes to adolescents, adults and families with children who live in transitional housing.  Improve teaching and learning, evaluate outcome, communicate impacts and needs, or prototype an off-grid mobile classroom.

2) Hope Grows Here – a six-month mentoring program for cancer survivors to live a healthy lifestyle through gardening and nutrition education with support from OSU Master Gardeners and Samaritan Cancer Resource Centers. Improve teaching and learning, communicate impacts and needs, enhance partner collaborations, or design therapeutic garden activities. 

Come connect your knowledge, skills, passion, purpose and vision to community outreach in ethical, practical, meaningful, and transformative ways. There will be a required field trip that will occur during the regularly-scheduled class meeting hours.  Course Fee: $7. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Gender, Sexual Politics, and Music:  Case Studies in Musical Identity and Representation

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 14474        Section 032         SEM       M 1400 – 1550, Meets weeks 1-5 only              

Instructor(s): Kimary Fick  

This course aims to participate in the discourse on the inequity and discrimination experienced by women and members of the LBGTQ community in music. Students will examine key literature in music and gender studies that identifies theories, methodologies, and key concepts. Each weekly meeting will be devoted to applying these methods through case studies across the history of western music to today. Topics include an examination of the different cultural conditions in which women made music, the influence of women on the musical world and the surviving canon, music and identity formation, and representations of women and sexuality both on the historical stage and in contemporary popular music. Through this course students will develop a deep understanding of issues surrounding gender and music studies and form a personal viewpoint on addressing these topics as related to modern culture and society. Meets Weeks 1-5 only. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Disruptive Innovation

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 14189        Section 034         SEM       M 1400 – 1550, Meets weeks 1-5 only              

Instructor(s): Dave King  

Creativity and innovation are the foundation of virtually all new and successful ideas. However, truly disruptive innovations—ideas that alter the status quo and take us in a new direction—require some understanding of what is disruptive (and what is not) and how to harness it. Working from the basic disruptive innovation concepts developed by Clayton Christensen of the Harvard Business School, this seminar takes a hands-on approach to developing ideas that will actually change things. This will be a flipped class in which most of the new information is available for review in advance of the class session as articles and videos available online. Class time will include primarily discussion and learner interaction. Class sessions 4 and 5 will focus on preparing for and presenting your proposed disruptive innovation. Meets weeks 1-5 only. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  How to Be Less Wrong: a Course in Common Misconceptions      

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19676        Section 401         ONLN   

Instructor(s): Andrew Olstad  

Help make the world a little better by checking your own misconceptions! Each week we will choose a different area of knowledge (cooking, literature, science, religion, history, and more) and investigate common misconceptions.  We will draw from several sources, including the Wikipedia list but also from sources like Lies My Teacher Told Me or even The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.  Students will have the opportunity to make predictions, do their own myth-busting, and survey friends to find out how common a mistaken belief is.  Students should come to this class ready to joyfully delve into something we thought we knew- and be willing to learn that what we know ain’t so! This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Philosophy and Happiness

2 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19677        Section 402         ONLN   

Instructor(s): Marta Kunecka  

In this course we will immerse in the wisdom of some of the greatest philosophers, and search for answers which can become guidelines for life. By closely examining the thought of a few chosen Western and Eastern thinkers as well as analysis of studies emerging from the field of positive psychology, we will explore and brainstorm different ideas of happiness in order to find its essence. This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins. Graded: P/N. Satisfies: HC Colloquia

 

 

HC 407  Science, Ethics and Star Trek      

1 HC Credit(s)     CRN: 19678        Section 403         ONLN   

Instructor(s): Diana Rohlman  

“What you're doing isn't self-defense. It's the exploitation of another species for your own benefit. My people decided a long time ago that that was unacceptable, even in the name of scientific progress.” Captain Kathryn Janeway, Starfleet.

To this day, while we have the ability to clone animals (and therefore humans), the ethical and moral ramifications have tempered many scientific advances. The fictional universe of Star Trek often explores the nexus of advanced technologies and the resultant ethical considerations. This class will use episodes from the Star Trek universe, paired with real-life case studies to delve into the seen and unforeseen consequences of science and medicine. We will go where few have gone before, using Star Trek as a lens to understand the role of ethics in biological and clinical research. Engage! This is an Ecampus course. Tuition rates for Ecampus courses are different than on-campus courses and can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/tuition. Registration is limited to Ecampus and Cascades honors students during Phase 1 of registration, then will be opened to Corvallis honors students when Phase 2 begins.  Satisfies: HC Colloquia