Fall 2006 Honors Seminars
HON 321A, King Arthur: History, Legend & Cinema, Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m., Film viewing required on Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., in weeks 4, 6, 10, and 13, 2 credits, International Perspectives Credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4626005
Description:
This discussion-oriented seminar, which will be paired with an Honors Arthurian Film Series, will focus on the sources for the historical and legendary King Arthur and the way in which those sources have been adapted for entertainment and propaganda in films of the 20th and 21st centuries. Readings will begin with selections from the medieval sources for the legendary and historical Arthur in modern translation and continue on to examine Mark Twain's Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court as an example of a satirical look at the legend. Films include Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Knights of the Round Table, First Knight, and Fuqua's King Arthur. By the end of the seminar, students will be able to identify types of Arthurian legend (historical chronicle, courtly romance, martial romance, satire); demonstrate knowledge of what is fact and what is fiction with regard to the legendary king; present orally, electronically, and in writing to classmates and film viewers the information on Arthurian topics that they have mastered; and wow friends with their vast knowledge of background on Arthurian cinema.
Most of class time will be devoted to discussing the readings and the 4 films, but students will occasionally prepare brief, written responses to study questions on readings. Every 2-3 weeks, we will watch a film on Tuesday night instead of having class during the day Monday and Wednesday. A group of students (3 or 4 to a group) will adopt each film, taking responsibility for introducing it orally to the viewers and producing a set of program notes to hand out at the screening that will explain key details about the film, its connection to King Arthur, and other fun facts about production. In the last two weeks of the semester, each student will give a 10-12 minute presentation on some aspect of Arthurian history, literature, film or popular culture. Students will be expected to engage critically with the texts and subject matter while learning to appreciate some familiar films in new ways.
Texts:
Comfort, W. W., trans. Chretien DeTroyes: Arthurian Romances (London: Everyman's Library, 1914). Available online at http://omacl.org/Lancelot/.
Littleton, C. Scott, and Linda A. Malcor. From Scythia to Camelot: A Radical Reassessment of the Legends of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holly Grail (New York: Garland, 1994), selections in .pdf (approx. 40 pgs).
Malory, Thomas. Le Morte DArthur. Ed. Janet Cowen. 2 vols. (Harmonsdworth, UK: Penguin, 1969), selections.
Twain, Mark. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (any edition).
White, Richard, ed. King Arthur in Legend and History (London: Dent, 1997), selections in .pdf from saints' lives, Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, Lawman's Brut, and other early commentators (approx 40 pgs).
Other resources, particularly those on Arthurian cinema, will be placed on reserve or made available in .pdf for students' use in their final projects and program notes.
Instructor:
Gloria Betcher, Adjunct Assistant Professor of English, has taught courses on Arthurian romance and legend. She also has an abiding interest in interdisciplinary medieval studies, especially the
intersections of art and literature, and is a devotee of Arthurian cinema, willing to sit through even a bad King Arthur flick.
HON 321B, Cracking The Code of Life: Biology in the Information Age, Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4627005
Description:
Students will engage in round-table discussions on current applications of computational biology and future implications. The seminar will be based around genomics, which is the large-scale investigation of the structure and function of information encoded by DNA within an organism. Examples of covered topics include: the Human Genome Project, agronomic crop improvement, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), personalized medicine, and biological intellectual property (IP). Although these areas will be primarily presented from the interdisciplinary interface between biology and computer science, discussions and guest speakers will also cover the engineering, liberal arts, and business perspectives as necessary.
Texts:
I reserve the right to change these readings as new material continually comes out in this field and, in fact, the previous seminar focused on recent popular scientific literature and online resources. For example, the chimpanzee genome sequence and its medical implications were discussed soon after it was published in a special issue of Nature. We also had mini-projects such as a mock NSF genome funding panel that required minor internet research and this time I will try and pull in collaborators at the Washington University in St. Louis who actually do large-scale genome sequencing via video conferencing. The following books will primarily be used as reference material or an introduction to the topics. A good start for the start of the semester is the human genome project and in particular Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley. Although some chapters aren't ideal, for the most part this is a very accessible introduction text. For crop improvement and genetically modified organisms, I'd like to tie into the bioethics resources on campus for a guest lecture and utilize their resources where possible. There is an additional opportunity with an existing series of demonstrations designed for genomics outreach at the Schnable lab at ISU. This is more of a "hands on" way to explain how genetic variation affects the quality and nutritional characteristics of foods such as different types of sweet corn and differences between white and yellow cornmeal. Additional resources, which will be utilized to either provide material for human health applications or explain the computational aspects, will be obtained using Digitial Code of Life: How Bioinformatics is Revolutionizing Science, Medicine, and Business by Glyn Moody, Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future by DeSalle and Yudell, and Jacob's Ladder by Henry Gee to name only a few potential sources. All of the above references are available through the ISU library and were placed on reserve the last time this seminar was offered.
Instructor:
Scott Emrich, a graduate of Loyola College's Honors Program, is a Ph.D. candidate in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at Iowa State and holds a B.S. in Biology and Computer Science from Loyola. His research interests lie directly on the interdisciplinary boundaries of computational biology with a focus on useful parallel algorithmic solutions to large genomics problems, and he has significant experience in both theoretical molecular evolution and applied bioinformatics.
HON 321D, Contemporary Arabic Culture, Wednesday, 2:10 - 3:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4629005
Description:
The seminar will cover several topics in Arabic culture (media, music, literature). Students will have a better understanding of the Arab world while taking into consideration recent political issues. Each class time will be devoted to a particular issue (newspapers, religious aspects, history, etc.). Students will read Arabic newspapers in English and compare political issues and will examine current, historical and religious issues from the Arab perspective.
Texts:
Amin Maalout; Crusades through Arab Eyes (ISBN: 0805208984) and selected readings online.
Instructor:
Jean-Pierre Taoutel was born in Syria and grew up in Lebanon before moving to France. French and Arabic are his native languages. He has been teaching at ISU since 1999 as a Lecturer of French and an instructor of Arabic.
HON 321E, Creative Imagery, Manipulating the Medium and the Message, Tuesday, 11:00 a.m - 12:20 p.m., 1 credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. ___________
Description:
The creative and effective use of still images in the communication process will be explored in detail. The students will observe and reflect on techniques others have used in mainstream media. They will judge the success of some of those efforts (ex. how Ken Burns creates entire television series filled with characters that only exist, visually, as still photos). The students will also take part in the process. They will receive Photoshop training and learn how to use Powerpoint as a dynamic image sequencer. They will be required to create a minimum of two projects that will be presented and critiqued in class by both the instructor and their classmates. A short paper on the ethics of image manipulation and usage will also be required. At least one class will involve a trip to an actual facility that does this kind of work professionally. All students should leave this seminar with better visual communication and presentation skills and a better understanding of the visual communication process.
Texts:
Photoshop CS Bible, McClelland, Wiley Publishing Inc., ISBN:0-7645-4178-1
Instructor:
Rich Beachler has a BA in Advertising Design from Iowa State University. He has worked at Iowa State University as a Graphic Designer and Computer Graphics Specialist for 27 years. Rich gives Photoshop, Communications Projects, and Web graphics workshops to faculty and staff, previously through the Instructional Technology Center, and currently through CELT. He teaches night classes for the William Penn College for Working Adults in Jazz History and Computer Applications. He also has 30 years experience as a private music instructor.
HON 321G, Reduce, Recycle and Redesign - The Basics of Campus Sustainability Tuesday, 1:10 - 2:00 p.m., 1 credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4632005
Description:
A discussion of sustainability. What is it? How does it affect college campuses? What is ISU doing with regard to sustainability? What resources does ISU have regarding sustainability?
Objectives
Understand the tri-partite definition of sustainability.
Basic understanding of how to conduct sustainability analyses and similar tools such as life cycle analysis.
Procedures
Class time will be used to discuss readings, learn how to use analysis techniques and to listen to occasional guest speakers.
Texts:
A complete reading list has not been compiled at this time. As this is only a one credit class, it is somewhat unlikely that whole books will be assigned. For purposes of this proposal, however, we would list the following books as covering the themes that our reading list will cover.
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
Ecodemia: Campus Environmental Stewardship at the Turn of the 21st Century: Lessons in Smart Management from Administrators, Staff, and Students by Julia Keniry of the National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D. C.
Greening the Ivory Tower: Improving the Environmental Track Record of Universities, Colleges and Other Institutions by Sarah Hammond Creighton.
Leadership & Sustainability: System Thinkers in Action by Michael Fullan
The Campus and Environmental Responsibility by David Eagan (Editor) and David Orr (Editor)
The Triple Bottom Line, Does It All Add Up?: Assessing the Sustainability of Business and CSR by Adrian Henriques (Editor), Julie Richardson (Editor)
Triple Bottom Line Risk Management: Enhancing Profit, Environmental Performance, and Community Benefits by Adrian R. Bowden, Malcolm R. Lane, Julia H. Marti
Instructors:
Frank Montabon is a member of the Steering Committee for the Iowa State University Council on Sustainability. He has a Ph.D. in Operations Management from Michigan State University. His research focuses on environmental management issues, such as ISO 14000, environmental management systems and environmental performance measurement. He currently teaches a variety of supply chain management courses for the Logistics, Operations and Management Information Systems department in the College of Business.
Colleen Rogers is a member of the Steering Committee for the Iowa State University Council on Sustainability. She holds a M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Wales and conducted her master's thesis research on campus sustainability. As part of her role with the Council on Sustainability, she prepares and facilitates campus sustainability presentations and discussions to student, staff and faculty groups at Iowa State. She is employed full-time by the College of Agriculture Development Office as an event planner and communications specialist.
HON 321H, Incunabula to PDFs; What is the Future of Libraries?, Tuesday, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4633005
Description:
Utilizing the rare and unique collections housed by the Special Collections Department in the Iowa State University Library, students will explore and discuss the various issues relating to the preservation and access of primary sources. We will specifically look at the Department's rare book collection, including incunabula (published between 1475 and 1501); the artifact collection, documenting the history of ISU; the photograph collection which numbers over 1 million images; manuscript collections, focusing on the topic of international agriculture through letters and photographs; and a collection of motion picture films created by ISU. How researchers use this material will be discussed, and finally, the class will look at the impact of the digital revolution. What issues does digitizing raise for these materials, in terms of their access, care of the physical object, copyright, reference use, and technological needs of the institution? Class time will be dedicated to presentations based on the topic, care and handling of the objects, and class discussion related to the presentation and readings.
Texts:
Readings and other handouts will be distributed in class.
Instructor:
Tanya Zanish-Belcher is currently an Associate Professor and Head of the Special Collections Department and the University Archives at the Iowa State University Library. Her research focuses on the role of oral history in documenting women in science and engineering, the development of women's archives, and special collections and archives management issues.
HON 321J, Different Selves: Individual Identity and Its Role In Community, Monday, 2:10 - 4:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4634005
Description:
This course will focus on students' exploration of their self-identities and how those notions of self tie to their responsibilities to the multiple communities of which they are a part (where they live, family, friends, student organizations, the Honors Program, etc.)
The following questions will be explored:
- Who am I and what things are important to me?
- What responsibility do I have to those around me?
- How do I connect with others to more fully understand myself?
- What impact do my individual actions and choices have on others?
Texts:
Socrates' Way by Ronald Gross
Turning to One Another by Margaret J. Wheatly
Additional articles, including items brought in by students will be used, as well.
Instructors:
Michelle Boettcher is the Martin Hall Director and has worked with honors students directly for the past two years. Prior to that, she worked with them less directly as the supervisor for the Graduate Hall Directors in the Barton and Lyon communities for two years. She has presented at Honors training activities.
Cathy Compton will be a junior at ISU and a Community Advisor, in addition to being a member of the Honors Program. She will be working with the expanded Honors community in Martin Hall in the 2006-2007 academic year and has agreed to help with this course.
HON 321L, Christianity and Science, Thursday, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4636005
Description:
Religion and science are two of the greatest forces that influence mankind. They are generally interested in different aspects of reality. Science addresses 'how' questions while religion answers 'why' questions. However an area of common interest is the origin and history of life.
This seminar will explore the interaction and boundaries between science and theology in this area of common interest. Topics and questions addressed included:
- Are Christianity and science at war?
- Introduction to the nature and philosophy of science and the interaction with theology.
- History of life on earth, the view from science.
- Are science and the Bible in conflict? The case of young earth creationism.
- What does science have to say about the existence of God?
- Does God have a place in science? The case of intelligent design.
- Is Christianity compatible with evolution?
We will explore these topics through the writings of well known scientists and theologians with expertise in these areas. Class time will generally be spent discussing weekly reading assignments.
The learning objectives for the seminar are: 1) to increase student understanding of the nature and practice of science, 2) to increase student understanding of different views about the interaction of science and theology, 3) to increase student understanding about boundaries between science and world views with interests in common with science, and 4) to develop critical thinking skills.
Textbooks: (Selected Chapters)
1. Miller, K. R., Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, HarperCollins, New York, 1999.
Ken Miller is a Professor of Biology at Brown University. He is an outstanding teacher and coauthor of high school and college biology textbooks. One of his principal interests is public understanding of evolution. He is a leading defender of evolution and he has written a number of articles in addition to this book that defend the integrity of evolution. He believes that evolution is fully compatible with his Christian faith.
2. McGrath, A. E., Science and Religion: An Introduction, Blackwell, Malden, MA, 1999.
Alister McGrath is professor of historical theology at Oxford University, director of the John Templeton Oxford Seminars on Christianity and Science and principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He holds doctorates from Oxford University in molecular biophysics (Doctor of Philosophy) as well as historical and systematic theology (Doctor of Divinity). He is a prolific author who has written many books on theology and the relationship between theology and science. He has recently completed a three volume series on this topic entitled: A Scientific Theology.
Handouts:
1. Behe, M. J., Chapter 19 - Irreducible Complexity: Obstacle to Darwinian Evolution, in Debating Design: From Darwin to DNA, Dembski, W.A. and Ruse, M., eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004.
2. Nelson, P. and Reynolds, J.M., Chapter 1 - Young Earth Creationism, in Three Views on Creation and Evolution, Moreland, J.P. and Reynolds, J.M., eds., Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1999.
3. Polkinghorne, J., Chapter 1 - The Area of Interaction, in Science and Theology: An Introduction, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 1998.
4. Polkinghorne, J, Chapter 1 - Theology in the University, in Faith Science and Understanding, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2000.
Video:
1. The Earth Has a History?. Video produced by the Geological Society of America that uses a tour of the Flatirons area of the Rocky Mountain Front Range near Bolder, Colorado to demonstrate simple principles that form the basis for understanding geologic time.
Instructor:
Thomas S. Ingebritsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology. He received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Indiana University in 1979. He did bench type research for over 20 years primarily in the area of signal transduction. He is currently Director of the LAS Center for On-Line Learning. His current research/creative area is Internet-based instruction. As a scientist and a Christian, Dr. Ingebritsen has a strong interest in this seminar topic.
HON 321M, DaVinci and Friends: Decoding Italian Renaissance Art, Tuesday, 4:10 - 5:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4640005
Description:
In this seminar we view, discuss, and debate paintings by artists from the 12 to the 16th centuries. Our selection of art will be determined by what's appealing and fun to look at. We begin in 1302 with Giotto, who re-invigorated European art with his tactile values. We discover Massacio, Filippo Lippi, Ghirlandaio, della Francesca, Botticelli, and artists who presaged the High Renaissance. We exalt in the company of singular geniuses such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. We retrace the footsteps of their followers in the art of Del Sarto, Pontormo, Dossi, and Veronese. We restructure our intellects around great architects such as Brunelleschi, Giotto, and Michelangelo. And we become putty in the hands of sculptors the likes of Donatello, Verrocchio, and Michelangelo. Our journey ends in 1606 with the stark realism of Caravaggio.
Texts:
All reading assignments in this seminar will be drawn from one or more Internet sites on art history provided on the instructor's seminar webpage and a recent translation of Vasari's Lives of the Artists.
Instructor:
Dale Chimenti is an engineer with a highly developed appreciation for beautiful paintings. As a scientist, he has published over 75 archival journal articles, holds two patents, and serves as editor for several distinguished technical publications - none of which qualifies him in the least to lead this seminar.
HON 321N, Developing Your Emotional Intelligence: EI Over IQ?, Thursday, 3:10-5:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4645005
Description:
Define and develop abilities to use emotional intelligence. Think critically about frameworks of emotional intelligence.
Texts:
Bradberry T, Greaves J (2005) The Emotional Intelligence Quickbook. Fireside, New York, NY. ISBN 0-7432-7326-5.
Instructor:
Hendrich taught EI in the CFCS freshman learning community from 2000-2002, and an Honors seminar on EI F 2002, F 2004 and F 2005. Students in the CFCS learning community in Fall 2000 reported statistically significant increases in their self-assessed confidence in emotional intelligence skills as they participated in the course, suggesting that the proposed course may help students to gain useful insights into EI. Through a Miller Faculty Fellowship in 1999-2000, she has focused on learning about interpersonal skill development in college students in attempting to enhance cooperative learning environments in the classroom. Hendrich is Professor of Food Science & Human Nutrition, an ISU faculty member for 19 years.
HON 321Q, Foods For Space Exploration, Thursday, 11:00 - 11:50 a.m., 1 credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 4648005
Description:
Students will discuss issues and problems related to development of food systems for space. Students will be introduced to the history of foods in space, current space food systems, nutritional requirements for space travel, plant production in space, food processing techniques, packaging, waste management, and NASA's plans for future space exploration.
Texts:
Lane, H.W., Sauer, R.L., and Feeback, D.L., Eds. 2002. Isolation-NASA Experiments in closed-Environment Living. Vol. 104, Science and Technology Series, American Astronautical Society, San Diego, CA.
Lane, H. and Schoeller, D., Ed. 2000. Nutrition in Spaceflight and Weightless Models. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
Websites:
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/ftcsc/ NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center, ISU
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/e-set Extension-Science, Engineering and Technology, ISU
http://spacelink.nasa.gov/index.html
http://www.spacebio.net/
http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/
http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov
http://advlifesupport.jsc.nasa.gov/
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/
http://space.com
http://www.discovery.com/stories/science/iss/iss.html
Instructor:
Lester Wilson is a Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Wilson served as a NASA Faculty Fellow, Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas. 2003-2005 and as an Affiliate Faculty Member to NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center. Wilson taught this course with Dr. Cheryll Reitmeier Spring 2005 and is a past member of the College of Agriculture Honors Committee, Honors student mentor, academic Adviser, and Research Adviser. Wilson is an Honors Program Graduate from Oregon State University.
HON 321R, Introduction to Human-Computer-Interaction,Wednesday, 5:10-6:50 p.m., 1 credits, 1st Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 5145010 (Sect. 2)
Description:
Human-computer-interaction (HCI), the study of the relationship
between humans and increasingly powerful, portable, interconnected
and ubiquitous computers in becoming one of the most dynamic and
significant fields of technical investigation. With its new HCI
initiative, ISU has become a center for this emerging new field -
many researchers across traditional boundaries and disciplines
collaborate on exciting new projects.
This seminar will offer a cross-section of this ongoing interdisciplinary research from nine HCI faculty members. The topics cross art and science and range from emerging new technologies to their potential impact on society. During the seminar, the students have the opportunity to interact directly with the researchers and gain unique insights in the new field. The sections are designed not as traditional lectures but specifically to allow close interaction and discussion with the students.
Texts:
Shneiderman.B.(2000). Universal usability: Pushing Human-computer interaction research to empower every citizen. Communications of the ACM 43.5 (May.200), 84-91.
http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ben/p84-shneiderman-May2000CACMf.pdf
Tamas Vicsek, 'Complexity: The Bigger Picture', Nature. Vol. 418, 11 July 2002. p. 131.
In this short essay. Vicsek describes how computer simulation fits into the scientific enterprise. The goal is to 'capture the principal laws behind the exciting variety of new phenomena that become apparent when the many units of a complex xyxtem interact.'
http://www.econ.iastate.edu/tesfatsi/complexity_Vicsek.pdf (1 page)
Leigh Tesfatsion, 'Agent-Based Computational Economics: Modeling Economics as Complex Adaptive Systems', Information Sciencees, volume 149 (2003), 263-269.
http://www.econ.iastate.edu/tesfatsi/aceIS.pdf (7 pages)
Reading (all very short!):
Honavar, V. Overview of Artificial Intelligence: http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~cs572/handout1.pdf
Mitchell, T. Does Machine Learning Really Work?: http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~cs573x/tom.pdf
Nilsson, N. Decision Trees http://ai.stanford.edu/people/nilsson/MLDraftBook/ch6-ml.pdf
Honavar, V. McCulloch-Pitts Neuron: http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~cs474/spring00/Notes/Ch2/ch2/pdf
Honavar, V. Perceptron Larning Lagorithm: http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~cs474/spring00/Notes/Ch3/ch3.pdf
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/faculty/katchab/pubs/digra2005_neomancer.pdf
http://isgwww.cs.uni-magdeburg.de/graphik/pub/files/Masuch_2002_T3D.pdf
Stoytchev. a., Behavior-Grounded Represtation of Tool Affordances.
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/~saho/papers/ICRA_2005/
See also: http://www.cs.iastate.edu/~alex/classes/2005_Fall_610as/
Klabach, James. 'Understanding Innovation.' Razorfish Reports, 045 (January 2001). Available online at: http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kalbach/understanding_innovation.pdf
Introduction to haptics: http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/~charding/intro_to_haptics.pdf
Instructors:
Jim Oliver's research interests span a spectrum of human computer interaction technologies, encompassing computer graphics, geometric modeling, virtual reality, and collaborative networks for applications in product development and complex system operation. Jim Oliver, as the Director of the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) and the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Human Computer Interaction *(HCI) at Iowa State University. Dr. Oliver has worked in several industry positions focused on applications of computer graphics and virtual reality. Dr. Oliver received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1986.
Dr. Derrick Parkhurst runs the Human and Computer vision Laboratory and investigates how the human visual system receives, selects and processes information in real-world and virtual environments. His research integrates knowledge from the fields of Psychology, Human Computer Interaction and Computer Science. He uses this knowledge to innovate intelligent human computer interfaces and biologically inspired technologies.
Leigh Tesfatsion—ë current research focuses on agent-based
computational economics (ACE), the computational study of economics
processes modeled as dynamic systems of interacting agents. She has
developed ACE frameworks for exploring the impact of alternative
market designs on market power and market efficiency in both
restructured electricity markets and labor markets. Leigh received
the Ph.D. degree in economics, with a minor in mathematics, from the
University of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1975. She is currently a
Professor of Economics at Iowa State University, with a courtesy
appointment as Professor of Mathematics.
Vasant Honavar directs the Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory and Center for Computational Intelligence, Learning, and Discover (www.cild.iastate.edu). His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Semantic Seb. Intelligent Human-Computer Interaction, Information Integration, Knowledge Representation, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Intelligent Agents and Multi-agent Systems. Honavar has published two books and over 150 refereed research articles and has developed and taught graduate and undergraduate courses on these topics. Additional information can be found at www.cs.iastate.edu/~honavar/
Steven Herrnstadt is the Associate Chair of Art and Design. He is interested in the interaction of art andn science, scientific and creative visualization, and computer graphics (animation, virtual reality). He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa in 1980 and teaches a course in Computer Game Development and Design in Fall (ArtIS409x/509x)
Eliot Winer has a background in design methodology and optimization. His research deals with the use of technology to apply fundamental engineering design and optimization principles to solve problems in diverse fields. Eliot Winer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a faculty member of the Human Computer Interaction Initiative. He received a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo in 1999 and was Associate Director of the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation prior to coming to Iowa State.
Alex Stoytchev is a djunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University. He is also affiliated with the HCI initiative and the Virtual Reality Applications Center. Alex Stoytchev's research interests are in the areas of autonomous robotics, developmental robotics, artificial intelligence, and computational perception. He is interested in building computational models of intelligent behaviors and applying them to robots (both simulated and real robots). Alex is especially interested in building computational models of autonomous tool use. In Fall, Alex teaches a graduate class in Developmental Robotics.
Daniela Dimitrova received her Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. She teaches Multimedia Production and Communication Technology and Society courses in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University. Dr. Dimitrova's research interests focus on political communication, Internet adoption, and e-government issues. Dr. Dimitrova's research has been published in journals such as Gazette, Journalism Studies, Medienjournal, and Telecommunications Policy.
Chris Harding has a background in geoscience and computer science. His research deals with multi-sensory virtual environments that use touch and sound in addition to 3D stereo vision. He is interested in creating novel ways to better interact with complex multi-dimensional data-sets, especially data about subsurface geology. He mainly teaches geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D scientific visualization. Chris is assistant professor in the department of geological and atmospheric sciences, has a courtesy appointment in Computer Science and is a member of the Human computer Interaction Initiative. He has a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Houston and worked in the oil & gas industry.
HON 321S, Art, Medicine, Healing and the Creative Process, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:10 - 4:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, Enrollment limit: 12, Ref. No. 7438005
Description:
This seminar will explore the relationship between art and healing. The class will take an interdisciplinary look at the creative process and its possible affects on mental and physical health, and in turn the effect of the psychosomatic state on the creative process. Guest speakers will include local artists. Scientific articles relating healing and morbidity with positive psychology, emotions and optimism to be discussed.
Texts:
Articles from Medical and Scientific journals, the film Frida, Before and after Zachariah by Fern Kupfer, and readings focused on health psychology and coping
Instructors:
Robert Gitchell is a retired orthopedic surgeon from McFarland Clinic and an avid supporter of art.
Joan Cunnick is an Associate Professor of Animal Science with 16 years of research experience and interest in psychoneuroimmunology.
HON 321T, Are You What You Eat?, Tuesday, 1:10-2:00, 1 credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 5148005
Description:
What nutrients are essential for life and what foods and food supplements will improve the quality of life? Why? Why not? This seminar will emphasize the role of nutrition provided by food and food supplements in promoting a health life through the prevention of diseases and disorders. The physiological function of nutrients and the provision of those nutrients by common foods will be the topic of the first part of the course. Then, the role of nutraceuticals and probiotics as food supplements in a healthy life will be emphasized. Popular topics of nutrition will be discussed via oral presentations by the students.
Texts:
Instructor will provide handouts for use during discussions at each class meeting except for student presentation days (last five class periods). Handouts will describe nutritional guidelines of American Heart Association and USDA, nutrient requirements, food composition, biochemistry and function of each nutrient. World Food Prize, and as published by the National Academies, recent publications on controversial topics of nutrition.
Instructor:
Don Beitz is a Distinguished Professor of Agriculture who has taught biochemistry (e.g., BBMB 420 and BB 405) for 38 years at ISU. In addition, he teaches an Agricultural Biotechnology Colloquium for Scholarship for Excellence students in the College of Agriculture. His research program focuses on application of molecular biology and biochemistry to animal food production and animal diseases. He has participated actively in Honors programs (e.g., Freshman Mentor, Honors projects, and advisor) throughout his ISU career.
HON 321V, From LOL to LMAO: Is it TMI?, Monday, 3:10 - 5:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 6545005
Description:
This seminar will explore the impact that various forms of technology (such as Facebook, Instant Messaging, and IPods) have on college students' development, interpersonal relationships, socialization, and communication style. After investigating these issues, students will work together to develop a research project that examines the social implications of one or more forms of technology.
Texts:
Readings for the seminar will be selected from the following list. Not all readings from this list will be required. If other pertinent or more timely articles are discovered they may be substituted for articles on this reading list.
Berners-Lee, Tim. Weaving the Web. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1999.
Bugeja, Michael. Interpersonal Divide: The Search for Community in a Technological Age.
Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 2004. Castells, Manuel. The Power of Identity. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 1997. Compaine, Benjamin M., editor. The Digital Divide: facing a Crisis or Creating a Myth.
Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 2001.
Flanagin, Andrew J and Jennifer H. Waldeck. 'Technology Use and Organizational Newcomer Socialization.' The Journal of Business Communication. April 2004. Feenberg, Andrew. Questioning Technology. London: Routledge. 1999.
Goodfellow, Robin. 'Online Literacies and Learning: Operational, Cultural and Critical Dimensions.' Language & Education 18:5 (2004) 379-399.
Gurak, Laura J. Cyberliteracy: Navigating the Internet with Awareness. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2001.
Kunstler, James Howard, Home from Nowhere: Remaking Our Everyday World for the 21st Century. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996.
The Geography of Nowhere. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994.
Lee, Kevin C. and Stephen D. Perry. 'Student Instant Message Use in a Ubiquitous Computing Environment: Effects of Deficient Self-Regulation.' Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 48.3 (2004): 399-420.
Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. New York: Penguin, 1986.
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. New York: Vintage, 1993.
Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000. Roszak , Theodore. The Cult of Information. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 1994.
Schrodt, Paul and Paul Witt. 'Students' Attributions of Instructor Credibility as a Function of Students' Expectations of Instructional Technology Use and Nonverbal Immediacy.' Communication Education. Jan 2006.
Tyre, Peg. 'Professor In Your Pocket.' Newsweek. Nov. 28, 2005. Winn, Marie. The Plug-In Drug. New York: Penguin, 1977. _________. The Plug-In Drug. New York: Penguin, 2002.
Instructors:
Jennifer Farrell is a coordinator in the Office of New Student Programs at Iowa State University. She is an M.A. candidate in Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. Her research focuses on communication theory, student development, conceptions of citizenship, and youth voting.
Megan Parker is a coordinator in the Office of New Student Programs at Iowa State University. She holds a Master of Education degree from Arizona State University and is a graduate of the Iowa State University Honors Program. She has instructed several for-credit courses at Iowa State University, Arizona State University and George Mason University.
HON 321W, Wisdom for a Livable Planet: People who Made a Difference, Wednesday, 5:10 - 7:00 p.m., 2 credits, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 6564005
Description:
This seminar offers an opportunity to experience and discuss critical issues concerning the relationship between humans and our environment. We will explore the lives of eight visionaries and leaders who are thinking and making changes on the issues of economics, biodiversity, technology, agriculture, population, education, toxic wastes, and climate change. As a central part of the seminar, we will take a field trip to The Land Institute (Salina, Kansas) and we will interact with some of these same people. Students will work on team-projects to engage the ISU community in moving forward to a more livable campus (and planet).
Texts:
Required book:
McDaniel, C. 2005. Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Fornos, Herman Daly, Stephen Schneider, and David Orr.
Instructors:
Valentin Picasso is a PhD student in Sustainable Agriculture at ISU. He is a Natural Systems Agriculture Fellow with The Land Institute. He has taught Agronomy undergraduate courses, study abroad courses (Uruguay), and Honors Seminars at ISU, and is participating in the Preparing Future Faculty program.
Gretchen Zdorkowski is a Lecturer in food systems and sustainability in the Agronomy Department with an interdisciplinary background in geography and botany. She has taught graduate classes in sustainable agriculture and undergraduate classes in food systems, sustainable agriculture, urban geography, cultural geography and world regional geography since 1981. Her qualification for developing and team-teaching this course is a long-term curiosity concerning the intersection between humans and the environment, and a deep interest in the future of the planet.
HON 321Z, Vampires, Witches, and Commissars: Russian and Soviet Fairy Tales, Friday, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m., 1 credit, Enrollment limit: 15, Ref. No. 7634005
Description:
A witch who flies on a butter churn, a hut that stands on chicken legs, a firebird with magical plumage, a wish-granting goldfish? Are these lost episodes of "The X-Files"? No, all of these features are part of the intricate weave of the Russian fairy tale - a literary tradition with roots in Slavic folklore and which continues into Russia's "Golden Age" of 19th-century literature, through the Soviet period and up to present day post-Soviet writings. The course will provide an introduction to a wide selection of Russian fairy tales while examining the aesthetic, social, and psychological values that they reflect. Beginning with the discussion of traditional folk tales we will then proceed to examine how Soviet Russia embraced and glorified fairy-tale imagery to enshrine 'the Leader' in the 'never-never land' of the Kremlin. We will discuss why one of the most prominent slogans of Stalin-era Russia was 'We were born to make fairy tales come true.' We will also examine works of Soviet fiction and drama that ironically subverted the optimism of Soviet fairy tales in a subtle criticism of communist society. Lastly, we will look at post-Soviet mass cultural products (fiction and film) that have incorporated fairy-tale elements as part of a response to recent socio-political changes in the Russia of Yeltsin and Putin.
Texts:
All readings will be provided by the instructor. Readings will consist of excerpts from the following sources:
Afanas'ev, Aleksandr. Russian Fairy Tales.
Bailey, James and Tatyana Ivanova, translation and commentary. An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics.
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment.
Ruth Bottigheimer, ed. Fairy Tales and Society: Illusion, Allusion, and Paradigm.
Cashdan, Sheldon. The Witch Must Die.
Hubbs, Joanna. Mother Russia.
Ivanits, Linda. Russian Folk Belief.
L-hi, Max. The European Folktale.
Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Shadow and Evil in Fairy Tales.
Warner, Marina. From the Beast to the Blonde.
Zipes, Jack. Don't Bet on the Prince. Contemporary Feminist Fairy Tales in North America and England.
Zipes, Jack. Fairy Tales and the Art of Subversion.
Zipes, Jack. Fairy Tale as Myth, Myth as Fairy Tale.
Instructor:
Olga Mesropova is an assistant professor of Russian at ISU. Her research interests include post-Soviet film, gender and culture studies. She has published articles on various aspects of Russian culture, film, television, and performance in journals such as Russian Review, Slavic and East European Journal, and Canadian Slavonic Papers. She is also the author of KINOTALK (a cinema-based conversation textbook, forthcoming, Slavica 2006). She is currently co-editing a collection of essays entitled Uncensored: Reinventing Humor and Satire in Post-Soviet Russia.
