Honors Class List

Instructor: Elvira Eivazova

Cap: 15

M: 11:00 am – 12:20 pm in WARF 208

M: 1:00 pm – 2:50 pm in WARF 208

W: 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM in WARF 205

In-Person

Description:  An Honors Biology I course combines an introductory biology 1110 course with project oriented biology research activities. The course provides authentic evidence-based educational experience to undergraduates with little to no background in college-level biology or research skills.

The course emphasizes scientific methodology, principles of cellular biology (structure, function, metabolism, and cellular division), genetics and evolution. A survey of viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi is also included.

The project-based research component of this course includes Bacteriophage Discovery and/or a Survey of Wild-life/Ecology. Students involved in the Bacteriophage Discovery project will discover, isolate and characterize bacteriophages using a range of microbiology and molecular biology laboratory techniques, as well as electron microscopy. Student will prepare bacteriophage DNA for sequencing and submit it for publication to Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) bacteriophage sequence database and phage library. A select number of students will have an opportunity to present their data at the annual HHMI SEA-PHAGES student symposium (all expenses paid).

Students involved in the Wild-life/Ecology project will conduct animal field studies and analyze data. Students will develop scientific writing and presentation skills.

The course is highly beneficial for students taking science classes, specifically for those majoring in pre-health professions, biology, chemistry and veterinary studies.

Levels: Fresh Start, Undergraduate

Instructor: Amber Prock

Cap: 3

TR: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM in WLHB 119

In-Person

Description: Fundamentals of Communication (COMM 2025) introduces students to communication, examining communication history, critical thinking and multicultural communication styles, with an emphasis in public speaking presentations. Like the traditional student, honors students in COMM 2025 will complete both course exams and will participate in all three speaking assignments throughout the semester.

In lieu of traditional course journals and weekly content quizzes, honors students will create a capstone research project that they will start work on in week 3 of the course. The capstone project will require students to research and put together an outline, speech and presentation on a topic/issue of their choosing regarding Columbia State Community College. Students will present their project to a team of Columbia State representatives in Week 14 of the course. After taking this course, honors students will have experience conducting research and presenting information in a real-world setting.

Instructor: Amber Prock

Cap: 3

MW: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM in FAAT 107

In-Person

Description: Fundamentals of Communication (COMM 2025) introduces students to communication, examining communication history, critical thinking and multicultural communication styles, with an emphasis in public speaking presentations. Like the traditional student, honors students in COMM 2025 will complete both course exams and will participate in all three speaking assignments throughout the semester.

In lieu of traditional course journals and weekly content quizzes, honors students will create a capstone research project that they will start work on in week 3 of the course. The capstone project will require students to research and put together an outline, speech and presentation on a topic/issue of their choosing regarding Columbia State Community College. Students will present their project to a team of Columbia State representatives in Week 14 of the course. After taking this course, honors students will have experience conducting research and presenting information in a real-world setting.

Instructor: Benjamin Womer

Cap: 10

MW: 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM in WARF 103

In-Person OR Livestreaming

Description:  This will take the concepts of Macroeconomics and apply them to the real-world problems that exist today. Honor students will use the same textbook as non-honors students. The honors students will not be given more work, but different work that requires more applied critical thinking skills and will most likely take more time to complete than the non-honors students’ assignments. Students will work in groups to create a poster that will either be externally hung in the hallways of Warf and/or presented at the Academic and Research Fair. Students can pick between a few topics such as: Inflation, Government Stimulus Programs, National Debt… The students will be required to list the pros and cons of whatever topic they pick. On top of the group activities, there will be fun activities such as Kahoot online learning games. The course is highly beneficial for students taking other social science classes. This course will focus on using data to back up theoretical arguments about human behavior. This course will help people learn about everyday ideas such as inflation, stimulus programs, and national debt which will be applicable to any student no matter their major.

Instructor: Benjamin Womer

Cap: 10

MW: 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM in WARF 103

In-Person OR Livestreaming

Description: This will take the concepts of Microeconomics and apply them to the real-world problems that exist today. In addition to the regular work for the course, the honor students will use the same texts as non-honor students, but more applied critical thinking assignments will be used. Less weight will be given to student’s midterm and final exam grades and be compensated by the group project grade. Students will work in groups to create either a poster or PowerPoint presentation. At-least one group will make an internal PowerPoint project that will be presented to the non-honors students and only one student in the group needs to present the group project to the class. At-least one group will do a poster that would be externally hung in the hallways of Warf and/or presented at the Academic and Research Fair. Students can pick between a few topics such as: Minimum Wage, Social Programs, Healthcare, Price Controls… The students will be required to list the pros and cons of whatever topic they pick. On top of the group activities, there will be fun activities such as Kahoot online learning games. The course is highly beneficial for students taking other social science classes. This course will focus on using data to back up theoretical arguments about human behavior. This course will help people learn about everyday ideas such as minimum wage and healthcare which will be applicable to any student no matter their major.

Instructor: Jessica Evans

Cap: 5

MW: 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM in CLEM 112

In-Person

Description: In addition to the regular work for the course, ENGL 1020 Honors students will adapt a text for either Librivox (free audio book app) or the Maury County Public Library. Students will have to engage with the text analytically as well as make technical choices. Students must identify the central message as well as identifying qualities of both characters and plot devices.

Students should engage in audience awareness with either project as there is a community service that is to be provided to a real audience that is outside of the classroom. In addition, students should write a reflection essay on what they learned and skills they employed. Class objectives for the course consist of (but are not limited to): (1) critical thinking (2) problem solving and (3) analytical reasoning. After taking this course, Honor students should be able to exhibit themselves as critical readers, creative adapters, and effective writers.

Instructor: Jessica Evans

Cap: 5

TR: 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM in CLEM 216

In-Person

Description: In addition to the regular work for the course, ENGL 2235 Honors students will choose one of the following three options: (1) create a lesson plan and detailed Bibliography, OR (2) create an assignment using a rubric provided for by the professor, OR (3) adapt a text from the reading schedule to adapt as a short storytelling YouTube video for young audiences.  Each option will require a 2-3-page reflection paper.  

Students will have to engage with texts analytically as well as make technical choices.  Students should engage in audience awareness with any of the chosen projects.  In addition, students should write a reflection essay on what they learned and skills they employed.  Class objectives for the course consist of (but are not limited to): (1) critical thinking, (2) problem solving, and (3) analytical reasoning.  After taking this course, Honor students should be able to exhibit themselves as critical readers, creative adapters, and effective writers.

Instructor: Deborah J. Miller-Toothaker

Cap: 5

MW: 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM in CLEM 200

In-Person

Description: A survey of the physical, cultural, socio-economic, and political traits characteristic of developing and developed nations. Developing nations examined include those of the Latin American, African, and Asian regions. Developed nations explored include Japan and Australia, those of the North American and European regions, and the former Soviet Socialist Republics. Up to five honors students may attend lectures at the same time and day as a non-honors section of the course. They will be responsible for the same course requirements, including examinations, Mastering Geography assignments, and attendance at class meetings.

Additionally, Honors students will be responsible for two short papers and a presentation, each of which focus on a world region of the student’s choosing. The first paper will be a review of a film (chosen from an approved list of films with substantial and complex geographical content) with particular consideration given to its relevance to geographical issues. The second paper will be a reflection paper on a novel (chosen in consultation with the professor) with emphasis placed upon how the novel provides a unique snapshot of that particular place. The presentation will be a demonstration of how the student experienced that region through film and literature, in comparison with traditional modes of delivery. Regular meetings and/or correspondence with the professor are required. Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory placement test scores or completion of all competencies in Learning Support Reading and Writing.

Instructor: Anna Duch

Cap: 5

MW: 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM in CLEM 204

In-Person or Livestreaming

Description: This course covers the colonial period, winning independence, constitutional development, physical expansion, growing sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Up to five students will attend Livestreaming or in-person lectures at the same time and day as a non-honors section of the course. They will have the same responsibilities in regard to testing and attendance.

As an honors student, in lieu of regular weekly textbook homework, the student will be responsible for: a short literature review of an Early American historical topic with a poster board presentation; participation in a mock trial about the Incident on King Street – or the Boston Massacre, depending on your perspective-- and a short paper about the overall trial experience.  

All honors assignments will require inclusion of academic texts, use of the college’s research resources through the library, and regular correspondence with the professor.

Instructor: Anna Duch

Cap: 5

MW: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM in CLEM 204

In-Person OR Livestreaming

Description: This course covers the colonial period, winning independence, constitutional development, physical expansion, growing sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Up to five students will attend Livestreaming or in-person lectures at the same time and day as a non-honors section of the course. They will have the same responsibilities in regard to testing and attendance.

As an honors student, in lieu of regular weekly textbook homework, the student will be responsible for: a short literature review of an Early American historical topic with a poster board presentation; participation in a mock trial about the Incident on King Street – or the Boston Massacre, depending on your perspective-- and a short paper about the overall trial experience.  

All honors assignments will require inclusion of academic texts, use of the college’s research resources through the library, and regular correspondence with the professor.

Instructor: Anna Duch

Cap: 5

MW: 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM in CLEM 202

In-Person or Livestreaming

Description: This course covers the foundations of the modern world from the first civilizations through the fifteenth century. Topics include western and non-western classical civilizations, the Middle Ages, and the Age of Discovery.

Up to five students will attend Zoom or in-person lectures at the same time and day as a non-honors section of the course. They will have the same responsibilities in regard to testing and attendance.

As an honors student, in lieu of regular weekly textbook homework, the student will be responsible for: a short literature review of an Early World History historical topic of their choice with a poster board presentation; participation in a mock trial about Joan of Arc, and a short paper about the overall trial experience.  

All three honors assignments will require inclusion of academic texts, use of the college’s research resources through the library, and regular correspondence with the professor.

Instructor: Anna Duch

Cap: 5

TR: 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM

In-Person OR Livestreaming

Description: This course covers the foundations of the modern world from the sixteenth century through the twentieth century, including the early modern period, the age of absolutism, Age of Revolutions, the “ism’s” of the nineteenth century, the world wars of the twentieth century.   

Up to five students will attend lectures at the same time and day as a non-honors section of the course. They will have the same responsibilities in regard to testing, and attendance.

As an honors student, in lieu of regular weekly textbook homework, the student will be responsible for: a short literature review of a Modern World historical topic of their choice with a poster board presentation; participation in a mock trial about Sacco and Vanzetti, and a short paper about the overall trial experience.  

All three honors assignments will require inclusion of academic texts, use of the college’s research resources through the library, and regular correspondence with the professor.

Instructor: Erin Kealey

Cap: 5

TR: 8:00 AM – 9:20 AM in CLEM 110

In-Person

Description: An introduction to the basic problems of philosophy and a consideration of representative types of philosophical thought concerning people, nature, knowledge, and values.

Students in the Honors subsection have the same attendance and graded responsibilities as students in the main section, but additionally will read Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy and submit a series of assignments (an essay more detailed than the main section, a discussion board post, and a class presentation in lieu of the main section's presentation on a different topic) which will work through the primary philosophical text in a way that connects elements of two units that otherwise are distinct for the students in the main section.

The subsection lists a maximum of five students, but any students in the matching main section can transfer into the Honors section after meeting with the instructor and agreeing to the details of the Honors project in the first week of the semester.

Instructor: Sharon Grigsby

Cap: 5

MW: 9:30 – 10:50 in CLEM 110

In-Person

Description: Psychology 1030 introduces the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Topics include history and research methods, biological aspects of psychology, variations of consciousness, cognitive processes, human development and personality, motivation, social psychology, and psychological disorders and therapies.

As an honors class, along with the regular academic responsibilities of weekly discussions and modular assignments, the students will conduct two scientific research projects utilizing the survey method of application and will participate in a scripted, published podcast. These specific honors assignments will take the place of the final essay and PowerPoint presentation.

Psychology 1030 introduces the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Topics include history and research methods, biological aspects of psychology, variations of consciousness, cognitive processes, human development and personality, motivation, social psychology, and psychological disorders and therapies.

As an honors class, along with the regular academic responsibilities of weekly discussions and modular assignments, the students will conduct two scientific research projects utilizing the survey method of application and will participate in a scripted, published podcast. These specific honors assignments will take the place of the final essay and PowerPoint presentation.

Instructor: Thomas Moore

Cap: 5

MW: 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM in FHUM 213

In-Person

Description: The honors section of Introduction of Sociology will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the sociological perspective by applying it to their reading and analysis of the book, The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson. Like the other students, honors students will take all three exams which covers our textbook so there are expected to stay on-track with reading our textbook, attending lectures and participating in class. Honors students will not have to do the standard quizzes, online discussions, nor final short paper on gender stereotypes. In place of those items, beginning on the 5th week of the course, they will begin reading the book The Ghost Map and submit weekly, brief (2-4 paragraph) responses to questions which apply the sociological perspective to each of the 7 assigned chapters. Here, students are tasked with demonstrating the ability to add sociological context to the story being examined which broadens the understanding of the historical event being examined and strengthens their sociological imagination. Students will end the semester with a final paper where they will submit a short 4-5 page response to specific questions grounded in the sociological perspectives where students will be expected to demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and mastery of sociological concepts and a strong grasp of their presence in The Ghost Map.