HN 150: The Honors Experience
To pursue the Honors Program diploma, students must take HN 150: The Honors Experience, generally as their first honors course. This is an interdisciplinary course embedded in the Social Sciences that introduces students to the rigors of the Honors Program. It uses New York City as a backdrop to study political, demographic, economic, technological, cultural, scientific, and labor issues specific to major events or time periods in the history of this remarkable metropolis. The specific themes and eras studied vary each academic year. Faculty with expertise in particular fields of study will lecture during the semester offering the perspective of their fields of specialization. Students are expected to complete reading assignments, participate in classroom discussions, take part in site visits, and conduct extensive research including use of primary source material. As a culminating assignment, the students present a final project that reflects the information they have learned, both in the classroom and through their own investigation, as well as, their own critical thinking and analysis. This course fosters the development of a community of scholars among the students in the program.
HN 250: The Evolution of the American Presidency
There can be little doubt that no elected position of leadership carries the weight of the American Presidency today. Decisions made in the White House have started and ended wars, caused and cured economic crises, expanded and contracted human rights. The country was brought together by one president and held together by another. Some great presidents, especially in the 20th century, were associated with great wars. Others were associated with economic hardship or political scandal. Some great generals became obscure presidents while some obscure private citizens became great presidents. Using the careers of these seven, students will explore the processes of decision-making and, at the same time, develop (or enhance) an ability to write historical biography. Combining a study of the human mind, significant events in United States history and the writing skills of noted biographers such as David McCullough and Edmund Morris, students will learn to critically examine the lives and decisions of American presidents, but, more importantly, to communicate their findings in a clear, concise essay. They will be expected to study both primary sources to learn what the "great" men thought of themselves and secondary sources to see what others thought of them. Several short essays will be completed during the semester, but the "grand project" will be a major essay critically detailing the presidency of one of the seven.
HN 260: The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Movement in the 20th Century
This interdisciplinary course uses the study of the Holocaust to investigate causes and lessons of other modern genocides. Besides readings, videos, and museum visits, lecturers with particular expertise and experiences will offer their perspectives during the semester. Students will complete reading assignments, participate in classroom discussions, take part in site visits, and conduct research on genocidal conditions and responses. As a culminating project, the students present a final project that reflects the information they learned in the classroom and through their own investigation and analyses. This course fosters the development of a community of scholars, guiding them to become global citizens and "upstanders" for social justice. |
