Honors (HONR)

Research writing in academic genres that emphasizes rhetorical communication and analysis aligned by a contemporary issue in order to develop written communication skills required for college and later use. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate communication theory and its impact on society and then put the theory to practice. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

For Honors Program participants only.. This course will introduce students to great ideas and formative thinkers of the pre-moden period from the formation of the Bhagavad Gita to the writings of Shakespeare. Through major litererary works of the Eastern, Middle Eastern, Near Eastern, and Western civilizations, themes will be examined that illustrate how people of this period around the world came to perceive the nature of the human condition and the place of humanity in the cosmos. The ideas are considered 'great', and the thinkers 'formative' because they have provided the foundation for many philosophical and religious world views, as well as social and political structures that have comprised global history since their time. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

For Honors Program participants only.. This honors course explores the development of great biological discoveries of the past several hundred years leading to the development, and ultimate acceptance of Darwin's revolutionary hypothesis on species change. The initial two weeks will explore scientific methodology, the nature of cells, genetics and the genetic code, and the origins and diversity of life. The second two weeks will be a travel experience devoted to an exploration of the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador to experience directly the environments in which Alfred Wallace and Charles Darwin developed their revolutionary idea of natural selection, which has become a unifying theme of modern biology. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

For Honors Program participants only.. Provides first year Honors students with a foundation in the physical sciences. Formerly HONR 102P. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

For Honors Program participants only.. This course presents an overview of concepts which have helped forge the post-modern, post-colonial human condition through the lens of selected theoretical works, world literature, and film. Focusing on constructions of identity in major works from across the globe, students will examine the roles of social class, language community, gender and ethnicity in the modern world. The issue of identity as described by the likes of Fanon, Foucault, Freud, Marx, Sartre, and Ngugi wa Thiong'o will be explored in plays, novels, short stories, fairy tales, and films to help students read critically, analyze literature, and develop formal research paper writing skills. Not challengeable.

This course examines ethnic American literature within various global philosophical contexts. While closely reading various genres such as the novel, graphic fiction, poetry, short fiction, the memoir, and essay, we will examine how ethnic literature has reshaped American thought and culture, particularly on the global stage. We will also examine what philosophical insights the study of ethnic American literature may bring to a critically-informed understanding of the world. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course explores concepts which have forged the modern human condition through the lens of selected works in world literature, film and music. This class will present an evolution of modern thought focusing on constructions of identity in major global works of culture. Students will read critical works which analyze the roles of social class, language, gender, race, and ethnic group identity, as well as works which contextualize individuality, collectiveness, consumerism, critical theory, and history. Each of these issues is examined in literary texts (novels, short stories, and essays), popular texts (myths and film), and musicking (music production and consumption) from across the globe. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

An interdisciplinary course in which students critically investigate works of literature. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students critically investigate world religions or philosophies and key texts from either. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate the traits and impacts of mass media upon our civilization. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate a specific historical movement, setting, or occurrence and its impacts upon our civilization. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students critically investigate a time period, artist, movement, or key setting from the history of art. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students critically investigate a topic using disciplinary approaches from multiple Humanities (literature, philosophy, religion, mass media, history, fine arts). Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students are exposed to a broad survey or a specific focus-area within the behavioral sciences. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students are exposed to a broad survey or a specific focus-area within political science. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students are exposed to a broad survey or a specific focus-area within economics. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students are exposed to a selected topic using the disciplinary approaches of multiple social and behavioral sciences (geography, psychology, business, education, sociology, political science, etc). Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate the basic principles or a specific focus-area within the life sciences and the impact on our everday lives. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate the basic principles or a specific focus-area within the physical sciences and the impact on our everyday lives. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students study and learn to critically apply the methods of quantitative reasoning. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students critically produce works of art in manners representative of a style, genre, or topical framework. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

An interdisciplinary course in which students investigate and demonstrate their ability to best meet the physical demands of everyday life. Not challengeable. Letter grade only.

For Honors Program participants only.. Explores contemporary issues through discussions organized around the collective participation in campus and off-campus events. May be taken a maximum of 8 times for credit. May be taken for letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Serving a community means understanding we are part of it and understanding its heritage. The La Verne community stretches beyond the university, and the values of the university derive from its connection to the city beyond. This course focuses on engagement with the community to teach students the value of civic and community engagement. By doing so, students will contribute to the community and also reflect on their role as change agent in society. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

For Honors Program participants only.. An interdisciplinary project-based capstone course in which students critically investigate and understand community and global issues. May be taken for letter grade only. Not challengeable.