Pierre Laclede Honors College

Courses

HONORS 1100 Honors First-Year Writing: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course, the first in the Honors College writing sequence, is required and should be taken during freshman year. Through formal and informal writing assignments, discussion, instruction, and research, students will improve their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills, and their research techniques. The course is designed to help students meet the rigorous challenges of college writing across the disciplines by emphasizing intellectual inquiry, logic, style, correct and concise expression, and formal research and documentation. This course fulfills the University's general education first year writing requirement.

HONORS 1110 Western Traditions: Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. All Western Traditions seminars will be based on the reading and discussion of works of exceptional importance in the development of western culture and civilization. The works to be discussed in each seminar will follow a central theme (defined by its particular relevance to the traditional academic disciplinary areas of the humanities, arts, social sciences, mathematics, or sciences) but will relate that theme to wider developments in Western Traditions and to the American concept of a liberal education.

HONORS 1130 Western Traditions: Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. All Western Traditions seminars will be based on the reading and discussion of works of exceptional importance in the development of western culture and civilization. The works to be discussed in each seminar will follow a central theme (defined by its particular relevance to the traditional academic disciplinary areas of the humanities, arts, social sciences, mathematics, or sciences) but will relate that theme to wider developments in Western Traditions and to the American concept of a liberal education.

HONORS 1150 Western Traditions: The Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. All Western Traditions seminars will be based on the reading and discussion of works of exceptional importance in the development of western culture and civilization. The works to be discussed in each seminar will follow a central theme (defined by its particular relevance to the traditional academic disciplinary areas of the humanities, arts, social sciences, mathematics, or sciences) but will relate that theme to wider developments in Western Traditions and to the American concept of a liberal education.

HONORS 1200 Freshman Symposium: Cultural Traditions I - Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course surveys Western and non-Western cultural traditions from their beginnings until the 1700s. It will introduce the intellectual traditions of a wide variety of cultures through major works of literature, religion and philosophy. This course will approach texts and materials from a humanities perspective.

HONORS 1201 Freshman Symposium: Cultural Traditions II - Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course surveys Western and non-Western cultural traditions from the 1700s to current times. It will introduce intellectual traditions of a wide variety of cultures through major works of literature, religion and philosophy. This course will approach texts and materials from a humanities perspective.

HONORS 1202 Freshman Symposium: Cultural Traditions I - Social Science: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course surveys Western and non-Western cultural traditions from their beginnings until the 1700s. It will introduce the intellectual traditions of a wide variety of cultures through major works of literature, religion, history, and political theory. This course will approach texts and materials from a social science perspective.

HONORS 1203 Freshman Symposium: Cultural Traditions II - Social Science: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course surveys Western and non-Western cultural traditions from the 1700s. It will introduce the intellectual traditions of a wide variety of cultures through major works of literature, religion, history, science and political theory. This course will approach texts and materials from a social science perspective.

HONORS 1230 American Traditions: Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Honors seminars in the American Traditions series involve reading and discussion of texts of major importance in the development of the culture, politics, ideologies, and values which are or have been characteristic of the United States of America. Every American Traditions seminar will cover a broad range of time, and each may include contemporary issues. Any course in the American Traditions sequence may be taken to satisfy one of the 'core' requirements for the American Studies Minor. This course satisfies the University's general equilibrium American history and government requirement.

HONORS 1310 Non-Western Traditions Series Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Seminars focus on different topics in the humanities but address themes and problems in non-western cultures that are related to the freshmen core classes (HONORS 1200 and HONORS 1201). These topics will be examined in depth through reading discussion, and students will produce formal papers and participate in individual or small group presentations.

HONORS 1330 Non-Western Traditions Series-Social Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Seminars focus on different topics in the social sciences but address themes and problems in non-western cultures that are related to the freshmen core classes (HONORS 1200 and HONORS 1201). These topics will be examined in depth through reading discussion, and students will produce formal papers and participate in individual or small group presentations.

HONORS 2001 Topics in Communication Proficiency: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Honors courses approved for Core: Communication Proficiency in UMSL's General Education program.

HONORS 2002 Topics in Information Literacy: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Honors topics approved for Core: Information Literacy in UMSL's General Education program.

HONORS 2003 Topics in American History and Government: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Honors topics approved for Core: American History and Government in UMSL's General Education program.

HONORS 2010 Inquiries in The Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one of more disciplinary strategies. Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2020 Inquiries in the Fine and Performing Arts: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one or more disciplinary strategies. Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2030 Inquiries in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one or more disciplinary strategies. Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2040 Inquiries in Mathematics and Computing: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. HONORS 2040 Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements in the Explore area of Math and Life/Natural Sciences. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2050 Inquiries in the Natural Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one or more disciplinary strategies. Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2051 Inquiries in the Sciences: Laboratory or Field Work: 1 semester hour

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This course develops students' understanding of how the experimental procedures of the life and physical sciences are used to collect data and to develop and test scientific hypotheses. HONORS 2051 is taken as a required companion course to specific sections of HONORS 2050, (Inquiries in the Sciences), when laboratory or field work experience is essential to students' understanding of and competence in the scientific subject matter of the companion section of HONORS 2050.

HONORS 2060 Inquiries in Business: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one or more disciplinary strategies. Courses in the 2060 series of courses, "Inquiries in Business," satisfy the Social Science area of General Education. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2080 Inquiries in Nursing: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Inquiries seminars focus on the particular contributions academic disciplines can make to relatively broad areas of inquiry, and reading, discussion, writing and where appropriate laboratory work or field trips will enhance students' understanding of the strengths, frailties, and particular characteristics of one or more disciplinary strategies. Inquiries courses may be used to meet relevant General Education requirements. Where special arrangements have been agreed, they can meet more specific departmental and divisional requirements. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 2310 Cultural Diversity in the Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This seminar focuses upon cultural diversity themes, texts, and perspectives within the humanities.

HONORS 2330 Cultural Diversity in the Social Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This seminar focuses upon cultural diversity themes, texts, and perspectives within the social sciences.

HONORS 3001 Topics in Global Awareness: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Honors topics approved by the College of Business for their Global Awareness requirement.

HONORS 3010 Advanced Honors Seminar in the Humanities: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Open only to Honors College students and not acceptable for graduate credit. Usually restricted to Juniors and Seniors, these advanced seminars focus on in-depth study of a significant body of subject matter. The perspective employed will normally be interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary and will underscore the value of making connections between diverse areas of study. These courses will not usually require specific prerequisites, but may (with the consent of the appropriate department or division) be taken as major or minor courses. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 3020 Advanced Honors Seminar in the Fine and Performing Arts: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Open only to Honors College students and not acceptable for graduate credit. Usually restricted to Juniors and Seniors, these advanced seminars focus on in-depth study of a significant body of subject matter. The perspective employed will normally be interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary and will underscore the value of making connections between diverse areas of study. These courses will not usually require specific prerequisites, but may (with the consent of the appropriate department or division) be taken as major or minor courses. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 3030 Advanced Honors Seminar in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Open only to Honors College students and not acceptable for graduate credit. Usually restricted to Juniors and Seniors, these advanced seminars focus on in-depth study of a significant body of subject matter. The perspective employed will normally be interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary and will underscore the value of making connections between diverse areas of study. These courses will not usually require specific prerequisites, but may (with the consent of the appropriate department or division) be taken as major or minor courses. The course number may be repeated for credit whenever the topic is substantially different.

HONORS 3100 Honors Advanced Composition: Writing The City: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: 48 credit hours and consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This Honors course enhances critical thinking, research, discussion and writing skills by focusing on the city of St. Louis and on the specific fields of study of those enrolled. Issues such as depth and development of content, voice, style, tone, correct expression, and research techniques are among the topics emphasized. This course is required for transfer students (two-year Honors Program) and an elective for students on the four-year program. HONORS 3100 fulfills the University's junior-level writing requirement.

HONORS 3120 Honors Business Writing: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: 48 credit hours and consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This Honors course further develops the experienced writer's style and analytical capabilities to the level of sophistication necessary for upper-division writing assignments and for business and professional settings. Writing assignments may include business correspondence, reports, resumes, proposals, analyses, feasibility studies, and articles for in-house publications. The course emphasizes clarity, conciseness, organization, format, style, tone and mechanical correctness; expands upon students' research and documentation skills; and requires research in university libraries. Formal assignments, including one large project and several informal papers, are required for this challenging Honors course. HONORS 3120 fulfills the University's junior-level writing requirement.

HONORS 3160 Honors Writing in the Sciences: 3 semester hours

Prerequisites: 48 credit hours and consent of the Dean of the Honors College. This honors course is designed to meet the needs for students in the science disciplines; it will stress writing observation reports, academic journals, laboratory reports and a major project suited to the specific area of study of each student enrolled in the class. Instruction will include correct documentation of science sources, synthesis techniques of research information, technology-based research skills and effective laboratory reporting methods. Four formal papers, including one large project and several informal papers, will be required. HONORS 3160 fulfills the University's junior-level writing requirement.

HONORS 4100 Independent Portfolio Writing: 1-2 semester hours

Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Students in this course will meet with their instructor on a regular basis to discuss and revise their writing portfolio and write their master resume, career or academic resume, personal statements for graduate school, or other projects for careers or their futures. The course is required to be at least one hour and may be taken for two hours to allow for more personal time and assistance from the instructor.

HONORS 4900 Independent Study in Honors: 1-6 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Open only to Honors College students and not acceptable for graduate credit. Many Honors students will fulfill their Honors independent study requirements in another department or division of the university. Where this is not possible, the project may be undertaken as HONORS 4900. Students will complete substantial reading, research, and/or field work, and will be supervised by a permanent member of the Honors College academic staff.

HONORS 4910 Independent Study: Internships: 1-6 semester hours

Prerequisites: Consent of the Dean of the Honors College. Open only to Honors College Students. Students enrolled in HONORS 4910 work at on- or off-campus locations to gain practical experience while developing professional skills. Students work with an honors faculty member as they document and reflect on these experiences in journals and a final report.

Ed Munn Sanchez
Dean and Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Emory University

Kimberly Baldus
Associate Dean and Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Northwestern University

Rita Csapo-Sweet
Associate Professor
Ed.D., Harvard University

Dan Gerth
Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Student Services and Alumni Relations
M.A., University of Missouri - Columbia

Christoph Schiessl
Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Wayne State University

Katheryn Votaw
Associate Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Research Coordinator
Ph.D., St. Louis University

Lesley Sieger-Walls
Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Jason Vasser-Elong
Assistant Teaching Professor
M.F.A. , University of Missouri-St. Louis

Rob Wilson
Assistant Teaching Professor and Community Engagement Coordinator
Ph.D., St. Louis University

Robert Bliss
Associate Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Gerianne Friedline
Associate Teaching Professor Emerita
M.A., University of Missouri-St. Louis