Honors Program

Fall Term 2009

University Seminar Honors Section Offerings

Topic, “Ethical Thinking for the 21st Century: Personal, Social/Political, Professional”
USem 101H: Personal Ethical Thinking for the 21st Century
Students will explore several models of ethical thinking that will be analyzed and critiqued for their relevance to the 21st century. From this analysis, a working definition of ethical thinking will serve as the basis for a critical self-examination of how personal decisions and actions affect our most intimate relationships and actions. Students will then compare and contrast their findings with ethical thinkers who have made a difference in the lives of others. Finally, students will discern not only what ethical thinking is and how it works but also will begin developing their own model for ethical thinking.Instructor: Carol Voisin. Register for CRN 2293, 12:00-1:50pm MW

Topic, “Self-Community-World”
USem 101H: Economics and Society
As members of local, regional, state-wide, national and global communities, we have an obligation to understand important social issues in those communities. This sequence of courses will prepare us to explore those issues, examine our own values and perspectives, and to discover opinions, research, and data that can inform our opinions, and to communicate what we learn to a variety of audiences. Our exploration will come from a social science perspective with a particular focus on using basic economic tools. Instructor: Gentry. Register for CRN 2292, 10:00am-11:50am MW. 

Topic, “Biology at the Crossroads”

USem 101H: Biological Issues and the Individual
Explore biomedical topics relating to your own well-being. Learn to evaluate scientific arguments and make informed decisions that affect your life. Possible topics include biomedical ethics, such as drug development for profit vs. humanitarian motives, economic and social inequities, issues of new biomedical technology and patient rights, alternative treatments, emerging diseases, and misuse of antibiotics. There will be a required, community-based service learning project. Instructor: Charles Welden. Register for CRN 2294, 12:00-1:50pm TR.

Topic, “Ethical Thinking for the 21st Century: Personal, Social/Political, Professional”
USem 102H: Social/Political Ethical Thinking for the 21st Century
Students will survey the "seven social sins" of Western culture in order to discern the bankruptcy of ethical thinking in the 20th century. From this analysis, students will explore ways to restore integrity and justice to the social/political realm that has fallen prey to greed, to the abuse of power, and to neglect. Students will compare and contrast their thinking with the ethical thinkers of the 21st century in order to lay a foundation for social/political ethical thinking that is viable for them as it relates to their personal ethical thinking Instructor: Carol Voisin. Register for CRN 2299, 2:00-3:50pm MW

For other Honors Program Course offerings, download the Fall 2009 Course Flyer (PDF)