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HON-101-01. Introduction to Honors: 'Secret Histories'
Dr. Tiu (Mathematics), Dr. Maher (History)
Time: Fridays 2:00 p.m.
Reading John Friedman’s “Secret Histories” can be an unsettling experience. The government of the United States, it says, has not always acted in accordance with the lofty principles on which this country was founded. According to the authors of the various selections featured in this book, our government has orchestrated the overthrow of foreign governments, abetted dictators and turned a blind eye to their abuses, and kept sordid secrets from the American people on the grounds of “national security.”
It must be said at the outset that this seminar does not have a political agenda. Rather, we will be asking some hard questions in a spirit of academic inquiry. Here are a few examples that could be applied to almost every chapter of this book: Why did our government (or its representatives) act the way it did in this instance? Were our national interests served by its actions here? How should it have acted, and why? The seminar leaders, Drs. Tiu and Maher, won’t have any cut-and-dried answers to most of these questions; hence, an open, inquisitive, and analytical mind is required of all participants.
HON-101-02. Introduction to Honors: Cosmologies and Cultures
Dr. Collins (Art History), Dr. Rulison (Physics)
Time: Wednesdays 4:30
This honors seminar centers upon the investigation of different cosmologies found in different cultures. Students will explore how both ancient and modern cultures constructed their view of the cosmos, and why, and fashioned ideas of their place in the universe by exploring the stars. Specifically, the course will move chronologically from the earliest evidence of star-gazing and star-myths, through ancient cultures like the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Maya, and culminate in explorations of pre-Copernican and Copernican cosmological constructs. The course will also review some of the latest issues and discoveries in cosmology, and how these ideas can, and do, influence religion and society and humanity's understanding of our place in the universe.
HON-101-03. Introduction to Honors: Talking Politics: Eloquence on the Campaign Trail
Dr. Knippenberg
Time: Fridays 1:30 and 2:30
In this Honors Seminar, we take advantage of the 2008 election season to analyze the ways in which candidates speak about the issues of the day. In addition to reading and viewing speeches, we will invite candidates to campus and travel to campaign events in the Atlanta metropolitan area. I hope that we will come to appreciate critically the various roles of words, arguments, and manner of delivery in persuading and motivating audiences. Our purpose is not to take sides (though I have no doubt that at least some of us will), but rather to prepare ourselves for lives as critical, thoughtful, and engaged citizens.
Honors seminars are capped at 30 students. For that reason, we ask that you rank your preferences, so that if your first choice is full, you will still be enrolled in a Honors seminar. Please rank your preferences (1 -3) with 1 being your first choice. We will try to match all students with one of their top choices.
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