Freshman Seminar
Sophomore Seminars
HNR 210  Arts in Society
HNR 220  Introduction to Political Culture and Practice - Sections M004, M008- FULL
HNR 230  Scientific Issues and Practice

Thesis Project Honors Seminars:

BEN 497  Senior Thesis I
BIO 419  Biology Honors Seminar
HNR 309  Thesis/Project Planning Seminar
HNR 409  Thesis/Project Execution Seminar

Students are assigned randomly to the various sections of the Freshman Honors Seminar.  Since this is the All-University Honors Program, the students are from all of the schools and colleges within Syracuse University.  Each seminar section is led by a member of the Syracuse University faculty, aided by a "junior assistant" who is usually a third-year student in the Honors Program.  The seminar runs for approximately the first 10-12 weeks of the semester, ending no later than the week following Thanksgiving in order to avoid interfering with students' study time in preparation for final exams.  The aims of the Freshman Honors Seminar are:  (1) to build a sense of community among a small group of freshmen from all across the campus and to aid them in the transition from high school to college; and (2) to introduce students to the world of ideas and the life of the mind.

This seminar is an experienced-based introduction to the Arts in the City of Syracuse. Students will attend a production at the Syracuse Opera, Syracuse Symphony, Syracuse Stage (an Equity theatre), an event at Crouse College, and will visit the Everson Museum. Background information is presented in class prior to each event. Students write reviews of each event afterwards and discuss the performances in class.

Note that there is a $43 course fee to cover costs of tickets.  For more information, see the on-line syllabus (as of early summer 2004).

HNR 220  Introduction to Political Culture and Practice
Each section is 1 credit, pass/fail grading.  The various sections of this seminar will focus on the exploration of civic life in the wider Syracuse community.  Different approaches for this exploration will be explored in different sections:

"Haudenosaunee" means "People who build" and it is the proper name of the People of the Longhouse:  the Mohawks ("Keepers of the Eastern Door"), Oneidas, Onondagas ("Keepers of the Fire"), Cayugas, Senecas ("Keepers of the Western Door"), and Tuscaroras.  Their oral tradition states that they originated in the Northeastern Woodlands of North America, also called Turtle Island.  They have never left.  The Haudenosaunee are the original inhabitants of this land.  The Chiefs and Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee acknowledge the following:

Culture of Violence
Sec M004: Th 4-5:20 p.m., Room TBA, #18365 - FULL
Start Date: Thursday, September 9, 2004 (Second week of classes)
Instructor: Professor Mark Muhammad , Speech Communication

This seminar will provide an overview of the issue of gangs and juvenile gun violence. We will discuss the problem in Syracuse and examine some of the efforts to curb violence in our community. The seminar is designed to increase students' knowledge about, and reduce the fear of, organized youth groups (gangs) in urban areas, particularly Syracuse.

Refugee Communities in Syracuse
Section M005:  W 4:30-5:50, 205 NCCI, #12600
Start Date:  September 8, 2004
Instructor:  Hope Wallis, Program Director, Refugee Resettlement Program

Over the last 20 years refugees from many countries, including Viet Nam, Somalia, Sudan, Cuba, Bosnia, Iraq, have resettled in Syracuse.  This course enables participating students to develop a basic understanding of U.S. immigration and refugee policies and their effect on the men, women, and children who resettle in the Central New York area, and in Syracuse in particular.   Wh do they come to Syracuse?   What is their new life in Syracuse like? How do these newcomers contribute to the larger community? How do they become part of the larger community?

Students will answer these questions through experiential exercises, group discussion, reading, and talking with refugees and immigrants.

The course will explore the impact of public policy, physical and mental health, economics, school and children's education, and citizenship training on the lives of refugees and immigrants.

Islamic Community
Sec M006: Wednesdays 4:30-5:50 p.m., Room TBA, # 12601
Start Date:  Wednesday, September 8, 2004 (Second week of classes)
Instructor:  Professor Shaw J. Dallal, Maxwell School

The word "Islam" means peaceful submission to God thus making Islam a religion devoted to peace. Islam is also the religion and culture of one and a quarter billion people throughout the world. Muslims are the majority in forty-five countries. It is the second largest religion in the world, and one of the world's five major faiths. It is the fastest growing one, the tenets and culture of which merit understanding, especially during these critical times. This seminar will explore some ideas about Islamic culture, civilization, and art. We will also discuss the present political and international environment. We will explore the question "Why do they hate us?" We will discuss also, in the context of the military attack against Iraq, the political ramifications of confronting Islam and Muslims militarily.

Special emphasis will be placed on the countries in and around the Middle East region, as well as the Muslim community in the Syracuse area and similar Islamic communities in the United States. In the current political environment, our local community is inextricably linked with the global community. Students are encouraged to come to the class with open minds and the willingness to explore these many issues.

Race Dialogue Circle - FULL
Sec M008: M 4:30-6:30 p.m., 304C Bowne, #12602
Start Date:  Monday, September 13, 2004
Instructor:   Professors Carrie Jefferson Smith and Peg Miller

"EndInjustice: Race Dialogue Circle" is a curriculum developed by SU faculty and students as well as faculty and students from the Syracuse School District. Racially-mixed groups of approximately 12 people meet for seven sessions of two hours each. These dialogue groups have their roots in the city-wide Race Dialogue Project and are intended to provide opportunities for honest conversations about race and racism, to offer a format for learning from the experiences of others, and to create practical recommendations for actions that organizations, institutions, and individuals can take to improve race relations and racial equality. The group is facilitated by SU faculty members Professor Carrie Jefferson Smith and Professor Peg Miller and student facilitators who are graduates of the program itself who are responsible for stimulating and moderating the discussion by asking questions, identifying key points, and managing the group process. The process builds trust through exercises that emphasize common ground, then leads to honest discussion of issues that affect this community. Participants learn how to be allies and how to work together to address racism.

While there are some outside readings that provide background for the discussions, the primary focus of this class is on discussion among members of the dialogue group. Students will need to attend each and every one of the seven sessions, read the thought-provoking, assigned articles, and commit to participating in this honest dialogue of how we truly feel and how we can truly change.

Honors students may participate in a dialogue group by registering for this section. The group will be comprised of students in the Honors Program and students not in the Program, and will be facilitated by SU faculty. This Honors dialogue group will meet for seven weeks: September 13, 20, 27,and October 4,11,18 and 25.   New facilitator training will be offered to selected students in three additional sessions, to be held on November 1,8 and 15.

HNR 230  SCIENTIFIC ISSUES AND PRACTICE
Each section is one credit, pass/fail.  These seminars focus on the exploration of scientific issues and practices in Syracuse and the wider region of Central New York.  Methods of inquiry and exploration differ between sections.

Onondaga County has a number of natural areas that are truly special.  Many of these areas have been protected and preserved by government (both county and state).  Some possible field trips include the Jamesville Quarry, Clark Reservation, Beaver Lake, Baltimore Woods, Green Lakes, and Old Fly Marsh.

Thesis Project Honors Seminars:

This is the senior honors seminar for students in bioengineering.

BIO 419  Biology Honors Seminar
1 credit hour
Sec 1: Junior Honors Seminar
T 5:00-6:00pm,  304C Lyman, #11999
Professors John Belote and Larry Wolf

Juniors and seniors majoring in biology meet together weekly in this seminar.  Honors students from other majors such as chemistry, biochemistry and psychology, who are doing biological research, are accepted into this seminar with permission of instructor only.  Students taking BIO 419 do not take HNR 309 or HNR 409.

HNR 309  Thesis/Project Planning Seminar
1 credit hour, pass/fail grading
Start Date for all sections: third week of classes

The purpose of HNR 309, the Thesis Project Planning seminar is to introduce you to Thesis Project Honors.  The goals of the course are to understand what a thesis project is, to understand what personal resources are necessary for successful completion of a thesis project, to clarify a topic for your thesis project, to find a faculty member who will advise your thesis project, and to develop an academic plan and a timeline for completion of the thesis project.   During the first half of the semester, there will be a series of seminar meetings, assignments, and exercises designed to meet these goals.  In addition to the regular weekly meeting, several of these meetings will be held on Fridays,  3:00-4:00.  During the second half of the semester, there will be no class meetings.  You must meet with your junior seminar leader at least twice to discuss the progress you have made on your thesis project.  syllabus

HNR 409  Thesis/Project Execution Seminar
1 credit hour, pass/fail grading
Note:   Be sure to register for the section of this seminar taught by the person with whom you took HNR 309.

The purpose of HNR 409, the Thesis Project Execution seminar, is to ensure that you are making significant progress toward the completion of your thesis project.  You may register for HNR 409 any semester after you have completed HNR 309.  To complete HNR 409:  (1) you must meet with your faculty thesis project advisor regularly during the semester; (2) you must meet twice during the semester with the instructor of your Thesis Project Planning seminar; and (3) you must complete a thesis project progress report at the end of the semester.

Academic Information | Student Information | Faculty Information | About Honors | New Honors Program | Upcoming Events | Honors Class Listings | Messenger Newsletter | Staff | Virtual Tour Syracuse Home | Honors Program Home | The College of Arts and Sciences Home © Syracuse University 2003