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
.
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

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1.Collaborative learning: Students will discuss course material with other students (both with their peers and upper classmen Honors mentors) and faculty in an interactive, non-isolated model of learning.

2.Development of Academic Skills and Confidence: Students will gain confidence in their ability to succeed as a result of engaging with others in an immersive and interactive learning environment.

3. Sense of Belonging to an Academic Community: Students will interact with other members of the Honors community at MSU and establish a connection around a shared activity and interest.

HONR 125 Tippet Rise Art Expedition: 1 Credits (1 Other)

(F) Honors College students only. Travel to Tippet Rise Art Center to attend world-class concerts, view large-scale art installations, and explore a unique model of land and business management. Learn about creative processes through readings, lectures and direct interactions with performing artists.

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demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the art, music and the natural environment of Tippet Rise.
describe the creative processes in art and music.
discuss the affective response to experiencing art and music in the unique setting of Tippet Rise and its connection to the broader human experience.
explain how Tippet Rise implements sustainable land management, renewable energy practices and hospitality management.

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 141 Honors Research Symposium: 1 Credits (1 Other)

(F) This symposium provides a focused and interactive forum to introduce highly motivated students to the exciting fields and opportunities for undergraduate research at MSU.
Repeatable up to 2 credits.

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

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To meet these course objectives, students will:
a. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the limits of climate science for policy- and decision-making
b. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of environmental and societal impacts of and solutions to climate change
c. Demonstrate the skills for effective communication among diverse climate change stakeholders
d. Demonstrate greater competency in writing (blogposts and journals)
e. Demonstrate an improved understanding of the contemporary issues related to climate change facing a broad cross-section of present and future generations of Montanans

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.

View Course Outcomes:

Students will apply critical reading and analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, literature, philosophy, culture and history.
Students will develop and refine their analytical skills through the construction or critiques of arguments, through written and oral communication.
Students will synthesize texts utilized throughout the semester, resulting in a culminating thesis proposal, thesis paper and an in-class oral presentation.

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

View Course Outcomes:

Students will apply critical reading and analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, literature, philosophy, culture and history.
Students will develop and refine their analytical skills through the construction or critiques of arguments, through written and oral communication.
Students will synthesize texts utilized in Texts and Critics I and II, resulting in a culminating project through an in-class oral presentation

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

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Critically explore the connection between the mind and body through readings, discussion, and physical practice.
Develop a repertoire of practices to improve mental and physical climbing skills and practice the body-mind connection through movement.
Draw from the readings and experiences in the course to develop a better sense of self as articulated through writings, discussion, and movement.
Articulate a sense of place that is developed through tactile movement and relate this to environmental ethic.
Articulate how societal factors (social, political, economic, etc.) shape the way we move our bodies.
Learn and practice the fundamentals of physical training for climbing.\\n\\n

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.

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Explain, using analytical and critical analysis, of diversity within societies, nations and cultures.\\n
Completion of a research project, inspired by the student’s academic interest/s, theme of the course and country/countries visited.
Demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the language(s) spoken in the country visited during this short-term study-abroad course.
Explain the historical, political, cultural and or/social forces impacting the country/countries of the particular Great Expeditions offering.

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.

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describe complex issues in legal cases and the underlying law presented therein
identify a legal principle in the assigned readings and present an analysis of whether the case was rightly or wrongly decided
integrate and articulate their own analysis of the legal principles presented in class

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.

View Course Outcomes:

Students will apply critical reading and analysis of fundamental texts in the humanities, arts, literature, philosophy, culture and history.
Students will develop and refine their analytical skills through the construction or critiques of arguments, through written and oral communication.
Students will synthesize texts utilized throughout the semester, resulting in a culminating thesis proposal, thesis paper and an in-class oral presentation.

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

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Create, perform, and record an original piece of music\\n
Effectively communicate the role and value of music in education, healthcare, cognitive development and in society
Evaluate the transformative impact of music on areas of interest to each student

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

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Within the structure of this course students will:\\n1. Critically explore the role of mortality anxiety in the creation of human culture and attendant meaning systems.
2. Critically assess the impact of mortality awareness on the meaningfulness/meaninglessness of human life. \\n
3. Investigate whether humans project death anxiety on other people, cultures, and the environment as a means of coping.
4. Design an experiment, inspired by Terror Management Theory research, testing the relationship between our fear of death and human behaviors.\\n
5. Monitor and record any impact on their own beliefs as a result of seminar discussions/readings regarding mortality (see Thanatos Journal below).\\n
6. Engage in collaborative inquiry in an atmosphere of co-created mutual respect.

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

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Identify core design principles in novels, films, plays, and graphic novels, and interpret them for a general audience.
Evaluate cultural, ethical, and even physical assumptions constructing "the rules of the world" in these works and also the world in which we live.\\n
Assess a diverse array of worldbuilding processes, and synthesize that assessment into a working theory of narrative design.
Deploy that working theory to construct a viable world building artifact of one's own.\\n
Communicate a clear presentation of the process used to create the artifact, and defend it.

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

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Explain the primary theories, concepts, and perspectives on leadership, focusing on the link between individual leadership and the societal changes going on all around us.
Analyze and resolve problems related to the leadership of people that you might encounter now and in the future.
Reflect on their own strengths and the challenges in relation to the critical leadership issues during 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

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Identify core facets of a Shakespeare play and interpret them for a general audience
Distinguish distinct verse/prose patterns and emotional tropes\\n
Clearly deploy linguistic and emotional patterns to communicate core concepts
Devise a production concept for the play and defend it\\n
Compose a scene that communicates a core value or values of their play

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

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Students will be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing about the social and ecological effects of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone.
Students will be able to comprehend primary scientific literature and understand how it is used to inform management policy inside and outside Yellowstone.\\n
Students will be able to critically evaluate the content and quality of scientific studies through the development of a critical thinking toolkit that will allow them to answer: Are hypotheses falsifiable? Is the study internally consistent? Is the study consistent with other studies, and if not, why? Does the study correctly cite prior researchers? \\n
Students will be able to apply their knowledge of science and historical and current societal attitudes to unpack and understand controversies from the perspectives of all parties. Empathy overlaying broad knowledge is the goal here.\\n
Students will be able to devise management solutions that represent reasonable compromise, based on social concerns and scientific evidence. \\n\\n
Students will be able to defend a management or conservation strategy.\\n

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

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Analyze the pros and cons of illness memoirs, past and present, with an eye toward their effect on communicating the experience of\\nillness to the non-sufferer.
Narrate the highlights, in the history of medicine, of how past medical mistakes have informed the current practice of medicine.
Distinguish between the ‘art’ and the ‘science’ of medicine, and outline how this difference can affect medical outcomes.
Adopt a critical perspective on the forces that medicalize human conditions and identify specific cases in our world today.

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)

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)

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

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

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)