Dr. Stephen Christ, Tu/Thu 2:30-3:45pm

This class will introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of culture. We will begin by examining the theoretical debates on what culture is, where it comes from, and how it works. We will then move on to examine empirical sites of cultural transmission – schools, immigrant communities, and religious institutions. We will end by examining the production of culture perspective and considering how mass media is produced and connected to social change.

Drs. Henrietta Rix Wood and Stephen Christ, W 4:30-7:15pm

Students will explore the role of socially responsible citizens and leaders in a democratic society and contribute towards the betterment of the community. More specifically, this course will introduce students to concepts and strategies that will enable them to collaborate with classmates to analyze a social problem, develop a solution to that problem, and implement the solution.

Dr. Stephen Christ, Tu/Thu 4:00-5:15pm

Social and Environmental Justice will introduce students to the foundations of the environmental justice movement, current and emerging issues, and the application of environmental justice analysis to government policy.

Drs. Saul Honigberg and Scott Hawley, MWF 8:00-8:50am

A modern approach integrating molecular and organismal studies of the general genetics of lower and higher organisms. Chromosomal structure and function, gene transmission, heredity, plasticity, and population genetics will be discussed. Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 108, BIOLOGY 109, CHEM 212R. The course offers in-class discussion to dig deeper into topics like the societal issues of genetics. This course offers a limited number of seats, taught by active geneticists, including Dr. Hawley, an investigator at Stowers Institute, and is considered an important class for students interested in research.

Dr. Jess Magaña, Tu/Th 1-2:15pm

Invasive species are of concern to the public, scientists, and governments as invasive species can negatively impact native ecosystems, economies, and human health. Students in this 3-credit-hour, online course will study the biological traits that contribute to successful invasions, the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species, and the legal and cultural responses to invasions. Students will develop critical analysis and communication skills by analyzing scientific literature, discussing implications, and presenting arguments in written and oral platforms.

Honors component for Bio 385: This is not an honors-only seminar. Students who wish to earn honors credit for this class will give a 10-minute presentation from the point of view of a shareholder dealing with an invasive species. After presentations we will have an in-class debate about potential solutions in which presenters will answer questions “in-character.” All students will write a brief summary and evaluation as a Policy Advice Paper.

Dr. Jess Magaña, Tu/Th 10-11:15am, Class Number: 14891

Why do animals do what they do, and how do we know? This three-credit-hour course explores evolutionary influences on animal behavior and the challenges associated with developing and testing hypotheses. Students will develop critical analysis skills and effective written and oral communication skills by analyzing scientific articles, discussing methodology and implications, writing analytical papers, and communicating through oral presentations.

Honors component for BIO H498WI: This is not an honors-only seminar. In order to earn honors credit, students need to complete additional work for the course at the honors level. Students who wish to earn honors credit for this class will write a research proposal addressing a need for specific knowledge related to behavior.

Dr. Henrierra Rix Wood, Tu/Th 1-2:15pm

What do the UMKC campus, the 18th and Vine Historic District, and the Country Club Plaza tell us about the culture and diversity of Kansas City? To begin to answer this question, we will use the “City as Text” approach to learning, which asks students to investigate important issues by going to places to map, observe, listen, and reflect. Drawing upon your impressions, you will then conduct further research on specific topics of your choice that are relevant to the culture and diversity of Kansas City in order to produce informative and persuasive speeches and essays.

Dr. Thomas R. Ferrel, Tu/Thu 2:30-3:45pm

Dr. Stephen Christ, day and time TBD

Dean McKusick, section 0001, and Jessica Elam, section 0002

Honors Internship:

This course is an academic internship that requires written assignments in addition to the work performed in a professional workplace. Internships are individually arranged with the sponsoring organization, which may be a business, school, nonprofit agency or government office. Academic credit may range from 1 to 6 credit hours (0 credit hours for Honors 496A). There will be a Learning Agreement established in the first week of the semester that states the contractual responsibilities of the student, the workplace supervisor, and the internship coordinator. This Learning Agreement will outline the job responsibilities, workload expectations, assignments and anticipated learning outcomes of the internship experience.

Dr. Henrierra Rix Wood, day and time TBD

This one-hour credit, graded course is open to honors students and high-achieving students who are working on senior theses, projects, or capstone papers. The group meets twice a month to offer peer response to the work of members who set goals and deadlines for producing their theses or projects.

Dr. Henrietta Rix Wood, M/W 4-5:15pm, Class number: 44850

Dr. Wood will teach this interdisciplinary anchor course. It is part of the Reacting to the Past Program, which invites students to explore important issues and ideas by recreating the historical contexts that generated those issues and ideas. This semester, we will recreate the silk strike of 1913 in Patterson, NJ and the meeting of feminists, labor activists, and bohemians in New York City in 1913. Approaching these events as “games,” students will assume roles based on real or historically accurate figures. To perform their roles, students will read and discuss relevant texts, write analytical papers, and present persuasive speeches. The instructors of this course will act as “gamemasters” who provide information and guidance but do not dictate the outcomes of games. This will be a challenging course, and it may also be the most fun that you have had in a classroom.

Dr. Stephen Christ, Tu/Th 10-11:15am, Class Number: 46063

This is an introductory survey course of social justice issues (primarily in America) with the expectation that students will critically engage in discussions of civic engagement. In addition to participating in civil discourse, students are expected to engage in collective civic action. As such, this course will present multiple opportunities for students to become actively involved in the communities to which they have a membership. The scope of this course is as broad as the idea(s) of social justice itself and as complex as notions of equality. We will begin with a foundational exploration into social justice concepts, issues, and policy remedies—thereby developing the necessary analytical tools and information to assess inequality and injustice and address historical and contemporary issues. 

Drs. Henrietta Rix Wood and Stephen Christ,Tu/Th 4-5:15pm, Class Number: 47131

This course will introduce students to concepts and strategies that will enable them to collaborate with classmates to analyze a social problem, develop a solution to that problem, and implement the solution within the semester. For example, students might decide to take action on the campaign to raise the minimum wage, the problem of people without homes, or other issues related to gender, race, and class in Kansas City. 

Dr. Jess Magaña, Tu/Th 10-11:15am, Class Number: 46279

Why do animals do what they do, and how do we know? This three-credit-hour course explores evolutionary influences on animal behavior and the challenges associated with developing and testing hypotheses. Students will develop critical analysis skills and effective written and oral communication skills by analyzing scientific articles, discussing methodology and implications, writing analytical papers, and communicating through oral presentations.

Honors component for BIO H498WI: This is not an honors-only seminar. In order to earn honors credit, students need to complete additional work for the course at the honors level. Students who wish to earn honors credit for this class will write a research proposal addressing a need for specific knowledge related to behavior.

Thomas Ferrel, Tu/Th 1:00-2:15pm, Class Number: 45620

“Discourse” refers to the language, images, styles, genres, behaviors and other forms of communication used by specific social and professional groups. The techniques of discourse analysis and language awareness taught in this course will enable you to position yourself socially and professionally, helping you understand the discourse conventions, reasoning, and “commonsense” assumptions that create and define academic, political, professional, and other discourse formations and communities. Students will produce, perform, and analyze college-level, oral and written texts; and they will learn how written and oral performances function together in specific discourse communities.

Dr. Henrietta Rix Wood, Tu/Th 1:00-2:15pm, Class Number: 46132

What do the UMKC campus, the Country Club Plaza, and the 18^th and Vine Historic District tell us about the culture and diversity of Kansas City? To begin to answer this question, we will use the “City as Text” approach to learning, which asks students to investigate important issues by going to places to map, observe, listen, and reflect. Drawing upon your impressions, you will then conduct further research on specific topics of your choice that are relevant to the culture and diversity of Kansas City in order to produce informative and persuasive speeches and essays. 

Staff, Tu/Th 11:30-12:45pm, Class Number: 45621

Students will put the knowledge and skills learned in Discourse I and II into practical use by engaging in a service-learning project that is interdisciplinary and intercultural. Students will use strategies of critical discourse analysis and critical language awareness to target the appropriate audience/recipients for their service project, to develop innovative and rhetorically effective texts, and to reflect on their project’s purpose, methods, and consequences. This course is taught in close connection with Anchor H399.

Dr. Jess Magaña, TBD, Class Number: 14933

Senior Honors Thesis/Project Practicum: This graded, one-hour credit course will prepare honors students to undertake a Senior Honors Thesis or Project. In this class, students will explore different options for theses or projects, identify a topic and faculty advisor, plan the production of the thesis or project, produce a component of the thesis or project, and collaborate effectively with other honors students to develop their plans. The week before classes begin, students will choose, in consultation with Dr. Magaña, the day and time of the class.

Dean Jim McKusick (Section 0001) and Jessica Elam (Section 0002), Tu/Th 10-11:15am, Class Number: 46063

Honors Internship:

This course is an academic internship that requires written assignments in addition to the work performed in a professional workplace. Internships are individually arranged with the sponsoring organization, which may be a business, school, nonprofit agency or government office. Academic credit may range from 1 to 6 credit hours (0 credit hours for Honors 496A). There will be a Learning Agreement established in the first week of the semester that states the contractual responsibilities of the student, the workplace supervisor, and the internship coordinator. This Learning Agreement will outline the job responsibilities, workload expectations, assignments and anticipated learning outcomes of the internship experience.

Courses vary by semester. Check the university catalog or Pathway for courses offered and remember you can always contract for honors credit.

Dr. Stephen Christ, T/Th 2:30-3:45pm, Class Number: 46889

This course explores significant social problems in contemporary society, examines the process of how these social problems arise in society, and considers possible solutions. As an introduction to this topic, the course will focus on understanding how and why social problems develop and the controversies that accompany them.

Honors component for SOCIOL H203:  This is not an honors-only seminar. Students who wish to earn Honors credit for this class will meet with Dr. Christ to develop a plan of additional work to satisfy the honors credit requirement. In previous semesters, this has included photojournalism, developing a comic series, and an original research project. Each honors credit arrangement is a collaboration between Dr. Christ and the student.