Honors Courses

Honors sections of the following standard VCU courses will be offered. Please see the VCU Bulletin for course descriptions. 

• Biology 152
• Biology 300
• Biology 310
• Business 325
• Chemistry 102
• Economics 210
• Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies 201
• Mass Communication 408
• Mass Communication 493
• Philosophy 201
• Philosophy 230
• Political Science 365/International Studies 365
• Psychology 498
• Psychology 499
• Statistics 210
• Survey of Art II (ARTH 104)

The following Honors Topics courses (HONR 398; 3 credit hours) will be offered:

Community Development

CRN 38241 | 2:00-3:15 | TR

Professor Brandi Daniels

Despite various global, diverse communities located around the world, social impact is more robust in collaborative environment. To impact positive social changes, leaders in these communities must understand the cultural competence as well as the critical needs/barriers present in communities. This course examines community engagement, including but not limited to theories of citizenship, human rights, social movements, civic leadership, social justice, civil discourse, and social capital strategies.

Diving into Qualitative Research

CRN 38209 | 10:00-11:15 | MW

Dr. Christy Tyndall

In a range of disciplines, scholars and professionals are increasingly recognizing the importance of using exploratory qualitative (non-statistical) and mixed research methods to advance knowledge in ways that allow for a richer and more in-depth understanding of phenomena and processes of interest.  This course is designed for students interested in adding tools of scholarly inquiry to their research toolboxes and will provide an engaging introduction to qualitative approaches, study design, data collection, and analysis based on documents, field observations, and interviews. Students will also gain experience writing and presenting qualitative research based on a topic of personal interest.

Drivers of Global Change

CRN 38239 | 4:00-6:40 | W

Professor Brian Toibin

Global challenges are accelerating the demand for sustainable change in every aspect of our lives. This course provides a framework for understanding the major drivers and prioritizing critical strategies to address them.

Molecular Basis for Human Disease

CRN 36931 | 2:00-3:15 | TR

Medical Sciences Building (MCV Campus)

Dr. Keith Baker

This class examines the biochemical and genetic basis for common and rare human diseases, and considers the clinical pathways that lead to diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from them. In order to be successful, students should have a fundamental understanding of biochemistry, biology and genetics, as this class stresses the application of these fundamental disciplines and how they relate to onset, progression and treatment. 

Social Justice and the Arts

CRN 38662 | 10:00-11:15 | MW

Professor Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead

In Social Justice and the Arts, students will investigate the relationship between social justice and the arts (theatre, visual arts, and music), with a particular focus on contemporary dramatic literature, i.e. plays that contribute to social and political change, such as The Exonerated, My Name is Rachel Corrie, Notes From the Field, The Good Body, The Laramie Project, and Have You Filled a Bucket Today? As a classroom community we will critically analyze and discuss other relevant texts, including videos and images, and will engage with leaders from the VCU and Richmond arts communities. Students will research social (justice) issues of particular interest to them and will look at the ways in which various art forms expose and help to resolve issues of social justice, inspiring us to act and effect positive change. Assignments will include oral presentations, multi-media projects, creative writing, reflection papers, peer review, and traditional research.

Storytelling, Presenting, and You

CRN TBA | 12:00-1:15 | W

Professor Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead

Have you ever seen a TED Talk? Have you ever been inspired by one? In this course, students will study various traditional and video texts, including TED Talks, in order to hone their presentation and interpersonal communication skills. The focus of the course will be on the three essential components of effective presentations: research & preparation, design, and delivery. Students will also explore the skills involved in understanding oneself, understanding the audience, “framing the story,” and maximizing the power of storytelling, all presentation elements that are often undervalued. In addition, students will critically analyze sample presentations and will practice delivering presentations in class.

Nietzsche and Spirituality

CRN TBA | 4:00-6:40 | W

Professor James Wilson

Nietzche is popularly associated with attack on mortality, invective against religion, the declaration of God's death, and the promotion of power. It may seem strange, therefore, to identify Nietzche as a resource for understanding and living meaningful and virtuous lives, as a fruitful conversation partner regarding human spirituality. The purpose of this short course, however, is to do just that, to see Nietzsche's critical writings as clearing the way for a life-affirming, naturalized spirituality. ("It is in our wild nature that we best recover from our un-nature, our sprituality...," Nietzsche wrote in Twilight of the Idols). To this end, we will look at Nietzsche's life in its historical context and explore a variety of his writings which show him to have been a deeply spiritual thinker who advocated a this-worldly spirituality.

World Events as Depicted in Broadway Musicals

CRN TBA | 4:00-6:40 | M

Dr. Patrick Smith

A survey of historical world events as portrayed through American Broadway Musicals. Students will gain knowledge of major, life-impacting events through the present day, witness the ways in which these events inspired some musical creations of the Broadway musical stage, and recognize similarities and differences between historical fact and theatrical representation. Through the duration of the semester, class meeting topics will alternate weekly between viewing selected musicals (in class) and lecture/discussions.

Instrumental Electronics for Chemists

CRN TBA | 8:30-11:30 | R

Professor Julio Alvarez

The goal of this course is to provide students with experiential learning on the fundamentals of signal acquisition and processing employed in modern scientific instrumentation. Chemical instruments measure physicochemical properties that are converted into electrical signals through myriads of electronic components, all controlled by computer and with the aim of maximizing signal over noise. Because of their complexity, modern instruments tend to be perceived as “black boxes”, however regardless of purpose or analytical technique, the instrumentation process always relies on fundamental steps of signal acquisition and signal processing. This course intends to deliver guided inquiry learning about the commonalities of signal acquisition and processing that pervade most analytical instruments. The course is divided in three portions, starting with a review of electricity concepts and common electronic components found in instruments, followed by a section on signal acquisition and a final section on signal processing. To facilitate learning, the programing languages Matlab® and Simulink® (Mathworks®) will be used to model specific examples of components, circuits and basic processes of signal acquisition and processing. This software package, already available to VCU faculty and students at no charge is ideally suited for this course because it contains software toolboxes for signal acquisition and processing.

Digital Media Game Changers

CRN TBA | 12:30-1:45 | TR

Professor Bonnie Davis

This course will focus on digital news entrepreneurs and organizations that are rewriting the rules for delivering news and growing audiences in today's 24-7 news climate. Students will be introduced to global game changers whose creative and innovative approaches are gaining new audiences while traditional news platforms continue to lose audiences. In addition to lectures and required readings in academic, commercial and trade publications, students will gain real-world perspectives from select digital change agents in Richmond (Virginia Mercury), Washington, D.C. (NPR), New York (BuzzFeed, Vox, theSkimm, Bloomberg Digital), and Silicon Valley (TechCrunch), and globally (Vice). Such perspectives will be shared in person, or through live videos/webinars. In addition to building comparative analyses of select news organizations, students will write articles and produce videos and podcasts that feature interviews with local or national digital news entrepreneur or organization. This course will enable students across various disciplines to learn first-hand the challenges and rewards of building a digital news company that engages global audiences.

 

The following Honors Module courses (HONR 399; 1.5 credit hours) will be offered:

Foundations of Authentic Leadership and Influence

CRN  TBA | 10:00-12:40 | F

March 20 - April 17

Professor Ditu Kasuyi

This course introduces students to a wide variety of concepts and theories about leadership. The course provides students with the fundamental issues in practice and theory of leadership. Students will learn about the necessary abilities to be an authentic leader, such as the leadership lid, and different leadership styles, from transformational leadership to innovative leadership. Complementary reading will support the theoretical concepts introduced in this course. Practice will be used as a tool to reflect upon one’s own leadership style as well as to apply the taught leadership styles.

Honors sections of the following standard VCU courses will be offered. Please see the VCU Bulletin for course descriptions. 

• Art History 103: Survey of Art I
• Biology 151
• Biology 300
• Biology 310
• Chemistry 101
• Chemistry 301 lab
• Economics 210
• Economics 461 (Fed Challenge)
• Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate 311
• Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies 201
• Marketing 301
• Mathematics 201
• Philosophy 201
• Philosophy 230
• Political Science 365/International Studies 365
• Psychology 101
• Statistics 210

 

The following Honors Topics courses (HONR 398; 3 credit hours) will be offered:

Disrupting Ageism: An Exploration of Diversity and Aging F 12-2:40 p.m. (CRN 39517; Prof. John White)

Despite stereotypes, we become more diverse and unique as we age. The art and science of living and aging is not a one-size fits all model. This course will explore issues related to gender and sexual minorities as well as a focus on aging within communities of privilege. Special attention will be paid to roles, power and how they impact our aging. Throughout the semester, we will engage with community partners (elders and organizations) to further study barriers and opportunities for positive aging among diverse populations. *This honors section is also designated as a service-learning course.*

Hollywood and the Twentieth Century T 2-4:40 p.m. (CRN 38566; Prof. Ivy Roberts)

As a mass medium, film is both shaped by the broader culture of the society in which it is produced and itself shapes how members of that society understand the world around them. In this course, students will learn about Hollywood as arguably the most powerful culture industry of the twentieth century, setting the terms of public discourse and political debate even as Hollywood films and their creators were the scrutinized objects of both. We will consider the ideas and identities excluded by mainstream cinema, and look to the filmmakers both in and outside of Hollywood who sought (and seek) to make film more inclusive. Along the way, students will learn how to analyze film as a unique (and uniquely powerful) visual medium.

Homelessness at Home R 6-8:40 p.m. (CRN 39126; Prof. Susan Sekerke)

As an urban-based university, the issue of homelessness cannot be avoided on VCU's campus. Homelessness typically happens when one (or more) social safety-net program(s) does not function as expected. This class will provide students an opportunity to learn and experience the issues while promoting critical thought and action. Students will examine the causes of homelessness, become familiar with local services, and learn about national best practices. The class will encourage the application of community engagement knowledge and skills through hands-on practice of community engagement.

HONR 398: Intercultural Communication MW 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (CRN 38985; Prof. Shira Schieken)

This course will increase students’ intercultural competence by providing them with a set of cognitive tools to be used in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Throughout the semester, we will examine the concept and impact of culture and how cultural frameworks influence our daily and professional communication. Topics will focus on cultural self-awareness; understanding of cultural contexts, worldviews and perspectives; verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as, challenges to intercultural communication. 

 

The following Honors Modules (HONR 399; 1.5 credit hours) will be offered:

Freedom of Speech Sept. 6-Oct. 4, F 2-4:40 p.m. (CRN 39278; Prof. Carol Rasnic)

This course will cover the constitutional right to freedom of expression under the First Amendment (1791) to the U.S. Constitution.  Readings will be U.S. Supreme court decision (or instruction-reduced portions of those decisions) and some short articles (law journals and/or newspaper extracts).Emphasis will be on judicially created exceptions to this constitutional protection, including, most importantly, “clear-and-present-danger”, “fighting words,” defamation, communications that incite violence (for example., state statutes that prohibit cross burning). There will be occasional comparisons with comparable freedoms (or lack thereof in a few other countries. This class is not for those who are easily offended!

Reuse, Recycle, Re-create (Art) Sept. 4-Oct. 2, W 1-3:40 p.m. (CRN 39276; Prof. Chelsea Lee)

Create one of a kind artworks out of everyday objects. Get outside the classroom to source reusable and recyclable materials to create sculptural artworks. We’ll get inspiration with visits to the ICA, and local galleries, begin to see the things around you in a different way.

Social, Economic Changes in American Cities and Suburbs Aug. 20-Sept. 17, T 5-7:40 p.m. (CRN 36488 sec 703;

Prof. John Palen)

This module will provide a synoptic view of the processes and consequences of American urbanization. We shall restrict our attention to the last 150 years with major attention devoted to the last 60 or so years of post World War II suburban growth and change. In our discussion, emphasis will be placed not only on what has occurred and is occurring, but also on its causation and implications for American society. The module will have three overlapping sections. The first will deal with the historical emergence of American Suburbs up to World War II. The second section will discuss mass suburbanization, suburbs and popular culture, suburban lifestyles, and the impact of government policy. The final section will deal with contemporary and future patterns including minority suburbanization, the emergence of edge cities and malls, and the new neo-traditional new urbanism communities.

Honors POLI 365: International Political Economy Online, May 20 - July 10 (CRN 31771)

The Honors College faculty and staff are dedicated to developing a unique program of courses that challenges and stimulates students while encouraging open discussion and individual responsibility. At times it may be appropriate for an Honors student to convert a non-Honors course into Honors by working closely with a faculty mentor to develop an Honors plan of study. The student and faculty member collaborate to adjust the standard class syllabus into an Honors version that includes more advanced work. The Honors work may be done in place of regular assignments, or could be completed in addition to the regular assignments. You and the instructor should determine and specify on the course contract what percentage of your final grade this Honors-caliber work will comprise. No more than six of the total credit hours required for graduation with Honors may be taken as contract courses.

Honors Contract Steps

1) First, speak with your Honors advisor about the process to avoid typical pitfalls.

2) Second, identify which course you want to contract and request that the instructor work with you to convert the class for Honors. ***Note: The faculty member is under no obligation to agree. ***

3) Review the Non Honors to Honors Contract Instruction Guide (rev 2/19)

4) When you have finished your proposal in consultation with the instructor, fill out the Non Honors to Honors Contract Proposal Form.

***The proposal must be approved by the Honors College Senior Associate Dean prior to the first day of classes for the given semester.***

***Proposals are due on the last day of classes (Monroe Park Campus) per the VCU academic calendar in the semester prior to the semester of the contract course.***

Please note that course contracts are not allowed for any of the core Honors curriculum courses. In addition, because summer and winter intercession courses are considerably compressed due to time constraints, they are not eligible for the Honors course contract option.

(1) Example of an Honors Course Contract

(2) Example of an Honors Course Contract

The Honors Independent study (HONR 492) provides an opportunity for you to learn more about a specific topic of interest that is not included among existing VCU course offerings. Study is conducted under the guidance of a VCU faculty mentor who assists in planning and implementing the course of study. The independent study topic should be selected in consultation with your academic advisor to ensure that the proposed course of study is relevant to your educational goals.

***HONR 492 is a 1-4 credit hour option. The credit hours will be determined by the senior associate dean of the Honors College***

***Note: Honors students may not accumulate more than 9 credit hours of HONR 492 credit***

HONR Independent Study Steps

1) First, consult with your Honors advisor to review the process and discuss any typical pitfalls

2) Identify a topic to explore independently and research faculty members who might be a good fit for your goals. 

3) Reach out to the faculty member and request that they serve as your faculty mentor 

***The faculty member is under no obligation to agree to serve as your mentor.***

4) Design your proposal around pursuing your own interest questions; not assisting with the research of another!

5) Read through the Independent Study Instruction Guide (rev 2/19) 

6) Fill out the Honors Independent Study Proposal Form

***Note: The proposal must be approved by the Honors College Senior Associate Dean prior to the first day of classes for the given semester. 

***Note: Proposals are due by the last day of classes (Monroe Park Campus) per the VCU academic calendar in the semester prior to the semester of the contract course. 

Faculty Role

The role of the faculty mentor is to guide the student in the study of the topic, meeting with the student to discuss progress, working with the student’s Honors advisor as needed to develop criteria for evaluating the student’s work, and communicating the grade for the course to the Honors Senior Associate Dean.

The faculty mentor must agree to be available to the student throughout the duration of the course.

Example of an Independent Study Contract

The Honors College Internship (HONR 493) provides an opportunity for you to engage in experiential learning. It is designed to provide students with real-world experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The internship is conducted under the guidance of an employer who assists in planning and implementing the internship along with the approval of the Senior Associate Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Mason. The internship should be selected in consultation with your academic advisor to ensure that the proposed internship is relevant to your educational goals.

The number of internship credit hours for a single HONR 493 course may range from one to three credits. The number of credits is determined by the student’s advisor and the dean of the Honors College. Any single internship course may not exceed three credit hours. Honors students may not register for more than six total credits of HONR 493.

Please note: HONR 493 DOES NOT COUNT AS A COURSE OF INTENTION; however, the course will count for Honors credit. Make sure to meet with your honors advisor to discuss how this internship will be applied towards your honors requirements.

HONR 493 is graded pass/fail. HONR 493 is restricted to Junior- and Senior-level status. The Honors College Senior Associate Dean, Jacqueline Smith-Mason, will determine the grade for the course based on the evaluation criteria stated in the internship proposal.

Two Internship Options:

1) You may apply for a "Pre-Approved" internship option on Handshake. Click on this link here to find instructions on how to look up the "Pre-Approved" internships on Handshake. 

• You will find the internship post and description on Handshake along with the application portal
• Once you apply and are accepted, contact the coordinator of academic affairs, Jared Johnson (jajohnson4@vcu.edu) to discuss whether or not you want to submit the HONR 493 form to have it apply towards honors credit.
•   Pre-Approved Internships do not require a written proposal

2) You apply and are accepted for an external internship on your own and want it to apply towards HONR 493 credit. 

• Once you have been accepted for your internship, contact the coordinator of academic affairs, Jared Johnson (jajohnson4@vcu.edu) to discuss the requirements for the written proposal and internship
• Write your proposal and submit it to the HONR 493 form
• Fulfill all obligations for your internship as listed in the instruction guide. 

Deadlines for pre-approved internships to fill out the HONR 493 Internship Form will be August 1 for fall terms, January 1 for spring terms, and May 1 for summer terms.

Deadlines for external internships to fill out the HONR 493 Internship Form and submit their proposal will be August 1 for Fall terms, January 1 for Spring terms, and May 1 for summer terms. 

If you are interested in applying for any of these approved internship opportunities, please e-mail the Coordinator of Academic Affairs for the Honors College, Mr. Jared Johnson.