SEMINAR REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SEMESTER BEGINS
November 13th at Noon
 

WARNING!!!!!
IF YOU TRY TO REGISTER FOR SEMINARS BEFORE NOVEMBER 13TH AT NOON, YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO ADD THE CLASS.  ALSO THE SYSTEM WILL EXCLUDE YOU FROM THE WAIT LIST AFTER THE CLASS IS FULL.

THE REFERENCE NUMBERS WILL BE POSTED A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR TO REGISTRATION

• World War I at the Movies
• The Mental Martial Art: GO
• Creative Writing: Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Understanding Global Warming
• Introduction to Islam
• Choices For Sustainable Living
• Education for Liberation: Reading Paulo Freire
• Food for Thought
• Developing Your Emotional Intelligence: EI over IQ?
• Christianity and Science
• This American Life
• Flash fiction: Blink and You’ll Think
• English Dialects of North America
• The Meaning of Gardens
• Popular Business Books: Valuable But to Whom?***CANCELLED***
• Resonance: Intersections Between Music and Architecture
• Tolkien’s Mythology
• Victorian Gardens
• The History of Reproductive Rights in America
• Understanding War
• Conflicts in the Middle East
• Creativity and Your Career
• Civilizations of the Maghreb
• What the Paperbag Princess Can Teach Us: Social Justice Lessons in Children’s Literature

HON 322A, World War I at the Movies, Thursday, 7:10-9:00 p.m., 2 credits, International Perspectives Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4651-005.
Instructor: Gloria Betcher

Description:
From the home front to the Western Front and further afield, films in this two-credit seminar will explore the World War I experience of soldiers, their families and their countries. The class will introduce you to the cultural history represented in film, and to a lesser extent music and literature, about the Great War, and will help you think critically about how the experience of war is portrayed. You will watch a film one week and the next week discuss that film and related readings. You will also participate in and moderate discussions, highlight issues seen as key to your learning, and write individual responses to some of the films and articles.

Instructor background:
Gloria Betcher, an Adjunct Associate Professor of English, is an award-winning teacher and mentor. She has taught Honors Seminars on Robin Hood, King Arthur, and The Three Musketeers in history, legend and film, and enjoys reading about military history as a hobby.

HON 322B, The Mental Martial Art: GO, Tuesday, 7:10-9:00 p.m., 2 credits, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15,
Ref# 4652-005.
Instructor: Kyle Blocher & Kirk Moloney

Description:
This two-credit seminar will explore in detail the ancient Chinese game of Go, one of the most widely played board games in the East and the oldest board game still played in its original form. Approximately half the class (one hour per week) will focus on how to play, including a short introduction of a new topic and playing in class against your classmates. The other half will be spent reading and discussing the history of Go, its effects on society in ancient and modern times, and applications of the game to subjects such as mathematics, computer science, and business.  You are expected to attend class every week (due to the cumulative nature of the class, it is highly recommended that you miss no classes unless there is a special circumstance), complete weekly assignments, and practice playing outside class. A love for games, an interest in other cultures, and good study discipline are strongly recommended: to succeed at playing Go requires dedication and perseverance.

Instructors' background:
Kyle Blocher, who holds Bachelor's degrees in Business and Computer Science from Indiana University, is a self-employed computer consultant. He has three years of intensive experience playing Go and one year of experience teaching it in elementary, middle school, and adult age groups. He studied abroad in Hong Kong, playing and teaching Go while he was there.

HON 322C, Creative Writing:  Science Fiction and Fantasy, Monday, 3:10-4:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2015 Morrill Hall, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4653-005.
Instructor: Karen Bovenmyer

Description:
In this seminar you will explore science fiction and fantasy literature and how to apply the basic rules of creative writing to projects in science fiction and fantasy genres. Short presentations on aspects of writing will be followed by discussion of readings and creative writing time during class. You will leave this seminar experience with increased creativity; an outline for a science fiction or fantasy story/novella/novel; greater knowledge about the rules of writing and how science fiction and fantasy stories are constructed; and possible markets for your own creations. Typical reading assignments will be one short story per class session or one chapter of material from a text about creative writing.

Instructor background:
Karen Bovenmyer has a Master's from ISU's Creative Writing program and works full time for ISU's Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. She recently completed her second full-length fantasy novel, participates in national fantasy conferences, and frequently geeks out over Tolkien.

HON 322D, Understanding Global Warming, Monday, 3:10-4:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 277 Science I, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4654-005.
Instructor: Cinzia Cervato

Description:
This seminar is based on a new book, Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming by Michael Mann and Lee Kump, an illustrated guide to the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Topics include the basics of and projections about climate change; the effects of climate change; vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; and solving global warming. You will read book chapters and selected readings on weekly themes and present your findings to the class, guiding a discussion. We will also have one or two invited speakers.

Instructor background:

HON 322E, Introduction to Islam, Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00-11:50 a.m., 2 credits, International Perspectives Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4655-005.
Instructor: Jennifer Clair-Toy

Description:
In this two-credit seminar, you will explore Islam in its cultural, socio-political, and historical contexts.  We will pay particular attention to myths associated with Islam and important current issues such as women in Islam. You will learn about and discuss the historical beginning of Islam, central tenets and dogma, modern conflicts with and within Islam, and Islamic philosophy.  Various sects of Islam will also be analyzed. Class time will include discussion of reading material and watching short films as well as some lecturing. A reflection paper, due at the end of the term, will include your reactions to the material presented in class and additional research done independently.

Instructor background:
Jennifer Clair-Toy is a lifelong practitioner of Islam, born and raised in a Lebanese Shi'ite family. She has taught this Honors Seminar twice in the past.

HON 322F, Choices For Sustainable Living, Wednesday, 2:10-4:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, 60 Hixson-Lied, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4661-005.
Instructor: Mickey Fitch

Description:
This half-semester seminar (first half) explores the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their effects on the earth. Readings and small- and large-group discussions will help you understand sustainability, consumer behavior, food miles and impact, sustainable communities and action, sustainable business, and creating a vision for the future.  The seminar will include some guest speakers and optional field trips. You will maintain a reflection journal and create a "green" project related to your major.

Instructor background:

HON 322G, Education for Liberation:  Reading Paulo Freire, Tuesday, 9:00-10:50 a.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, International Perspectives Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4664-005.
Instructor: Ryan Gildersleeve

Description:
Paolo Freire is one of the world's most famous thinkers about education. This half-term seminar (first half) will focus on a close reading of Freire's most popular book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. In weekly readings and student-generated discussions, you will explore Freire's "banking" concept of education, concepts of oppression and liberation in education, and what it means to live a liberatory pedagogy. You will also write an analytical/reflective paper relating Freire's work to your life.

Instructor background:

HON 322H, Food for Thought, Wednesday, 5:30-7:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:12, Ref# 4668-005.
Instructor: Jean Goodwin

Description:
As animals, humans seek nutrients to survive. But as language-using animals, humans also seek food that means something. In the past few years, we have begun to reflect and even dispute about how we talk about food. This seminar invites participants to dinner conversations about some of these vocabularies, sometimes at brown-bag dinners, sometimes at restaurant outings, so that we can make more responsible choices about what food means for us. You will (with the help of the instructor) select appropriate readings and films, and will host a dinner/discussion once during the semester. Everyone is also expected to come prepared to be a good dinner guest: willing to try out new words and new foods, and join the conversation at table. At the end of the semester, you will articulate in writing your current thoughts about food. Course is limited to 12 students.

Instructor background:

HON 322J, Developing Your Emotional Intelligence:  EI over IQ?, Thursday, 2:10-4:00 p.m., 1 credit, 2nd Half, 0135 MacKay, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4678-005.
Instructor: Suzanne Hendrich

Description:
In this half-term seminar (second half), you will learn to define and use emotional intelligence and to think critically about the frameworks of emotional intelligence. As a member of this seminar you will participate in discussion of readings, present a team-based EI learning activity, present a personal EI goal project, and complete weekly and final written reflections on EI learning.

Instructor background:
Suzanne Hendrich, Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition, has taught "EI" in a learning community and in previous Honors Seminars. She has studied interpersonal skill development in college students in attempting to enhance cooperative learning environments in the classroom. She has been an ISU faculty member for 21 years.

HON 322K, Christianity and Science, Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, International Perspectives Credit, 541 Science II, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4679-005.
Instructor: Thomas Ingebritsen

Religion and science, two of the greatest forces that influence mankind, generally treat 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 half-semester seminar (first half) will explore the interaction and boundaries between science and theology in this area of common interest. Class time will generally be spent discussing weekly readings from K. R. Miller's Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, and A. E. McGrath's Science and Religion: An Introduction. You will participate in class discussions, maintain a journal with weekly reflections about your learning in the class, and complete a summary of your journal reflections.

Instructor background:

HON 322L, This American Life, Thursday, 12:10-2:00 p.m., 2 credits, Diversity Credit, N0102 Lago., Enrollment limit:15,
Ref# 4680-005.
Instructor: Carrie (Karen) Kortegast
                   
Description:
This two-credit seminar will explore what we can learn about ourselves, others and our world through the format of lived stories/narratives. The National Public Radio show "This American Life," a one-hour weekly show on various topics, will for the most part serve as the "text" for the course. You will explore a variety of concepts such as identity, democracy, diversity and human experience through the power of conversation. A reflection paper, personal narrative, and brief "minute papers, as well as participation, will be required.

Instructor background:
Carrie Kortegast is a doctoral student in Educational, Leadership & Policy Studies (ELPS) with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration and, works as a graduate research assistant for the Research Institute for the Studies of Education (RISE). She has taught previously on leadership, diversity, and social justice.

HON 322M, Flash fiction:  Blink and You’ll Think, Wednesday, 11:00-11:50 a.m., 1 credit, 211 East Hall, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4681-005.
Instructor: Christiana Langenberg

Description:
A subgenre of contemporary fiction has emerged within the last few decades that has alternately been called flash fiction, sudden fiction, or short-shorts: an entire short story told within 10-2000 words. The undertaking of reading and writing flash fiction is to find/create a story in which every word is absolutely essential and extraneous narrative clutter is excised. In this seminar you will read and discuss many of these works, identifying how they embody the same techniques as traditional stories while also offering a unique experience through the virtue of their brevity.  You  will also experiment with writing your own flash fiction and will share those stories with the class. You will participate in discussion and must hand in all written work on time.

Instructor background

HON 322N, English Dialects of North America, Monday, 2:10-3:00 p.m., 1 credit, 0125 Ross, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 4687-005.
Instructor: John Levis

Description:
North American English reflects the extraordinary regional and social diversity of the U.S. and Canada.  This seminar will provide a survey of the linguistic diversity of North American English, examining the historical and cultural roots, as well as the future development of, major dialect varieties such as Northern, Midlands, and Southern U.S. English and standard Canadian English. The class will include teacher and student presentations, experiential learning in examining dialect data, and data collection focusing on dialect diversity in Iowa. You will complete three projects: a dialect analysis, a presentation on a dialect and its history, and an examination of the dialect diversity of Iowa speakers.

Instructor background:

HON 322P, The Meaning of Gardens, Wednesday, 10:00-10:50 a.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 5111-005.
Instructor: Michael Martin

Description:
This seminar will explore the "meaning" of gardens - how particular garden design traditions reflect culture and place. We will range very widely through history and across cultures, in order to sample diversity but also to understand commonalities. At the completion of the seminar, you will have gained an understanding of why particular design traditions emerged and how those design traditions are connected with the culture and environment of the garden-makers. Class time will include discussion and visuals (images/video). You will be expected to complete assigned readings and to actively participate in discussions. The class will include at least one local field trip (to Reiman Gardens).

Instructor background:

HON 322Q, Popular Business Books:  Valuable But to Whom?, Wednesday, 3:10-5:00 p.m., 2 credits, 0115 Gerdin, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 5113-005.
Instructor: James McElroy

***CANCELLED***

Description:
This two-credit seminar will introduce you to books that claim to explain to managers how to make their organizations more successful. Three are "business best sellers" while the fourth is a new and more controversial entry into this market. Working in groups, you and your classmates will make presentations on these books, including follow-up research on companies to see the effects on them over time. You will gain critical thinking skills and will write a reflective paper on the course readings and the nature of such publications.

Instructor background:
James McElroy is a University Professor of Management and the Bill and Liz Goodwin Faculty Fellow in the College of Business. He has been at Iowa State University for 29 years, holding a variety of positions, including department chair and associate dean. He is an active researcher on employee attitudes and behaviors.

HON 322R, Resonance:  Intersections Between Music and Architecture, Thursday, 3:10-4:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 5117-005.
Instructor: Mikesch Muecke & Miriam Zach

Description:
In this seminar we will study the relations between music and architecture throughout history, from early beginnings in the Paleolithic to contemporary interdisciplinary collaborations. Topics will include music as a spatial art, the social functions of music and architecture and translating space into music. You will participate in discussions and write short responses to the lectures and discussions.

Instructors' background:
Mikesch Muecke, Associate Professor of Architecture, teaches design studios, history/theory/culture seminars, and computer applications courses. In his most recent research he has been working on the intersection of biocomposites and design, as well as on the interdisciplinary topic of music and architecture.

HON 322T, Tolkien’s Mythology, Friday, 2:10-4:00 p.m., 2 credits, 1428 Molecular Bio., Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 2968-005.
Instructor: Alan Myers

Description:
This two-credit seminar undertakes a thorough and rigorous exploration of the mythology developed in the imagination of Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien is best known for his epic romance "The Lord of the Rings" (LOTR), widely recognized as one of the greatest works of fiction written in English, but LOTR and the movies derived from the novel are not the subject of this seminar. Rather, the course for the most part addresses Tolkien's other writings including "The Silmarillion," "Unfinished Tales," and background writings presented to the public after the author's death. Class discussion about each reading is required of all participants. You will write a short paper, a creative writing piece set within Tolkien's mythological structure. These contributions will be discussed in class during the closing weeks of the semester.
Instructor background:

HON 322U, Victorian Gardens, Tuesday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, Reiman Gardens, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 2977-005.
Instructor: Lisa Orgler & Aaron Steil

Description:
In this half-semester seminar (first half), you will explore the world of the Victorian Garden and how society at large influenced its formation. During class, you will discuss reading assignments, presentation topics by instructors, and your own explorations. The class period will not simply be a transfer of information but a discussion among peers where ideas from the readings and assignments can be explored and synthesized. This goal requires the active participation of both students and instructors.

Instructors' background:
Lisa Orgler is currently the Assistant Director at Reiman Gardens. Her responsibilities include supervising the areas of horticulture, education and entomology. She has a special interest in Victorian Gardens and has presented across the state on various areas under this topic including how Victorian society affected the landscape; plant explorers; and Victorian Parlor gardening. 

HON 322V, The History of Reproductive Rights in America, Tuesday, 11:00-12:40 p.m., 2 credits, 2114 Pearson, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 3552-005.
Instructor: Alissa Stoehr

Description:
This two-credit seminar offers you an opportunity to study the history of reproductive rights in America, including such topics as virginity, birth control, abortion, fertility, legal issues, and the intersections of race, class, and religion. After completing the seminar, you will know your forebears' reproductive history and will be able to think critically about social issues. Class time will be used for discussion and small group work; you will write several critical thinking papers on readings of your choice, as well as a final paper or project (working alone or in pairs). Open and honest class discussion is encouraged and expected.

Instructor background:

HON 322W, Understanding War, Wednesday, 2:10-3:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 1115 Pearson, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 3675-005.
Instructor: Jean-Pierre Taoutel

Description:
This seminar will examine the daily life in wartime and the social effects of war. How do people live in extreme conditions? Through study cases and living experiences you will be able to better understand the "chaos of war." We will examine in depth the Geneva Convention and other human rights documents to raise awareness about war crimes against civilians. We will also explore the role of the media in conflict. Reports on specific topics, in-class discussion, and participation in debate are required.

Instructor background:

HON 322Y, Conflicts in the Middle East, Tuesday, 2:10-3:00 p.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 3157 Pearson, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 3725-005.
Instructor: Jean-Pierre Taoutel

Description:
This seminar will use Thomas Friedman's From Beirut to Jerusalem to explore the current political conflicts in the Middle East, looking in depth at the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Lebanese War, the Palestinian question, and other regional issues (Iraq, the Kurds, Iran, etc.). You will learn how the conflicts of the "complicated Middle East" affect the war on terrorism. Discussion and participation in debates are required.

Instructor background:
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 Senior Lecturer of French and an Instructor of Arabic.

HON 322Z, Creativity and Your Career, Tuesday, 5:10-6:00 p.m., 1 credit, 210 Hamilton, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 8334-005.
Instructor: John Thomas

Description:
In this seminar, you will study historic and cultural interpretations of the fulfillment of a career/life and how they relate to creativity. The central premise of the course is that a constructive lifelong career is highly related to individual creativity. Life-fulfilling concepts will be evaluated against the idea that we exist to create, and thus improve the value of life and the social experience. You will study, research and present different perspectives on the meaning of a successful career and life. In-depth, in-class discussion will accompany each presentation.

Instructor background:

HON 324A, Civilizations of the Maghreb, Monday, 11:00-11:50 a.m., 1 credit, International Perspectives Credit, 2149 Pearson, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 8915-005.
Instructor: Hicham Zemmahi

Description:
This seminar will introduce you to the Maghreb region of Northern Africa and the civilizations of its native peoples since Islam came to the region in the 7th century. You will learn about the geography and the peoples that inhabited the region as well as their languages and religions. By presenting and discussing assigned readings, you will also become familiar with the region's types of livelihood, social systems, forms of government, and architecture.

Instructor background:
Hicham Zemmahi is a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant teaching Arabic at ISU. He was born and raised in Morocco, at the heart of the Maghreb. He majored in English Language and Literature and in graduate school studied Language, Culture, and Communication at the University of Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco.

HON 324B, What the Paperbag Princess Can Teach Us:  Social Justice Lessons in Children’s Literature, Monday & Wednesday, 4:10-5:00 p.m., 1 credit, 1st Half, Diversity Credit, 1151 Jischke, Enrollment limit:15, Ref# 8916-005.
Instructor: Stephanie Zywicki

Description:
This half-semester seminar (first half) will explore the role social justice plays in our lives. Using the lens of children's literature, you will engage in discussion of such topics as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, and national origin.  In using critical theory to analyze the relationship between children's books and social justice principles, you will develop a stronger sense of how messages of diversity are contextualized by young people and how those messages may have influenced your own perspectives. You will write book reviews and reflective papers, and will conduct a workshop or lesson on a topic covered in class.

Instructor background:
Stephanie Masta Zywicki is in her third year as a hall director with the Department of Residence and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in multicultural and anti-bias education.  She loves talking about issues of social justice and has taught several sections of this popular Honors Seminar.