298H Seminars - Fall 2019

Honors in Rome

UHON 298H (EDUCATION ABROAD; INTERDISCIPLINARY)

No.: **** Section: 001 6:00-8:50p, Tu
Neihardt 1105 Tamy Burnett & Jacob Schlange ACE 9

Course description

In this course, we will explore Rome, examining the city as a "text" and exploring texts inspired by the city. This means we will "read" the city’s complex, intriguing history through visits to important cultural sites in the city. The trip to Rome will occur during Spring Break 2019, about two-thirds of the way through the course. Prior to departure, we will learn about the city from guest faculty lectures, exploring a variety of topics as they relate to the city, including architecture, art, music, literature, culture, and history. Additionally, students will engage in individual or group research projects exploring Roman history during different eras. As part of our preparation for the trip, we will evaluate different site visit options and collaboratively compose our daily itinerary while in Rome. Following the trip, we will learn more about Rome in the 20th and 21st century and continue to synthesize the information learned from guest faculty, the knowledge acquired from student research, and the hands-on experiential lessons gained during the trip.

Honors in Berlin: History, Culture, and Entrepreneurship

UHON 298H (EDUCATION ABROAD; HISTORY; BUSINESS)

No.: **** Section: 002 6:00-8:50p, W
Neihardt 1105 Dr. Alex Vazansky & Becka Neary-DeLaPorte ACE 9

Course description

In this course, we will explore Berlin, with a focus on the entrepreneur/start-up scene and the city’s unique cultural history. The trip to Berlin will occur during Spring Break 2019, about two-thirds of the way through the course. Prior to departure, we will learn about the city from guest faculty lectures, exploring a variety of topics as they relate to the city, including business, architecture, art, music, literature, culture, and history. Additionally, students will engage in individual or group research projects exploring Berlin history during different eras and modern business culture. During the trip, we will engage in site visits to businesses and collaboratively chosen historical and cultural sites. Following the trip, we will learn more about Berlin in the 20th and 21st century and continue to synthesize the information learned from guest faculty, the knowledge acquired from student research, and the hands-on experiential lessons gained during the trip.

Eureka! Intellectual Creativity in Action

UHON 298H (POLITICAL SCIENCE)

No.: **** Section: 003 7:00-8:00, M & 7:00-8:30, W
Neihardt 1107 Dr. James Van Etten, Dr. Patrice Berger, & Maria Benes ACE 2

Course description

This course is an interdisciplinary seminar in which you will hear from a variety of professors from different fields. They will tell you their stories including any "eureka" moments of enlightenment, how they chose the career paths that they did, discussion of any challenges they had to face, mention of any controversies they encountered and discussion of some of their most rewarding moments along the way. The course will also include a weekly recitation in which you do group problem solving through simulations, guided discussions and other types of oral and written communication exercises to dive more fully into the material presented by the guest professors.

Here's what former students had to say about UHON 198H:

"Very few classes create a better sense of community and involvement than 198H. This class teaches life lessons in a classroom setting. The comradery with students and professors, the warm and nurturing environment mixed with some of the most knowledgeable professors on campus separated this class amongst all others. Truly the best class I have ever taken."

-Joey Lydiatt, Finance & Economics Majors

"I absolutely loved Creativity in the Arts and Sciences. It was a wonderful course that introduced me to outstanding UNL professors and different departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. Not only that, but this course introduced me to a professor who I was able to connect with and work with in the following year on a research project."

-Emily Jezewski, Biological Sciences Major

"This was one of the best classes I have ever had. Dr. Berger and Dr. Van Etten get amazing speakers and topics for this class that are engaging and fun to listen to. Due to its small size, it is a class that is easy to participate in, and its structure leads you to great discussions with the professors, speakers and the students."

-Joshua Carlson, Mechanical Engineering Major

"This course was a wonderful time spent looking at how creativity is found in all fields of research and knowledge. I really enjoyed listening to different professors as they shared their stories and experience. The class allowed me to meet professors I would likely have never gotten the chance to interact with."

-David Cao, Computer Engineering Major

"UHON 189H is a comfortable, focused environment in which students practice academic discourse with faculty and fellow students alike. As a (now) senior, I appreciate having been introduced to professors, fields and sub-disciplines I would not have encountered were it not for this class."

-Kat Ellis, Economics Major

Harry Potter & Social Activism

UHON 298H (ENGLISH; WOMEN’S & GENDER STUDIES)

No.: **** Section: 004 2:00-3:15, Tu/Th
Neihardt 1105 Tamy Burnett ACE 2 or 5; ASC CDR C or F

Course description

While our "muggle" world is thankfully lacking in unforgivable curses, fearsome dementors, and evil wizards, we do unfortunately frequently see or experience the darkest of dark arts—hatred, bigotry, fear—used to perpetuate systemic social inequalities. In this course, we will analyze the Harry Potter series for themes related to social activism and lessons for combating these dark forces, through the lens of literary analysis, studying similar historical social movements, examining real-world activism grounded in fan culture, and engaging in team-based social activism service-learning projects. Harry Potter fandom stands out among other popular fandoms for its focus on success with social activism centered around and inspired by the series. For example, the Harry Potter Alliance is a global fan activism community that offers significant examples of how one might turn enjoyment of a popular narrative into individual and/or collective action. Are you ready to stand against the darkness?

Saving the World: Water, Food, People, and the Environment in the 21st Century

UHON 298H (POLITICAL SCIENCE)

No.: **** Section: 005 1:30-2:20p, MWF
Oldfather 638 Dr. Patrice McMahon ACE 6 or 9; ASC CDR D or F

Course description

This course will provide a one-semester overview of the historical development of the contemporary United States. We will first explore the pre-history of the country, focusing on the Enlightenment, the Protestant Reformation, European colonialism, the African slave trade, and the American Revolution. Next we will examine the creation of the powerful modern American state, digging into the processes of continental expansion, industrialization, immigration and the two World Wars. Finally, we will wrestle with key contemporary challenges, most notably the Cold War, struggles for social justice, globalization, climate change, and technological innovation. Students will write three brief papers, co-lead one week's discussion, and give an oral presentation on a research topic of their choice. This seminar offers an opportunity to examine the most important historical themes and issues of the past 500 years-a foundation for an educated citizen.