Honors Sections of University Core Curriculum Courses Each semester, the Honors College offers Honors sections of several University Core Curriculum (UCC) courses. Honors sections are more intense than traditional sections, they rely more upon discussion, and they are capped at 20 students. Before priority registration begins in the fall and spring semester, the Honors College Office produces a list of all Honors sections of UCC courses and shares it with students via e-mail. Registration Process: All incoming first year students (current high school seniors) are registered by the registrar. Current students: See your advisor before October 16th to discuss your Spring 2024 courses and obtain your alternate pin. For a course registration video, please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/EzBYVn7qpuU Click here for a helpful schedule planner. Click here for a blank 8-semester planning sheet. Courses are available only by permit. To obtain a permit, please email honors@wpunj.edu with your name, 855 number and the course information. Spring 2024 Honors Courses UCC Area 2A Expressions Arts and Communication Humanities Honors Seminar I CRN: 14780, HUM 2000-070, K. Molly O’Donnell, M, 5:00pm-6:15pm and Online Asynchronous An examination of ideas about human nature and values specifically designed to introduce students to interdisciplinary methods and arguments in the humanities and to explore the characteristic ideas and literary forms of different eras, cultures, intellectual and artistic movements. Course themes explore the evolution of the literary hero (protagonist) as an expression of changing cultural values and the various means individuals from many eras and backgrounds have found to achieve self-discovery, and salvation. (Fulfills Humanities Honors track seminar requirement). Attribute: Writing Intensive UCC Section 2C – Expression Literature Experiences in Literature ENG 1500-004, CRN13413, Rajender Kaur, TR, 11:00am-12:15pm ENG 1500-005, CRN13442, David Borkowski, MW, 11:00am-12:15pm ENG 1500-006, CRN13416, Judith Broome, MW, 3:30pm-4:45pm A writing-intensive course in which students examine how literary texts affect readers and in which students develop and sharpen this understanding though drafting, discussing, and revising written responses to these texts. Literary texts may include different genres: (short fiction, poetry, film, drama, etc.). Attribute: Writing Intensive UCC Area 3B- Ways of Knowledge The Modern World CRN: 13298, HIST 1050-003, Navyug Gill, TR, 2:00pm-3:15pm This course is designed to introduce students to the past three centuries of remarkable political, economic and cultural interactions that produced our modern world. We will explore a series of significant ideas, individuals and events, and their linkages between different regions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and Latin America from the mid-eighteenth century to the present. Specific themes include: the American, French and Haitian revolutions; the expansion of European imperialism; the development of modern science, industry and culture; the emergence of capitalism and its opponents; the rise of nationalism and anti-colonial liberation movements; and the new struggles for gender, racial and migrant justice. We will conclude by reflecting upon the novel connections and divergences that structure modernity in the early twenty-first century. UCC Area 3C- Ways of Knowledge Social and Behavioral Sciences General Psychology CRN: 13710, PSY 1100-001, Nafin Elias, TR 9:30am-10:45am This course surveys the chief theories, principles, and methodologies of psychology with special emphasis on their relations to human behavior. The biological foundations of behavior, sensory processes, learning, perception, memory, emotion, motivation, personality, and the social bases of behavior and behavior pathology are examined to establish the foundations for advanced study in psychology. Current research findings are included wherever applicable. UCC Area 4 – Diversity and Justice French Colonial Legacies CRN: 14987, AWS 2060-070/FR 2000-070, Madhuri Mukherjee, T, 2:00pm-3:15pm and Online Asynchronous This course offers an introduction to the historical and cultural diversity of various- primarily non-European-French-speaking regions of the world. It discusses French colonialism and its distinct and complex legacies in different areas of sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, North America, Indo-China, the Caribbean, and France itself. Through historical, literary, and cultural readings and cinema, this course traces the effects of colonization on both the colonizer and the colonized, including its particular impact on women and children; thus grappling with issues of power and oppression, sexism, race and gender, enslavement and inequality, and justice and freedom. Taught in English. The course includes an optional trip to Paris during Spring Break 2024. Social, Cultural and Behavioral Determinants of Health CRN: 14304, PBHL 3800-080, Asynchronous This honors Area 4 course covers the many ways in which the social and cultural environment and human behavior influence population health and interact to produce health status disparities. The course will consider key social factors such as race, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, education, disability, and immigration status, as well as cultural norms and beliefs, and behaviors as important determinants of human health. The ways in which public health intervenes to address social, cultural and behavioral factors in order to improve the health of groups will also be considered. UCC Area 5 – Community and Civic Engagement Liberal Studies and Community Engagement CRN: 14781, LBST 2500-070, K Molly O’Donnell, M, 5:00pm-6:15pm and Online Asynchronous In every society, individuals must struggle with balancing their own rights and freedoms with their responsibilities towards others. Liberal Studies and Community Engagement explores the ethical reasoning needed to bring individuals together into a community that allows connection and reciprocity while respecting individuals' autonomy. This course covers topics in social justice and applied ethics such as: responsible citizenship in local, national, and global societies, economic inequality, corporate responsibility, environmental justice, animal rights, reproductive rights, euthanasia, the death penalty, and diversity and equality. The course also discusses strategies for engaging with ethical issues in the community and requires civic engagement projects in which ethical theory is applied. Students enrolled in this course will complete their Honors College civic engagement requirement for the 2023-2024 academic year. UCC Area 6 – Global Awareness Global Transformations & the Human Condition CRN: 13064, ANTH 3100-071, Vidya Kalaramadam, W, 12:30pm-1:45 pm and Online Asynchronous This course develops an understanding of the experiences of “globalization” as a historical phase of capitalism, and “development” as a post-World War II set of practices. It will analyze specific “global” problems as manifested in the lives of large sections of the world’s poor and marginalized populations across multiple societies. These problems include: poverty and inequality; livelihoods and food security; endemic hunger, malnutrition and healthcare systems; overconsumption, population and environmental degradation; international debt; displacement and migration; intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge; wars and cultural conflicts. Emphasis will be on contradictory impacts on people and societal prospects in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and on marginalized populations in advanced capitalist countries. Methods to facilitate a just and sustainable future for humanity will also be explored. Environmental Determinants of Health in Global Context CRN: 13487, PBHL 3840-001, Marianne Sullivan, T, 2:00pm-4:40pm This honors UCC Area 6 course looks globally at the interdependence of humans on natural systems, how human societies shape and alter natural systems, and how this in turn shapes and determines the health of human populations. The course will consider the role of the environment in human health problems across the life course including infectious and chronic diseases, reproductive problems and developmental disorders. Key issues which will be considered in a global context include human health effects of climate change, children’s environmental health, air and water pollution, sanitation and waste, and toxics, among others. The course will explore inequities between, among and within countries in environmental health and how addressing such inequities can improve health outcomes. Attribute: UCC Area 6 Global Awareness Other Honor Courses Usable in Multiple Majors Lifespan Development CRN: 13274, PSY 2110-002, Cristina Guarneri, MW, 8:00am-9:15am This course provides a foundation for understanding human development from conception through late adulthood and death. It reviews the theories and research on the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human development. The biological & socio-cultural interactions with human development (e.g. race, class, gender & culture) are examined as well. PREREQUISITES: PSY 1100 Qualitative Research CRN: 14801, PSY 3040-070, Corinne Datchi, W, 2:00pm-3:15pm and Online Asynchronous This course is designed to introduce students to diverse theories and methods of qualitative research in psychology and other social sciences. It will also demonstrate how to use these methods to collect and analyze qualitative data, with a focus on interviewing techniques and the use of qualitative research software. The course will expand students’ understanding of research methods in psychology and other social sciences and culminate in the development of student-led qualitative research proposals. Attribute: Technology Intensive THESIS Courses – Available only to students in the Honors tracks unless also listed above Business Track Business Case Writing CRN: 14427, ACCT 4860-001, Staff A, TR, 2:00pm-4:40pm CRN: 14433, ECON 4860-001, Staff A, TR, 2:00pm-4:40pm CRN: 14439, FIN 4860-001, Staff A, TR, 2:00pm-4:4 pm CRN: 14446, MGT4860-001, Staff A, TR, 2:00pm-4:40pm CRN: 14465, MKT 4860-001, Ashley Lee and John Malindretos, TR, 2:00pm-4:40pm This is a cross-disciplinary course that represents the second part of the 6-credit practicum Honors option, which must be conducted over two semesters and undertaken in the junior or senior year. It will be a core component of the Practicum Honors option. Honors Practicum credits will be applied towards major concentration requirements. The course involves writing an effective business case based on the consulting report or business plan completed in the practicum course. This course will be supervised by a mentor chosen from the Cotsakos College of Business Academically Qualified (AQ) faculty members who participated in the corresponding practicum course. Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Track Psychology Testing CRN: 13588, PSY 3100, Leah Watson and Ashley Mondragon, Asynchronous This course examines the nature and functions of psychological testing, the interpretation of test scores, and related clinical and research issues. Intelligence, aptitude, and personality tests are covered with particular emphasis on interpretation. Theoretical and empirical aspects of test development are also emphasized. Students will learn how to build batteries of tests for use in various settings and with different populations, and the complexities of integrating test data with other forms of data (e.g., brain scans). Prerequisite: PSY 1100 Honors Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology CRN: 13709, CLSI 4950-001, Bruce Diamond, T, 2:00pm-4:40pm The purpose of this course is to develop a thorough understanding of the relationship between brain and behavior in healthy and clinical populations with the goal of integrating theory and applied clinical work. The course provides a solid foundation in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience and the tools, techniques and methodologies used in these contemporary fields of work. Throughout the course, contemporary and seminal research will be discussed with opportunities for lab-based demonstrations of physiological recording techniques and neuropsychological testing instruments. Finally, the course will also address the many challenges faced by people with disabilities, available state -of-the-art interventions, and corresponding ethical issues Clinical Science Thesis II CRN: 13175, CLSI 4701-080, Robin Nemeroff, Asynchronous The central goal of this course is to provide feedback, guidance and oversight during the final stages of the honors research experience and the process of writing a thesis. The course will monitor progress and help the student solve conceptual, methodological or logistical issues and to do so in constructive and supportive environment. Integral to this course is building on the Thesis I course and providing oversight of thesis writing with particular emphasis on the results and discussion stages. As such, the writing component represents the culmination of the research process and continues to serve in the role of facilitating learning, critical thinking and collaborative discussion as well as provide an evaluation tool. Cognitive Science Track Selected Topics in Cognitive Science CRN: 13106, CGSI 3000-001, Peter Mandik, F, 11:00am-1:40pm Examines basic concepts and problems found in several of the disciplines that make up cognitive science. Begin with an historical overview and a review of brain anatomy and physiology, and explore the impact of the computer metaphor in cognitive. Explore some of the issues within cognitive science in depth. Topics range from theories on how we construct our visual world to the representation of the self. Cognitive Science Honors Thesis II CRN: 12880, CGSI 4020-060, Amy Learmonth, F, 5:00pm-7:40pm This is the second component to the Cognitive Science Honors Thesis. Students will have already selected a research topic for their thesis, and the literature review will have been completed. The focus of this component of the thesis will be on data collection, analysis and interpretation of their work. Students will present their research in both oral and written forms. At the end of this course students will have completed a final draft of a thesis (approximately 50 pages) for submission to the honors college. Attribute: Writing Intensive Global Public Health Track Social, Cultural and Behavioral Determinants of Health CRN: 14304, PBHL 3800-080, Staff A, Asynchronous This honors Area 4 course covers the many ways in which the social and cultural environment and human behavior influence population health and interact to produce health status disparities. The course will consider key social factors such as race, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, education, disability, and immigration status, as well as cultural norms and beliefs, and behaviors as important determinants of human health. The ways in which public health intervenes to address social, cultural and behavioral factors in order to improve the health of groups will also be considered. Attribute: UCC Area 4 Diversity and Justice Environmental Determinants of Health in Global Context CRN: 13487, PBHL 3840-001, Marianne Sullivan, T, 2:00pm-4:40pm Please see description above. Attribute: UCC Area 6 Global Awareness Public Health Honors Capstone II CRN: 13965, PBHL 4850-001, Marianne Sullivan, meeting time TBA In this course students conduct research for and write their senior honors thesis in public health. A written thesis and public presentation of results is required. Students will use computer software to analyze the data on which their thesis is based. Computer software will also be used to develop tables, charts and graphs appropriate for graphically displaying the concepts and data in their thesis. PREREQUISITES: 1. Student must be enrolled in the Public Health Honors Track Program. 2. PBHL 4800 Honors Capstone I Humanities Track Humanities Honors Thesis Seminar I CRN: 14287, HUM 4010-001, K. Molly O’Donnell, meeting time TBA The first of two capstone courses in the Humanities honors track, designed to engage students in identifying, researching, and organizing an appropriate topic for their honor’s thesis. The course will include extensive individual work with a thesis supervisor. Course culminates in the completion and submission of a research proposal to University Honors College. Attribute: Writing Intensive Humanities Honors Thesis Seminar II CRN: 12944, HUM 4020-001, K. Molly O’Donnell, meeting time TBA The second, culminating capstone course in the Humanities honors track, in which students produce and present their individual senior research publicly in fulfilment of the thesis requirements for an honors degree from the University Honors College. Attribute: Writing Intensive Music Track Music Honors Seminar CRN: 12977, MUSI 4970-060, Lauren Fowler-Calisto, M, 4:00pm-4:50pm This four-semester sequence, one-credit course is the forum for basic orientation, communication, group collaboration, analysis, assessment, and mentoring for students in the Music Honors track of the University Honors Program. Students plan their course of study in honors, including choices of courses in and out of the Music Department, and begin to formulate and pursue the various honors project options working in consultation with the Honors Track Director and other Music Honors Students throughout their seminar experiences. Nursing Track Research Proposal Development CRN: 13787, NUR 3330-001, Staff, A, F, 8:00am-10:40 am CRN: 13788, NUR3330-002, Staff, A, F, 11:00am-1:40 pm The processes of identifying and conceptualizing a current nursing research problem and formulating testable hypotheses are addressed. Emphasis is placed on gathering and exploring the existing literature in order to develop a synthesis of the literature. Students explore theories relevant to nursing clinical practice and select an appropriate conceptual or theoretical framework to guide their research study. Exploration of a research design, development of data collection methods, sampling, and plan for data analysis are emphasized. The role of nurse as a researcher will be developed through formulation of a written and oral research proposal that will provide the foundation for subsequent semesters’ focus on implementation, analysis, and evaluation of outcomes. Prerequisite NUR3500 and NUR3260 Nursing Research CRN: 13297, NUR 3500-001, Staff, A, TR, 2:00pm-4:40pm The concepts and processes related to critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgement provide the framework for this course. Knowledge and skills required for critical analysis relevant to professional nursing practice are developed. The impact of information systems on quality, safety, ethics, and evidence-based practice is examined through the introduction of nursing informatics. Prerequisite: NUR 3500 Honors Research Seminar CRN: 13785, NUR 4530-001, Staff A, M, 8:00am-10:40 am This course provides the opportunity to finalize the research proposal that was written in NUR3330H and implemented in NUR4526H. Nursing honors students will write the final chapters of the research report. Results will also be presented in class and at the Honors Research Day on campus. Students will be provided with opportunities to complete peer reviews on oral and written work and develop a draft manuscript for journal submission. The role of the nurse as novice researcher will be reinforced through dissemination of findings and consideration of presentation at local, regional, and national conferences. Prerequisite: NUR3500H, NUR 3260H, NUR3330H, NUR4526H Performing and Literary Arts Track PLA Thesis II CRN: 14001, PLA 4020-001, Martha Witt, Meeting time TBA CRN: 15138, PLA 4020-002, Timothy Newman, Meeting Time TBA The primary goal of this course is to enable students to complete and successfully present a significant creative honors project (begun in PLA 4010). Students are required to produce chapters or thesis segments on schedule (typically once or twice a week), and to submit a final honors project that should be suitable for publication or other public performance or display. Weekly or twice-weekly one-on-one discussions with the track director will provide opportunity for surmounting problems and other obstacles that might stand in the way of a successful completion of the project. Prerequisite: PLA 4010 or permission of the director Social Sciences Track Social Sciences Honors Seminar II CRN: 15150, SSH 2010-001, Danielle Wallace, W, 2:00pm-4:40pm This seminar focuses on the various methodologies of the social sciences. As in SSH 2010, students read important social scientific studies in the original. Here, however, an effort is made to use such works, often drawn from scientific journals, as the basis for discussion of methodological questions. The seminar covers qualitative as well as quantitative approaches. Students will also attend to the problems associated with race, gender, class, culture, and political agendas as sources of bias in social scientific work. Honors Thesis I CRN: 13448, SSH 4010-001, Danielle Wallace, Meeting time TBA The primary goal of this course is to enable students to launch a significant honors research project that they will complete in SSH 4020. Prior to enrolling in the course, all students will have completed SSH 2020 - the honors methodology seminar - as well as relevant methodology courses in a particular discipline. In this small group course, students initiate their honors theses by conducting extensive reviews of the applicable social scientific literature. The ultimate goal for the semester is to develop realistic research proposals and, when possible, to begin implementing these proposals. As a group, the class explores various research strategies and, in particular, focuses on overcoming the roadblocks that frequently emerge during the course of any serious research project. Students are required to produce frequent written progress reports and a formal research proposal that should, in most cases, become (with adaptation) a portion of their thesis write-up. Students are encouraged to assist each other when possible and to offer constructive feedback on each other's proposals. Social Sciences Honors Thesis II CRN: 13449, SSH 4020-001, Danielle Wallace, Meeting Time TBA The primary goal of this course is to enable students to complete and successfully defend a significant honors research project (started in SSH 4010). Students are required to produce chapters or thesis segments on schedule and to submit a final honors thesis that should (in most cases) be suitable for publication or presentation at a social scientific conference. Class meetings involve group discussions of the research process and collective efforts to solve problems and facilitate successful completion of the projects. Prerequisite: SSH 4010
