Courses in the Honors College
Please note: this list may be incomplete and will be updated as new information is received. If you have questions about the following courses, please contact honors@wsu.edu.
A wide variety of course topics are available to Honors College students. Please check back often, as changes may occur until the semester begins. Need an appointment with an Honors College Advisor? Schedule an appointment here.
Course descriptions are intended to provide general information about the scope of the class, the name of the faculty member teaching it, credits, and texts. All descriptions are posted as soon as possible the semester preceding so students can consider their options and plan accordingly. Listings from previous semesters are located at the bottom of this page.
Summer 2024
HONORS 270
Principles and Research Methods in Social Science
(online asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Sergey Lapin and Jennifer Schwartz
Dates: May 6 – June 16
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 asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Annie Lampman
Dates: June 17 – July 26
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.
*This course qualifies as credit for the MESI Certificate.
Required Course Materials:
- Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway, ISBN#: 9780226616698
- Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction: 50 North American Stories since 1970, 2nd Edition, Michael Martone, ISBN#: 9781416532279
- 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 asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Joanna Schultz
Dates: May 6 – June 16
Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student. Any B, BSCI, P, PSCI, or SCI lab or concurrent enrollment.
Dog Tales
This summer you will have the opportunity to examine the many attributes of Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog. Researchers state this is the most exciting time ever to study the domestic dog. 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, you will examine the domestic dog precursors, the multiple origins of domestic dogs, and the ancient and recent breeds. You will also investigate the areas of research important to understand our close relationship with dogs and why this species has evolved to be humans’ favored “best friend.”
You will read and discuss the following topics: C. lupus familiaris’ (the domestic dog’s) diversification from Canis lupus (the grey wolf), which is the domestic dog’s closest relative, human — dog co-evolution, cognitive function and behavior in the domestic dog, artificial selection for phenotypic traits in modern breeds, genetic consequences of breeding, and other topics. 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 from peer reviewed literature as well as popular press and various media, including films and videos, and engage in peer discussion.
HONORS 370
Case Study: Global Issues in Social Sciences
(online asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Brenna Miller
Dates: June 17 – July 26
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 asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Annie Lampman
Dates: June 17 – July 26
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.
*This course qualifies as credit for the MESI Certificate.
Required Course Text:
- Tell it Slant, Third Edition, Brenda Miller & Suzanne Paola, ISBN#: 9781260454598
- Short Takes: Brief Encounters with Contemporary Nonfiction, Judith Kitchen, ISBN#: 9780393326000
- Now Write! Nonfiction, Sherry Ellis, ISBN #9781585427581Into Nature: A Creative Field Guide and Journal, The Mindfulness Project, ISBN#: 9781615194803
HONORS 390
Case Study: Global Issues in Sciences
(online asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Joanna Schultz
Dates: June 17 – July 26
Welcome to the Anthropocene
The geologic record clearly documents five major extinction events throughout Earth’s history. We are now undergoing a “Sixth Extinction”, caused by anthropogenic impacts. This summer, you will examine these six extinctions, with particular attention to the ongoing Anthropocene extinction events, its causes, rates, implications, and similarities and differences with past extinction events. You will also investigate anthropogenic extinctions vs. background extinction rates, climate change (causes), biodiversity (loss vs. what can be done), alternative energy sources, natural resources (exploitation vs. needs), sustainable living, government policies, hope or a grim future, among other topics.
Course readings will reflect course content and will be chosen from two excellent non-fiction book sources. You will engage in discussion via the Canvas Discussion Board Forum and watch documentary films and videos on a range of topics.
Required Course Materials:
- “Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future” by Elizabeth Kolbert (2021) Crown Publishing, New York ISBN 9780593136270, ISBN e-book 9780593136294
- “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 asynchronous course through WSU Global Campus)
Instructor: Annie Lampman
Dates: June 17 – July 26
Prerequisite: Must be a current Honors student; sophomore standing.
This is a seminar-style course with the purpose of assisting and supporting each participant in completing his/her Honors thesis proposal. In the course, you will generate an Honors thesis topic, formulate your thesis question, identify a thesis advisor, and prepare you thesis proposal. We will discuss ways to structure your thesis, perform research, and evaluate the information you obtain in relation to your chosen topic. During the course, we will discuss and constructively support and critique projects as they develop in the proposals. Each student will present their proposal to the class, and submit a complete proposal—including title, introduction, research question, methodology, and annotated bibliography—as a final product. S/F grading.