THE HONORS PROGRAM AT ALVERNIA COLLEGE

Excellence, Interaction, Enthusiasm

Honors Program

Course Offerings for Spring 2007

Registering for Honors Courses

In order to graduate from the Honors Program, students must enroll in THREE Honors courses before graduation, plus complete the 6-credit thesis. Of course, even if you’re not planning to graduate from the Program, you may take courses just because they’re interesting, and you may take more than three.

Below is a list of the Honors courses offered in Spring 2007. Please note that many of these courses are cross-listed in IQ Web, so that if you look only under the COL headings in IQ Web, you will see far smaller ‘caps’ on the class (i.e. a maximum of 10 or 15 spaces) than they actually have—if you look under the cross-list (i.e. the disciplinary offering, like COM or ENG or whatever), you will see the other 15 slots. So don’t assume that because the course appears ‘closed’ when you look at the COL listing that it is actually full—check the other listing as well to be sure. Regardless of how you register for it (COL or the discipline), it will count as an Honors course for graduation, but it cuts down on the confusion a little if you register for it as COL if you can—so if there are spaces under COL, register for it that way first.

Courses fulfill core or major requirements in the disciplines indicated in the brackets.

COL 260-01: Experience Music [MUS] Schwanger 12:00 MWF
Description: Investigate the richness and variety of music and music-makers around Reading and your home area. This interactive course combines classroom learning and WebCT with multiple off-campus music events in a variety of venues. Subject matter and scheduling are flexible. Students are responsible for transportation and occasional entrance fees.

COL 260-02: Intercultural Communication [COM/DIVERSITY] Guay 12:00 MWF
Description: This course is designed to provide a survey of intercultural communication theory and practice and to develop a better understanding of human interactions in global contexts. We will study the relationship between the culture, behavior, and communication of individuals and groups, both internationally and nationally. Students will analyze and research how intercultural communication factors affect the way business, services, and communication are handled in various settings.

COL 260-03: Brave New Worlds [COM /ENG] Sister Pacelli 10:00 MWF
Description: How do authors create fictional worlds that are as "real" as our own? Emphasis will be on some of the basic elements of these worlds, such as political systems, diverse social groups, distinctive languages, moral conflicts and an extended history.

COL 260-04: Reporting on the Middle East [COM/POS] DiPaolo/Blessing 2:30 MW
Description: Students will read and write about the Middle East, its crises, and the United States' roles in them. The intent is to duplicate the activities of a Middle East news bureau, complete with a Middle East consultant.

COL 260-05: Satire & Sentiment [ENG] Law 11:00 TR
Description: Come read authors poking fun at society! Description, illustrations, and analysis of kinds of satire and levels of sentiment in fiction and poetry, including 18th-century masters, Swift and Sterne and Pope, and modern experts, Philip Roth and Don DeLillo and W. H. Auden.

COL 260-06: Internet Radio [CIS] Nerino/Mathys 1:00 MW
Description: An examination of all facets involved with establishing a radio presence over the internet. Includes hands-on hardware configuration so students gain a first-hand appreciation for the challenges associated with this exciting technological and societal innovations.

COL 360-01: Presidential Classroom [ELECTIVE] Flynn 5:30 TR
Description: Here’s your chance to take a course with Alvernia’s President, Dr. Tom Flynn! It doesn’t “count” as anything, but it will help you become well-rounded students and critical thinkers! Not to mention that you will have an awesome seminar experience, discussing interesting readings with a group of talented peers while being guided by the President. As an added bonus, the students in this course will have the opportunity to talk with Dr. Flynn over dinners about higher education in America and the future of Alvernia College. Students who enroll in this course for the Spring will be invited to meet with Dr. Flynn later this Fall to help determine the exact content of the course. A one-credit seminar course with Alvernia's President. Possible topics include: modern cross-cultural short fiction, faith and doubt in modern fiction, or the literature of modern war. Regardless of the topic, you will find these meetings fascinating and fun—what Honors education is supposed to be about! You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this unique and exciting opportunity!

COL 360-02: Theater History [COM/ENG] Thomas 9:30 TR
Description: A comprehensive study of the history of theatre from its origins through the post WWII era.

COL 360-03: International Human Rights [POS] Williams 3:30 TR
Description: Does the United States have a right or responsibility to stop genocide or human rights abuses in other countries? This course examines the issue of human rights, focusing on the role of international politics in defining, causing, monitoring, and preventing human rights abuses. This interactive course will focus primarily on case studies of genocide and human rights abuses in the post-World War II era. We will investigate the development of international law with regard to human rights, including the role of international and domestic tribunals, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court.

COL 490-01: God, Science & Designer Genes [THE/Ethics/non-lab BIO/LAS] Stober/Yarri 5:30 M
Description: Explores the ethical issues raised by new and emerging technologies in genetic science. This interdisciplinary course examines questions such as whether or not we are playing God, and addresses issues such as cloning, stem cell research, gender selection, and genetic discrimination

COL 460-01: Honors Thesis Should be taken twice for a total of 6 credits Williams TBA
Description: Working closely with a faculty mentor, students complete a thesis which involves identifying and solving a scholarly problem or developing a creative work. Juniors or Seniors planning to do their thesis must enroll in this course.

Expectations of Honors Students

Classes in Alvernia’s Honors Program encourage greater initiative and independence, deeper learning, and closer collaboration among honors students and faculty than in regular courses. This does not necessarily mean more work for honors students than for others, but it does mean a different kind of work, and may call for more individual attention from the professor than in a typical class. Students and professors alike will notice more difference in the quality of work required and produced than in the quantity. Classes are listed as a variety to fulfill a course requirement within each major.

For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Victoria Williams, Director of the Honors Program
Francis Hall 406
Office Phone (610) 796-5511
Victoria.williams@alvernia.edu

Updated: October 12, 2006

Your comments are welcome.