Honors Program Curriculum

Mind-Expanding Classes—Different, Not More

The Honors Program is meant to enrich your college experience rather than piling on extra work. To that end, we have designed a curriculum that allows you exemptions from certain core classes in exchange for completing levels of Honors coursework.

You also have flexibility in fulfilling upper-lever Honors requirements—Honors electives, study abroad, writing a departmental honors paper or honors thesis.

Honors classes are enhanced by field trips, guest speakers and a variety of hands-on activities and special projects. In keeping with the collaborative nature of the program, students meet as a group to decide on the topics of their senior seminars and suggest faculty they would like to teach them.

Curriculum

HON 201-01 Global Challenges with Climate Change T/Th 11:25-12:50, Dr. Scott Pincikoswki

Prerequisite: HON 102, or admission to the Honors Program as a sophomore

This course explores how countries around the world perceive and tackle the problem of climate change. Students will investigate the problem of climate change through the lens of the Environmental Humanities. Throughout the term, we will investigate how cultural attitudes towards the environment differ around the world and how these attitudes impact the level of response to the climate crisis. In addition, we will investigate how different modes of cultural expression such as literature, film, music, and art suggest new ways for thinking about climate change and even afford opportunities for imagining more optimistic futures. To pursue such an investigation, students will analyze and situate a variety of primary and secondary sources within broader debates and discourses—scientific, historical, and political—about climate change. Overall this course focuses on developing the necessary tools and skills for thinking, writing, and speaking critically about both the Humanities and climate change.

HON 201-02 Identity and North Africa M/W 4:15pm-5:40pm, Dr. Donald Wright

Prerequisite: HON 102, or admission to the Honors Program as a sophomore

In this class we will explore the idea of identity on North Africa from three different perspectives, which are not, however, mutually exclusive:

* Starting with the concepts of history and tradition, we will see how rich cultural and religious foundations play a part in the creation of identity.

* From a political and global perspective we will examine how the idea of nation arose in the Maghreb, what are the barriers to solidifying the concept of nation and how that idea plays out in world politics.

* Through the study of the countries of North Africa, their histories and their cultures we will examine how the concept of identity has changed and continues to change today.

The overarching goal of this class is to understand how we develop attitudes and opinions of other cultures. These opinions that are social constructed and are enriched by a culturally accepted discourse that strays far from actual fact

HON201-03 Love Across Boundaries and Borders M/W 11:30am-12:55pm, Dr. Karen Hoffman & Dr. Trevor Dodman

Prerequisite: HON 102, or admission to the Honors Program as a sophomore

This course explores some of the conceptions, expectations, norms, and practices of love, particularly romantic love, across social, cultural and religious boundaries and geographical borders. It uses novels as well as philosophical sources to examine what we take love to be, what role it plays in our lives, what cultural contexts encourage it to flourish and when it is mutually empowering.

NEW SECTION: HON 201 04:Multicultural Cities M/W 1:05pm-2:30pm, Dr. Gareth Potts

Prerequisite: HON 102, or admission to the Honors Program as a sophomore

Cities have always seen multiple cultures living alongside one another – as people migrate in from rural areas, other cities, and other countries. Today's effective city leaders, planners, and managers understand these fluid processes and look to capitalize upon the benefits that they might bring (infusion of diversity, skills, entrepreneurialism, tolerance, cultural fusion, etc.) and overcome any associated challenges (stereotyping, language barriers, claims of unequal treatment, conflict, etc.). Having completed this course, the student will be able to understand the multifaceted nature (and drivers) of difference in cities, operate professionally in diverse urban environments, recognize their own, possibly privileged, position in this difference, evaluate various city-level policies aimed at managing cultural differences in a city, and analyze why cities might be succeeding or failing in managing cultural differences.

NEW SECTION: HON 201 05:Unequal Protection of the Law Tuesday 5:10pm-7:55pm, Dr. Morad Eghbal

Description will be available soon!

HON304-01 Censorship in America Monday 5:10pm-7:55pm, Professor Howard Scher

Prerequisite: Sophomore, junior or senior standing in the Honors Program, or permission of the instructor

This course examines the historical and contemporary aspects of censorship in America, paying particular attention to government and societal attempts to repress speech, press and the arts

HON307-01 The Chesapeake Bay: Human Impact Monday 5:30pm-8:15pm, Hood Faculty

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in ENSP 210 and ENSP 212 or permission of instructor. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors in the Honors Program.

The natural history of the Chesapeake Bay region will be examined in the context of society’s exploitation of a natural system. Scientific topics will be combined with historical, sociological, and economic perspectives to form a coherent portrait of the interplay between society and the environment.

HON397K-01 Special Topic: Decoding RomComs- Gender Perspectives Across Decades (TTH 9:50am-11:15am, Dr. Marisel Torres-Crespo)

Prerequisite: Sophomore, junior or senior standing in the Honors Program, or permission of the instructor

This course will explore the evolution of romantic comedy films from the 1950s to the present day, focusing on how cultural beliefs about gender roles, race, marriage, and sexuality have changed over time. We'll watch a variety of romantic comedies from each decade, read articles related to the topic, and discuss how they reflect and challenge societal norms and expectations

HON397L-01 Special Topic: Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (TTH 9:50am-11:15am, Dr. Jennifer Krishnaswany)

Prerequisite: Sophomore, junior or senior standing in the Honors Program, or permission of the instructor

This course is designed to explore our human biology – whether it is your first time delving into this subject or you want to review Anatomy & Physiology in preparation for the MCAT or a Nursing final exam. Each week we will cover a major topic/organ system of human Anatomy & Physiology. The first time we meet, I will lecture on that week’s topic and the second time we meet you will explore relevant models/activities. We will also take a field trip to the National Museum of Health & Medicine to deepen our understanding of our bodies.

HON470-01 Seminar- The Voyager Golden Records (Friday 10:25am-1:10pm, Dr. Noel Verzosa)

Prerequisite: Open to seniors in the Honors Program or juniors with permission. May not be repeated.

In 1977, NASA astrophysicist Carl Sagan assembled a group of scientists, artists, and ethnomusicologists for a special project: creating a collection of pictures and an audio recording of music from around the world, to be launched into space (along with an LP player) in the hopes that intelligent extraterrestrial life would discover them and be made aware of Earth’s existence. By the time the project was done, the team came up with 116 images that included things like natural landscapes and animals, x-rays of the human hand, the Taj Mahal and the Toronto airport, and pictures of people grocery shopping, breastfeeding, and marathon running. The music consisted of a “playlist” of 27 works ranging from Aboriginal folk music to mariachi to opera to rock n’ roll.

The Voyager Golden Records, as these phonographs came to be known, raise all kinds of fascinating questions about how and why images and music are thought to represent human culture. What criteria were used to choose which pictures and music would represent Earth? Is a Beethoven string quartet the equivalent in German culture to Navajo healing songs in Native American culture? How did NASA convey to the aliens how to use the LP player in the first place, and what does this say about the limits of visual/graphical communication? In this class, we will sample the contents of the Voyager Golden Records and ask how and why images and sound are invested with meaning, and whether it is possible for scientists and artists—or any humans—to imagine how these meanings would be understood from a non-human perspective.

HON470-02 Seminar- Developing a Leadership Vision (T/Th 9:50am-11:30am, Dr. Nisha Manikoth)

Prerequisite: Open to seniors in the Honors Program or juniors with permission. May not be repeated.

Each one of you is an inborn leader. Learn how to tap into your inborn strengths and sharpen skills that will prepare you for leadership roles. Through 1) self-assessments, 2) discussions of cases, films, and personal examples of leaders, and 3) role-plays, this course will provide opportunity for critical reflection and active learning to prepare you for real-world leadership in the workplace and the larger community. You will develop a leadership vision and an action plan to execute that vision.

Honors Program

The Hood College Honors Program is a four-year program of coursework, co-curricular events, and extracurricular activities. Honors courses, which are designed to cultivate students’ ability to examine our complex world, are interdisciplinary in approach and are often team-taught. Classes are small, discussion-oriented, and frequently enhanced by guest speakers and field trips.

The Honors Program has the following requirements:

FYE 101H and FYE 102H (First-Year Experience) during first year
and taken during sophomore year
At least one 300-level HON elective
taken during the senior year
In addition, students must complete at least one of the following FOUR things:
- Demonstration of 202-level proficiency in a modern global language (other than English or American Sign Language); OR
- A second 300-level Honors elective; OR
- A Departmental Honors project in their major (499A/499B) or HON 499; OR
- A semester of study abroad

GPA Requirements

To remain in good standing in the Honors Program, first-year students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are required to maintain at least a 3.25 GPA. Students who have a GPA that falls below the minimum requirement will be placed on probation within the program or dismissed from it.

Grade Requirements

A grade of “C-” or better is required in each Honors course being used to satisfy the Program requirements.

Any student who receives a grade lower than a C- in FYE 101H will be dismissed from the program.
Any student receiving a grade lower than C- in , , or may be dismissed from the program. If allowed to continue in Honors, the student will need to repeat that course the next time it is offered and earn a grade of C- or higher in order to fulfill the program requirements.

First-Year Honors Experience
First-year students in the Honors Program take two Colloquium courses organized around interdisciplinary themes.

FYE 101H First Year Seminar-Honors Colloquium I
FYE 102H Honors Colloquium II (Linked Course to FYE 101H section)

Sophomore Year Honors Experience
The sophomore year in Honors helps students to explore the nature of knowledge, cultural differences, and the individual’s place in society.

During the second semester () students combine scholarly research with experiential learning in the community.

Topics in Diversity (counts for Diversity requirement of the HMH Core)
Ethics of Service Learning (counts for Ethics requirement of the HMH Core)
In addition, students must complete at least one of the following FOUR things:
- Demonstration of 202-level proficiency in a modern global language (other than English or American Sign Language); OR
- A second 300-level Honors elective; OR
- A Departmental Honors project in their major (499A/499B) or HON 499; OR
- A semester of study abroad

Selected first-year students may begin the program at the end of their first or second semester at Hood. These students begin taking Honors courses at the time of their entry into the program and exempt earlier Honors courses.

Honors Experience in Junior and Senior Years
Students in the Honors program will complete at least one Honors course at the 300-level and Seminar. must be taken during senior year and may not be repeated. In addition, students must either demonstrate 202-level proficiency in a global language, take a second 300-level Honors elective, complete a Departmental Honors project, OR complete a semester of study abroad.

As an alternative to a Departmental Honors project in their major, students in the Honors Program may elect to complete a 3-credit interdisciplinary HON 499 project during the fall or spring semester of the senior year.

Relationship to the Core Curriculum
The first four Honors courses (FYE 101H, FYE 102H, HON 201, HON 202) count toward the Hearts, Minds and Hands Core. FYE 101H and FYE 102H are the required First-Year Experience, HON 201 fulfills the Diversity requirement in the MIND section of the Core, and HON 202 fulfills the Ethics requirement in the MIND section of the Core.

Early College Students
The Honors Program welcomes qualified early college students who have completed an AA, or equivalent, during their high school years. Students with 30 or more credits from International Baccalaureate (IB) programs may also qualify, with director approval.

Early college students must take the First Year Seminar in their first semester at Hood. Their progression through the Honors Program is as follows:

FYE 101H First Year Seminar-Honors Colloquium I
FYE 102H in spring semester first year (course linked to FYE 101H section)
1 300-level Honors elective
1 Hon 470
In addition, students must complete at least one of the following FOUR things:
- Demonstration of 202-level proficiency in a modern global language (other than English or American Sign Language); OR
- A second 300-level Honors elective; OR
- A Departmental Honors project in their major (499A/499B) or HON 499; OR
- A semester of study abroad

Transferring into the Honors Program
The Honors Program welcomes qualified transfer students. Those who have successfully completed two years of an honors program at another college or university before transferring to Hood may enter the Hood College Honors Program at the junior level. In order to complete the program, such students must take and one other 300-level Honors Program courses. They must also complete one of the FOUR options below:

Demonstration of 202-level proficiency in a modern global language (other than English or American Sign Language); OR
A second 300-level Honors elective; OR
A Departmental Honors project in their major (499A/499B) or HON 499; OR
A semester of study abroad

Students who transfer to Hood without having completed two years of an honors program at another college or university, may also join the Honors Program. They must complete: , , , and at least one other HON course at the 300-level. They must also complete one of the FOUR options below:

Demonstration of 202-level proficiency in a modern global language (other than English or American Sign Language); OR
A second 300-level Honors elective; OR
A Departmental Honors project in their major (499A/499B) or HON 499; OR
A semester of study abroad

Students who place in and complete a 203, 204, or civilization course-level French, German, or Spanish course during the first semester at Hood with a grade of C or above earn 6 additional credits. No additional credits are awarded for students already awarded transfer credit for French, German, or Spanish 201 and 202.

Recognition of Honors Students
To graduate from the Honors Program, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Students who fulfill the Honors requirements will earn Honors Program recognition on their academic records.

Students take two seminar classes, FYS 101H in the fall semester and HON 102 in the spring. In addition, most students start their language requirement in the first semester, depending on placement. Check with your advisor and the Honors directors for recommendations.

FYS101H

The fall Honors First-Year Seminar (August-December) is team-taught by professors from different disciplines. Students will acquire skills in critical thinking, writing, and speaking as well as general skills for success in college and in their future.

FALL 2024 topics

Click the titles below to learn more about each topic. Honors students may choose the topic that interests them most. History & the City and Arts & the City are team-taught, as are Local Lore and Legends and The Art of Wandering, so students will get to experience two related topics with two different professors. Your "home" professor will also be your academic adviser until you declare your major.

with Dr. Mallory Huard, History
with Dr. Noel Verzosa, Music
Local Lore and Legends with Dr. Lisa Marcus, French and Gender Studies
The Art of Wandering with Dr. Kimberly Morse Jones, Art History

Recent field trips for the Honors fall seminar have included:

in Washington, D.C.
Performances at in Washington, D.C.
Zipline and obstacle course outing at in Frederick
Walking tour of the Tidal Basin monuments, Washington D.C.
Escape room adventures at in Frederick
Washington D.C.

HON102

In the spring semester (January-May), students may choose one of four different sections of HON102. Each class focuses on a topic that takes an interdisciplinary approach to the sciences and technology in relation to society.

Some recent topics:

Movie Magic: Science in Film
Thinking about Thinking
Plagues and Peoples
Sustainable Diets

Recent field trips for the spring have included:

, Washington, D.C.
, Frederick, Md.
Lunch at a local farm-to-table restaurant, , in downtown Frederick
, Washington, D.C.
, Sharpsburg, Md.
Collaborative work with local farms for sustainable diets class

Students take two seminar classes, Hon 201 in the fall semester and Hon 202 in the spring. In addition, most students finish their language requirement (through the 202 level) in the second semester of their second year, depending on placement. Check with your advisor and the Honors directors for recommendations.

HON201

Students can choose from a menu of classes that focus on global issues and differing cultural perspectives for HON 201, the fall seminar. They will be encouraged to imagine the world from many points of view and challenged to examine how they think about and interact with the global community.

Sample classes:

Global Climate Change
LGBTQ+ Global Perspectives
Global Inequity
Politics and Ethics

Class field trips for HON 201 have included:

Symposium on January 6th, Washington D.C.
Frederick County landfill
Crime Museum, Washington D.C.

HON202

Students will work closely with a faculty advisor of their choice for the spring semester practicum. Each student chooses a social or intellectual problem to address, writes a research paper and works at an off-campus site, gaining experience and connections that may also lead to paid employment or help determine a future career. The broad, overarching theme of this class is social justice, but the sites students at which students have chosen to volunteer are many and varied.

Recent practicum sites have included:

Heartly House
Frederick Health Hospital
Housing Authority of Frederick
Delaplaine Visual Arts Center
Frederick Rescue Mission
I Believe in Me
Civil War Medicine Museum
Halfway African American Cemetery
Monocacy National Battlefield

Sample research papers:

“Power Shifting and Getting in Gear: The Youth Movement Toward a Sustainable Future” Site: Energy Action Coalition
“19th Century Health Care” Site: National Museum of Civil War Medicine
“Environmental Justice Through the Eyes of the Deep Ecologist” Site: Catoctin Zoo
“Slavery and Social Injustice”
“Acid Victims: A Spotlight on Social Injustices Faced by Women in South Asian Countries” Site: Frederick Memorial Hospital

Students choose upper-level honors electives from a wide array of options, many of which are based on student requests. Students may also elect to study abroad; sites chosen by Honors students include France, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Israel, Korea and New Zealand. Study abroad counts as one honors elective. Students who successfully complete a departmental honors paper also receive credit for one honors elective.

Sample Honors electives:

Impact of Social Media on Society
Censorship in America
Revisioning Motherhood in Modern Western Culture
The Chesapeake Bay
Food and Culture
American Landscapes: Environmental Literature in the US
Exploring Utopia

Class field trips for upper-level electives have included:

Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Maryland State Police Computer Forensics Lab, Columbia, Md.
Special Beginnings Birthing Center, Arnold, Md.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The senior seminar is a high point of the honors program, when students reflect on their experience in the Honors Program. Students choose a topic of broad interest and select a faculty member to teach the course. Sample seminar classes:

Beauty and Culture
Impact of Social Media on Society
Philosophy of Love and Sex
Why Us? The Success and Failure of Humanity

The Honors Program welcomes qualified transfer students. More information about the requirements for transfer students can be found in the Hood College Catalog. Requirements differ depending on the level of involvement a student had with Honors at their prior institution. Transfer students work closely with the Honors co-directors to identify which requirements of the Honors Program apply to them.

Transfer students may satisfy the Honors global language requirement in one of the following ways:

Demonstrate proficiency in a global language through the 202-level (by coursework or placement exam)
Successfully complete any two global language courses
Complete one global language course and one approved culture course:
Complete one global language course and one of the following:
Cultural Anthropology
International Political Economy
Economics of Development
Berlin in the 20th Century
Human Migrations: Refugees and IDPs
Global Persp/Women, Power & Politics
The Indigenous World
/357 Global Empires I/II
HON/ Perspectives in Global Health
Cultures of the Middle East
Global Learning Exp/Healthcare & Nursing

The Honors Program welcomes qualified early college students who have completed an AA, or equivalent, during their high school years. Students with 30 or more credits from International Baccalaureate (IB) programs may also qualify, with director approval.

Early college students must take the First Year Seminar in their first semester at Hood. Their progression through the Honors Program is as follows:

FYS 101H First Year Seminar Honors
HON 202 in spring semester first year
2 300-level Honors electives (or substitute study abroad or departmental honors)
1 Hon 470

They are considered transfer students for the purpose of Honors Program language requirements, which means they may satisfy the global language requirement in one of the following ways:

Demonstrate proficiency in a global language through the 202-level (by coursework or placement exam)
Successfully complete any two global language courses
Complete one global language course and one approved culture course:
Complete one global language course and one of the following:
Cultural Anthropology
International Political Economy
Economics of Development
Berlin in the 20th Century
Human Migrations: Refugees and IDPs
Global Persp/Women, Power & Politics
The Indigenous World
/357 Global Empires I/II
HON/ Perspectives in Global Health
Cultures of the Middle East
Global Learning Exp/Healthcare & Nursing