Summer 2023

HONORS 270
Principles and Research Methods in Social Science
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Sergey Lapin

Prerequisite: Must be an Honors Student

Data Science and Modern Society: An Introduction

Data and data analytics are playing an increasing role in our day-to-day life. In modern society, the amount of data available and processed increases every year. We all are affected by these new approaches to data analysis, directly or indirectly. Thus, data literacy, including knowing the basics of data analytics, has become a fundamental skill everyone needs.

For those seeking to understand and influence the world around them, the ability to understand, manage and communicate using data is an essential skill. Social scientists analyze data about human behavior to explain and predict various social phenomenon, leading to pragmatic solutions to societal problems. Such inquiry-driven analyses give meaning and purpose to the vast amounts of available information, making a positive social impact. This course intersects data science and social science. Data science provides the tools to better understand and address longstanding and emergent social problems.
This class introduces the field of data science in a practical and accessible manner. It utilizes a hands-on approach with real world social applications and assumes no prior knowledge of the subject. This class will teach basics of data and data processing and social analysis. We will also cover implications of the use of data in areas such as privacy and ethics. We will critically examine use of data science in a broad range of modern society’s activities: such as politics, healthcare, public safety, finance and more. Students will apply the skills they learn.

HONORS 280*
Contextual Understanding in the Arts and Humanities
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Annie Lampman

Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student

Creative Writing: Fiction, The Short Story

This is a creative writing course that introduces students to the art and craft of short-form fiction writing. We will read, analyze, and discuss award-winning short stories, complete writing exercises, and write two short stories while working to explore and develop short-story craft elements including characterization, point-of-view, dialogue, plot, scene and summary, setting, and the use of metaphorical language and themes. Throughout the semester, each student will have one of their short stories workshopped with written peer reviews and instructor feedback provided. No previous creative writing experience is necessary, although strong general writing abilities are required to do well in this course. This is also a MESI course where you will keep a mindfulness journal that is meant to correlate to you creative work.

Required Course Materials

1. Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway, ISBN#: 9780226616698

2. Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction: 50 North American Stories since 1970, 2nd Edition, Michael Martone, ISBN#: 9781416532279

3. I Am Here Now: A Creative Mindfulness Guide and Journal, The Mindfulness Project, ISBN#: 9780399184444

*This course qualifies as credit for the MESI Certificate.

HONORS 290
Science as a Way of Knowing
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Joanna Schultz

Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Any B, BSCI, P, PSCI, or SCI lab or concurrent enrollment.

How Much Wolf is in Your Dog?

This summer we will examine the origins of the domestic dog. In recent years, researchers have taken a keen interest in our dog companions for a variety of reasons. I am a “dog person”, but as an evolutionary biologist, the wealth of research on domestic dog evolution and artificial selection for the over 200 AKC recognized dog breeds fascinate me. Therefore, we will examine the domestic dog precursors, the multiple origins of domestic dogs, and the ancient and recent breeds. However, we will also delve into the co-evolution of Homo sapiens and Canis lupus familiaris, beginning with the ancient relationship between early humans and wolves, C. lupus. Our studies will include selection for canine morphological and behavioral traits and how artificial selection in breeding results in deleterious mutations over time. Other topics we will discuss include feral dog populations, domestic dog use in modern medicine, among others. According to one researcher…. without the human-dog relationship, our society would never have advanced to its current levels. The course will use the Canvas Discussion Board Forum. You will be assigned readings, various media, including films and videos, and engage in peer discussion.

HONORS 370
Case Study: Global Issues in Social Sciences
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Brenna Miller

Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student; HONORS 270 or ECONS 198.

Everyday Life in 20th Century Eastern Europe

Throughout the 20th century, Eastern Europe experienced dramatic changes and upheavals – from violent conflict to revolution, and regime change to collapse. In this class, we will explore how these upheavals shaped the experiences and daily lives of individuals and communities throughout the region. In case studies spanning from World War I and revolution through the collapse of communism, we will explore both changes and continuities experienced by everyday people in politics, labor, housing, family and gender, material culture, fashion, leisure, sport, technology, and even identity. In doing so, we will consider both similarities and differences in the daily lives of different social groups, as well as the relationship between macro-level historical conditions, and the micro-level experiences of everyday life.

In addition, you will also have the opportunity to select a case-study in Eastern Europe and conduct research examining an element in the patterns of daily life within that society. Through this assignment, you will utilize the research skills developed in Honors 270, and further develop skills in creative and critical thinking, information literacy, and secondary and primary source analysis. The project will culminate in a paper and a digital presentation to classmates.

HONORS 380 *
Case Study: Global Issues in the Arts and Humanities
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Annie Lampman

Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student; HONORS 280.

Creative Writing: Memoir & Creative Nonfiction

In this creative writing course we will examine the role of memoir and personal narrative in shaping and defining how we see and experience the world. Through readings and analysis, discussion, and a variety of in-class writing exercises and essay/memoir writing work, we will explore the following questions: As global citizens, how can we represent our own experiences and stories through creative writing in a way that is universally understood and felt? How do we (and the authors we read) define/explore/write about the issues that trouble or fascinate us? What are we (and the authors we read) struggling to make sense of or understand about our own lives and the world around us? Throughout the semester, we will work on developing the basic craft elements of creative nonfiction and each student will have one of their essays “workshopped” with written peer reviews and oral feedback provided. No previous creative writing experience is necessary, although strong general writing abilities are required to do well in this course. This is also a MESI course where you will keep a mindfulness journal that is meant to correlate to you creative work.

Required Course Materials

1. Tell it Slant, Third Edition, Brenda Miller & Suzanne Paola, ISBN#: 9781260454598

2. Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction, Judith Kitchen, ISBN#: 9780393326000

3. Now Write! Nonfiction, Sherry Ellis, ISBN #9781585427581

4. Into Nature: A Creative Field Guide and Journal, The Mindfulness Project, ISBN#: 9781615194803

*This course qualifies as credit for the MESI Certificate.

HONORS 390
Case Study: Global Issues in Sciences
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Joanna Schultz

An Investigation of Earth’s Anthropogenic Impacts

The geologic record clearly documents five major extinctions throughout Earth’s history. We are now undergoing a “Sixth Extinction” event, caused by anthropogenic impacts. This Summer, we will examine climate change and these six extinctions, with particular attention to the Anthropocene extinction event, its causes, rates, implications, and similarities and differences with past extinctions.
Course readings will reflect course content and will be chosen from the primary literature and non-fiction book sources. We will engage in discussion via the Canvas Discussion Board Forum, watch excellent films on a range of topics related to climate change and biodiversity.

Required Course Materials

1.“Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future” by Elizabeth Kolbert (2021) Crown Publishing Group ISBN- 978-0-593-13627-0

2. “Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life” by EO Wilson (2016) Liveright Publishing ISBN-10: 9781631490826 ISBN-13: 9781631490828

HONORS 398
Honors Thesis Proposal Seminar
(Online course – register through WSU’s Global Campus Summer 2023 Schedule)

Instructor: Annie Lampman

Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student; sophomore standing.