HONR - Honors College

HONR 123  Hike and Read: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Restricted entrance; admission to the Honors College
Reading and analysis of a text in the humanities, arts, or sciences. Course held off campus for a weekend.

HONR 124  Ski and Read: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITES: Must be enrolled in the Honors College. HONR 201US
COREQUISITE: HONR 202IH. Reading and analysis of a text in the humanities, arts, or sciences. Course held off campus for a weekend. Honors College
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Repeatable up to 3 credits.

HONR 131  Freshman Research Symposium: 1 Credits (1 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Restricted entrance
Presentations of research by current MSU faculty. Tours of laboratory facilities at MSU. This course cannot be repeated.

HONR 200  Taking the Pulse of Montana in a Changing World: 3 Credits (2 Lab, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Honors College freshman students whom have been accepted for Fall entry. Climate change can be a tricky topic – a ‘trigger’ phrase in some communities that inspires derision by those skeptical that humans can alter our atmosphere and planetary systems. At the same time, the phrase might inspire an equally heartfelt level of scorn by those promoting (with, at least recently, little success) policies that should spur sharp reductions in human emissions of greenhouse gases so as to minimize the consequences of rising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Our broadest course objective is to improve students ‘climate literacy’ on four focal areas of Montana's economy

HONR 201US  Texts and Critics: Knowledge & Imagination I: 4 Credits (4 Other)

University Seminar in critical reading/analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, communication, social studies, science, and history of ideas. Socratic teaching methodology. Particular emphasis on development of analysis and criticism through argument, writing, and oral communication. Academic writing and oral argumentation presentations. Course may not be repeated.

HONR 202IH  Texts and Critics: Knowledge & Imagination II: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Restricted entrance; admission to the Honors College. Critical reading/analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, communication, social studies, science, and history of ideas. Socratic teaching methodology. Particular emphasis on development of analysis and criticism through argument, writing, and oral communication. Academic writing and oral argumentation presentations. Course may not be repeated

HONR 203  Finding Balance: A Climber's Journey: 3 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and 202IH, or HONR 301US. (F, Sp) This course sits at the confluence of the bodies somatic experience (as framed through the lens of climbing movement) and socio-political analysis, exploring how 21st century stressors like social media, hyper-partisan politics, global warming, Corona virus, and socio/economic inequity are experienced bodily and in turn how this effects our thinking. The central purpose of the course is to help students develop a conceptual and hands-on framework that supports both physical and mental wellness. Part philosophy, part physical practice, this course uses somatic modes of attention, putting into practice lessons in readings on Zen, Yoga, mindfulness, dance, and meditation. In addition, we will use climbing as a metaphor to explore “the wilderness within”—examining topics such as the psychology of risk, fear and stress, failure and success, ethics, and the body’s lived experience of politics, trauma, and social challenges . This course is open to all students; no previous climbing experience is needed

HONR 204D  Great Expeditions: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Restricted entrance; HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Preparation and execution of a journey paralleling a portion of a historically and/or culturally significant expedition. Students study the original expedition journals, history, social, scientific, artistic, and environmental context as well as plan their own expedition. The expedition usually occurs following the conclusion of spring semester and students are required to make a public presentation on the expedition and their specific research project during the subsequent semester
COREQUISITE: HONR 201 or HONR 202 or HONR 301
Repeatable up to 15 credits.

HONR 210  Mentoring Gifted Students: 2 Credits (2 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Restricted entrance; HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Honors students mentor gifted students from the Bozeman Public Schools. Students meet together in seminar discussion, plan and implement projects, and evaluate their projects
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

HONR 220  Introduction to Fundamental Rights and the United States Constitution: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITES: Completion of HONR 201 and HONR 202 and/or HONR 301
This seminar will provide students with an in-depth look at our basic rights to privacy and personal autonomy under the U.S. Constitution – particularly under the 4th, 5th and 14th Amendments. This course will also offer Honors students an introduction to U.S. Constitutional Law. From search and seizure to Roe v. Wade, students will explore the evolution of fundamental rights as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. The course will also compare federal law to distinctive privacy provisions in Montana’s Constitution.

HONR 275  Extreme Microbiology in Yellowstone: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Lab)

Yellowstone National Park (YNP), one of the world’s largest active volcanos, is home to over 14,000 geothermal features which serve as unique ecosystems for many uncharacterized and uncultured extremophilic (extreme-loving) microorganisms. This course will introduce you to the unique Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya inhabiting YNP’s geothermal hot springs. You will learn how microorganisms influence hot springs, contribute to the cycling of nutrients, and how these unique organisms are used in a variety of biotechnology applications. You will also visit these ecosystems on a 3-4 day field sampling trip, and through sample collection, laboratory work, and analyses you will develop culturing.

HONR 291  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Restricted entrance; HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 292  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Restricted entrance; HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Consent of instructor and approval of Dean. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

HONR 301US  Texts and Critics II: 4 Credits (4 Other)

Critical reading/analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, communication, social studies, science, and history of ideas. Socratic teaching methodology. Particular emphasis on development of analysis and criticism through argument, writing, and oral communication. Academic writing and oral argumentation presentations. Course may not be repeated.

HONR 319IA  The Transformative Power of Music: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and 202IH, or HONR 301US. This course will investigate the transformative power of music, through an exploration of the musical legacy of the Ancient Greeks, the role of music in cognitive development and its application in healthcare, the value of music education, and a discussion of significant works of music as manifested in social movements, and in cultural and religious contexts. Within the structure of a Socratic seminar, students will actively participate in the discourse. Students will also engage in the creation of a musical composition in small groups. The course will culminate in multi- and inter-disciplinary research projects, which will be presented in a public forum at the end of the term in Inspiration Hall. Note: No prior coursework in music or musical experience are required for this course

HONR 391  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: HONR 201US, HONR 202IH, or HONR 301US. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 400  Death Becomes Us: The Mystery of Mortality and the Need for Meaning: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US & HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Does it matter that we are the only creatures we know of who are aware of their own mortality? Does this awareness help shape our beliefs and therefore our behaviors? Might death anxiety undergird both our greatest triumphs and our most heartbreaking tragedies? To delve into these complex questions, this course will necessarily involve an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing the fields of philosophy, theology, psychology, history, mythology, literature, sociology, and science

HONR 405  The Creation of Fictional Worlds: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US & HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Students will research and explore the creation of speculative fiction settings in novels, cinema, theater, and graphic novels, and then devise original contemporary expressions of worldbuilding

HONR 406  Critical Perspectives in Leadership: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US & HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Leadership issues permeate every aspect of our lives. The purpose of this course is to encourage students to develop and exercise critical thinking skills concerning the different issues impacting leadership in the 21st century

HONR 407IA  Understanding Shakespeare from Folio to Performance: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US & HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Students will research, explore, and create contemporary expressions of the timeless human questions at the heart of Shakepeare's plays

HONR 408IN  Wolves in Yellowstone: A Social, Scientific and Visual Journey: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US & HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. An inquiry into historic and current attitudes towards wolves framed in the context of wolf reintroduction in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Students will also develop natural history photography skills through a combination of weekly in-class instruction, independent assignments, and 2-3 day trips to Yellowstone National Park and surrounding lands

HONR 411RS  The Art and Science of Medicine in Social Sciences: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201 and HONR 202 OR HONR 301. This seminar will focus on how broadly and profoundly contemporary medicine touches all lives. It will examine the underlying principles of medicine through the lens of literature, science, art and related fields

HONR 450  Advanced Honors Tutorial: 4-6 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Weekly seminar and tutorial supervision with extensive interdisciplinary reading, analytic writing, and oral argument, leading to comprehensive examinations. May be repeated
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 490R  Undergrad Rsch/Thesis: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Restricted entrance, HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US; Approval of Dean. Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research. May be repeated
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 491  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec, 1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Restricted entrance; HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 492  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US; Junior standing, consent of instructor and approval of Dean. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

HONR 494  Honors Seminar: 2-4 Credits (2-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494CS  Honors Seminar in Contemp Sci: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US
Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research.

HONR 494IA  Honors Seminar in Arts: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494IN  Honors Seminar in Nat Sciences: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494IS  Honors Seminar in Soc Sciences: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494RA  Honors Seminar in Arts: 2-4 Credits (2-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and require independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494RH  Honors Seminar in Humanities: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and require independent creativity/research. Cross-listed with HONR 494RS
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494RN  Honors Seminar in Natural Sci: 2-4 Credits (2-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and require independent creativity/research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

HONR 494RS  Honors Seminar in Soc Sciences: 4 Credits (4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: HONR 201US and HONR 202IH or HONR 301US. Advanced Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses which emphasize class discussion, development of analytic thinking and writing skills, and encourage independent creativity/research. Cross-listed with HONR 494RH
Repeatable up to 99 credits.