Course Syllabus
Course: HONR 2850
Division: Administrative Division
Department: Administration
Title: Honors Interdisciplinary Studies
Semester Approved: Summer 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Spring 2025
Catalog Description: This course is designed for honors students and focuses on interdisciplinary topics. The specific subject for any given semester will be shown in the class schedule and course advertisement materials. While class topics will vary from semester to semester, the course will emphasize issues and topics that can be studied by multiple academic disciplines. This course is repeatable for credit.
General Education Requirements: Integrated Exploration (IE)
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-3; Lecture: 1-3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Justification: This course is an important element of the Snow College Honors Program, which has a goal of allowing students to connect the knowledge and assumptions of disparate academic disciplines. It will allow students to read, think, write, and discuss course content by engaging these multiple perspectives.This course is similar to interdisciplinary honors courses at other schools, including HONR 2010: Interdisciplinary Topics at Southern Utah University and HON 3010: Special Topics at Dixie State University.
General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum will have a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world, with particular emphasis on American institutions, the social and behavioral sciences, the physical and life sciences, the humanities, the fine arts and personal wellness. By their nature, these interdisciplinary courses deal with fundamental knowledge in at least one of these areas. For example, the course "Information in our Lives" deals with the transmission and storing of data both biologically and technologically. Titles of recent courses will serve as further examples ("The History of the Book", "The Genesis of Evolution", "The Art and Science of Detection", "Cryptology", etc.).
2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students will read course materials critically and for the purpose of responding orally or in writing. They will also use class readings as springboards to researching related issues.
3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can speak and write effectively and respectfully as a member of the global community, and work effectively as a member of a team. Students will regularly participate in oral discussions in class. Students will also complete at least one project / paper / presentation that demonstrates their ability to communicate effectively.
5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can address complex problems by integrating the knowledge and methodologies of multiple disciplines. Students will explore the class topics through the lens of multiple academic disciplines, exploring the connections between the knowledge and disciplinary assumptions of those disciplines.
6: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively about nature, culture, facts, values, ethics, and civic policy. Student can reason analytically, critically, and creatively about nature, culture, facts, values, ethics, and civil policy.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills through written and oral responses to course readings. Students will apply the assumptions and knowledge of various academic disciplines to the study of course topics. Through regular class discussions and assignments, students will demonstrate their ability to read critically and communicate their findings.
Students will apply the assumptions and knowledge of various academic disciplines to the study of course topics. Through at least one major project / report / presentation, students will analyze an issue from multiple discipline perspectives.
Content:
This course will be delivered through lecture, vigorous discussion, peer-encouraged learning, and close interaction with faculty. Course content varies according to the topic for any given semester; however, the content will include appropriate readings and assignments as determined by the instructor. The course will emphasize critical reading and thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary exploration.
Key Performance Indicators:
Student learning will be assessed by three or more of the following key performance indicators:
Exams 0 to 50%
Written responses (reading journals, papers, etc.) 0 to 40%
Oral presentations 0 to 30%
Class discussion/participation 0 to 30%
Other assignments 0 to 30%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Texts will vary according to the content of the class; however, they should include primary and secondary sources.
Pedagogy Statement:
All sections will engage in in-class discussion and some lecture. Because the instructor and topic vary from semester to semester, the Honors Director(s) will be tasked with ensuring that at least one of the following high impact practices is employed: writing intensive, service learning, undergraduate research, hands on experiences, or collaborative assignments/projects.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 15
