USI » Honors Program » Course Component Ideas

USI Honors Program

Course Component Ideas

Honors components have been added to courses in the following areas. Click on any given subject area to view the courses and components which have been completed for Honors credit.

Accounting
Art
Biology
Communication
Criminology
Economics
Education
English
French
Geology
German
History
Humanities
Liberal Arts Capstone
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Military Science
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Philosophy
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Radiologic and Imaging Sciences
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre
University Division

Accounting:

Acct 202 Accounting Principles II
- Calculate financial ratios for a local firm and interpret how well the company is doing based on financial analysis. Provide recommendations for the future success of this company. Maintain a portfolio of all information gathered during company visits, compile the financial statement analysis and interpretation into a report, and give a short presentation of the outcome to the class.
- Evaluate the development of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) enacted by the International Accounting Standards Board, the impact of European Union Regulation on companies, countries, and capital markets, and the process of convergence of IFRS with U.S. GAAP. Present the findings.

Art:

Art 361 Printmaking I
- Create a series of prints to be donated to the USI permanent collection. Maintain a common theme for the prints, inspired from a life occurrence. Include an essay explanation of the prints as part of the project.

Biology:

Biol 221 Introduction to Etymology
- Develop a laboratory exercise for the course based on one or more previously published experiments. The exercise should focus on the growth and/or communication of insects. After the exercise is drafted, conduct the experiment and create a lab report for the results.
Biol 251 Environmental Conservation
- First, report on an article in a scientific journal that provides a study into the effect of chemicals on humans. Complete a two-page paper summarizing the study, giving perspective on how the findings are applicable to human and environmental health, and describing realistic actions which could be taken to reduce this threat. Second, read “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn. Write a two-page paper on how the story may have provoked you to analyze the ways and beliefs of man. Last, under the instructor’s approval, volunteer for a community environmental service for two hours or more.
- Write a four-page paper discussing the history of Earth Day. Describe how the event is planned and executed. Attend Earth Day services on April 22nd and participate in activities deemed necessary by the instructor.
Biol 282 Heredity and Society
- Research various topics relating to Human Genetics and Heredity, such as the Human Genome Project, contemporary genetic counseling, and "Genetic Genealogy." Produce a portfolio of the research and a summary of the findings.
Biol 492 Special Problems
- Write a successful RISC grant and present your research at the USI RISC Showcase Poster Session.

Communication:

Cmst 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
- Create a presentation documenting the progress and goals of a community foundation. Interview a minimum of three persons involved with or affected by the foundation. Film each interview. Gather other information about the foundation, and include this information in the presentation. Edit and publish the end result as a news report.
- Complete two extra 10-15 minute speeches in addition to regular speeches assigned in class. One of the two will be a persuasion speech in which you take the opposite view of your own, and the other will be a speech to inform the audience of recent news in the world.
- Engage in a student-directed, faculty guided research project to be place on display in a local venue. This project, an example of visual rhetoric, will provide a designated audience with more in-depth information regarding a topic of interest to the student. The display will be accompanied by an oral presentation.
Cmst 107 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
- In a group, select a behavior to study observationally. Create and publish, as a group, an analysis of your findings in the form of a paper (approximately 20 pages). The analysis should include a cover page, the hypothesis, the research method, data analysis, discussion of the results, a bibliography page, and a description of individual contributions to the group.
- Conduct outside-of-class interviews and share the experiences with the class. Write a paper/report for each interview conducted. Second, volunteer in the community for a set number of hours per week throughout the semester, forming a friendship with at least one individual. Complete a journal tracking the progress.

Criminology:

Crim 141 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Visit a correctional facility for a 2-3 hour tour. Write an 8-page reflective essay on the experience. The paper will be evaluated based on mechanics (MLA format) as well as coverage of the following topics: relation of the experience to the classroom and text; description of "characters" involved (corrections officers, administration, prisoners, support staff, visitors); and personal opinion of how productive the system is. Discuss with instructor how your opinions and and experience compare and contrast to those of the instructor.

Economics:

Econ 208 Microeconomic Principles
- Select two different mutual funds and obtain a prospectus for each. Create an Excel spreadsheet, enter the rate each of your mutual funds has earned for the past 30 years, and then select three different dollar amounts to be saved each year. Calculate the accumulated financial assets over a thirty-year period, and then over a fifteen-year period. Analyze the results, and then draft advice you would give to a young college graduate who wishes to save the same amount over fifteen years instead of thirty.
- Investigate the economic implications, for the music industry, after the development of media-sharing systems. Produce a paper reporting the technological advancements which made the sharing possible and analyze the economic consequences of the development.
- Choose a dividend-paying publicly traded company. Complete a research paper and presentation to the class. Paper may include topics such as how supply of and demand for the company's products or services correlates with earnings and/or stock price and the steps the company has taken to improve its business. Suggest ways the company might further improve its business.
Econ 241 Global Economic Issues
- Complete a formal research paper on a broad number of aspects on a single global economics issue. For example, expand on the global economics issues involved with HIV by including the aspects relating to biology and medicine. Include various approaches to the background of the issue, current issues surrounding the topic, and proposals to ease the problem.
- Complete a paper that examines the recent history of trade between U.S. and South Korea and attempts to explain the 'structural break' in the trade pattern that emerges around the year 2000.

Education:

Educ 201 Educational Psychology
- Participate in a philanthropic activity to gain interaction with children and adolescents outside the classroom. Select a community-based organization, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, etc. Relate in a two-page paper how working with that organization will assist them professionally, contact the organization and schedule an interview, and provide at least 18 hours of community service to that organization over the course of the semester. Throughout the course, submit five two-page reflection papers to review and apply relevant learning theories to volunteering experiences.
Educ 242 Growth and Development of the Young Child
- Conduct a research project that would be beneficial to the parents at the USI Childcare Center. This project should attempt to answer concerns or questions parents might have concerning the development of their children, aged 2-5. The information should be presented in a notebook fashion including websites, books, or pamphlets parents could consult to find answers to their concerns.
Educ 243 Children’s Literature
- Work with an ESVC elementary school to help coordinate activities for March 2, Dr. Seuss Day, a national reading day. Create a brochure about Dr. Seuss’s books and the activities planned for the day. The brochure should be geared toward parents and teachers as an informational tool.
Educ 294 Foundations of Education
- Read an approved book (for example, Images of Schoolteachers in Twentieth-Century America by P. Joseph and G. Burnaford, eds.), and prepare a 75-minute presentation about how teachers are portrayed in popular culture.
Educ 302 Multicultural Education
- Actively participate in the Student Education Association (SEA), and research and stay updated on the ISEA Outreach to Teach project. Inform SEA members about and seek volunteers for Outreach.
Educ 304 Introduction to Middle Level Teaching
- Research the effects of poverty in the classroom, develop a lesson plan based on the findings, and give a 30-minute presentation to the class on the topic.
- Develop a lesson relating to creative learning, teach the lesson to two grade levels, and compare the grade levels in a teaching reflection. In making the comparisons, record ideas for how to improve the lesson in the future.
Educ 306 Introduction to Exceptional Needs
- Research fifteen exceptional needs in education topics. Find two sources for each topic. Organize the list of topics, key research findings from each topic, and sources on a paper to be handed in.
Educ 343 Children's Literature
- Assist in the planning and facilitation of a program performed by an elementary school class.
Educ 378 Reading and Language Arts in Elementary School
- Test the level of proficiency of students' reading by using the Rigby PM Leveling System.
Educ 397 Developmental Literacy
- Be an adult chaperone for an overnight camping trip with a local school. Create a photojournal of the trip, with captions, to describe the experiences. Donate the photojournal, after presenting it to the class, to the elementary school.
Educ 398 Balanced Reading Strategies and Practices
- Observe a variety of classrooms of different grade levels to monitor how Literacy Across the Curriculum is implemented in all subject area. Interview teachers on their feelings of the program and its success, and interview students on their feelings about reading and writing in every subject. Implement the findings into a lesson plan, and complete a summary of the observations and interviews.
Educ 448 Synthesis Seminar in Secondary Teaching
- Complete a professional website with a resume and other important information.

English:

Eng 101 Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition
- Choose a field of research based on the subject matter in chapter 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 in Searching for Great Ideas. Decide on three broad questions regarding the topic to answer. Write a five-page position paper on the topic, and give a five-to-ten minute oral presentation defending your conclusions.
- Design a fun and stimulating activity for children. Volunteer at a day care to gather information about what children would want or need. Complete the project, and offer the activity to the place the volunteer work was completed.
- Volunteer at a shelter for physical or emotional abuse. Help to promote the shelter, or help with any activities the shelter is sponsoring. Record the experiences in a journal, including activities as well as time spent volunteering.
- Organize a letter-writing service which allows children here to become pen pals with children in another area of the country or world. Keep a journal of the progress, and write a reaction paper to the experience, outlining the steps in the project and any elements you would change.
Eng 105 Introduction to Literature
- Read a literary work of fiction suggested by the instructor (for example, The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Write an analysis of the work, discussing the various aspects of literature including theme, plot, symbolism, setting, and characters. Also, create a presentation based off the paper using visual aids.
- Volunteer at a local library, and do activities with the children who attend. Keep a record of hours spent, and activities completed. Activity examples include reading to the children, teaching them about sites they can use on the internet, and helping the children with homework.
- Read the play “Othello.” Then watch a production of Shakespeare’s “Othello” and the recently released film “O.” Complete a paper with a minimum of three pages comparing both the drama and the two videos. After the paper is complete, present your findings orally to the class.
- Research a poet discussed in class and give an oral report on his/her life and work.
Eng 201 Rhetoric and Composition II: Argumentation
- Create a project highlighting a persuasive tactic used in the real world. For example, research subliminal messages in advertising, study its effects on daily routines, and present your findings in both written and presentation form.
- Work in a group to prepare an “issues” booklet, showcasing different viewpoints on a single topic of your choice. The booklet should resemble those used in Honors 101.
- Research the area of “nonacademic” writing in the workplace. Complete a research proposal to the instructor, do primary and statistical research gathering, conduct interviews, gather all your results together for a final product to be turned in.
- Volunteer at a local children’s organization, such as the Hillcrest Home. Choose a topic to teach to the children, and design activities to further understanding. Engage the children in activities, and keep track of the time spent and activities completed.
- Work in a team to produce a persuasive research paper that represents two approaches and/or solutions to a controversial local or campus issue.
- Expand on the research paper assigned to the class, extending it to 8-10 pages rather than 5 pages.
Eng 255 British Literary History
- Write an expanded version of the final research paper (minimum 9-pages) and give a short (5-10 minute) but detailed presentation to the class on the scholarship found and how it contributes to the readers' understanding or appreciation of the text.
- In addition to the final paper assigned to the class, choose one of the following options: write a 4-5 page argument on poetry, literature, art or criticism/scholarship, using Wordsworth, Shelley, Ruskin, or Wilde as your models; write a collection of poetry including 4-7 poems imitating, parodying, or modeling different poetic styles you've studied during the semester; collect 6-8 scholarly articles and write 2-3 sentence annotations for each that summarize and evaluate the article's main argument; prepare a 15-20 minute lesson and present it to the class; or write a quiz of 10 or 11 questions and explain in a short paragraph why you've chosen each question.
Eng 265 Survey of American Lit History
- Design a pamphlet or manual for use in the University's Career Services Office. Shadow both an academic and a public librarian to find out more about library science and outline your observations in a document that will enable future students to make career decisions more easily.
Eng 285 Introduction to Film
- Interview a person who was of movie-going age during the period of World War II to 1952. Record the interview, either audibly or visually. The topics to include in the interview should center on personal recollections of attending the movies in that time. Then type up a personal response to the interview, summarizing history learned from the interview as well as personal reactions to the interview itself.
- Research and assemble a mailing list of distributors that are potential sources for 35mm film rentals, as 35mm prints of older films are increasingly hard to find. Write and mail off letters of inquiry asking for more information, titles available, prices, rental policies, and any further potential sources for 35mm film rentals. Collect and collate the results in notebook form to present to the instructor for use in planning future classes and the “Friday Night in the Forum” film series.
Eng 302 Introduction to Creative Writing
- Write a five-page paper on the life and selected works of a contemporary American poet or fiction writer.
- Give an oral report on the life and selected works of a contemporary American poet or fiction writer.
- Work with the instructor in the hopes of publishing your own creative work. Write your own short story, poetry, novel, etc., and then allow the instructor to give constructive criticism on various points which need development.
- Research and give two short presentations (5-10 minutes long) to the class about authors whose work you read about during the semester. The presentations should include biographical information about the author and may include short samples of other writings by the author the student finds particularly relevant. Additionally the student will choose to either complete a short story, poem revisions, or a dated journal with a least one page of creative writing work per week of the course.
Eng 313 Introduction to Linguistics
- Conduct a study based loosely on the work of Eleanor Rosh and S. L. Armstrong to determine whether and how prototypes are similar or different across languages. Complete an additional 5-page research paper over the results of the study comparing the applications of prototype theory in English and Spanish. Report the results and speculate on their meaning, and present the findings in class.
Eng 330 Ethnic Literature in America
- Using the true background of a historical ethnic figure in the United States, create a project about this figure and two generations afterward. Consider producing “artifacts” from the person’s life. These “artifacts” may include diaries, marriage contracts, letters, photos, etc.
Eng 402 Advanced Creative Writing
- Edit and reproduce a collection of all the creative writing exercises generated by the class. Distribute the collection to class members by the last week of class.

French:

Fren 203 Intermediate French I
- Study five French poems and five song lyrics from different historical periods that reflect changing cultural patterns. Compare and contrast these works by examining the effects of the era and various historical events on the lyrics, style, etc. Write a one-page commentary on each work and a paper that reflects the cultural implications of the works studied, which is four-to five-page is length. Present these findings.
- Study Eugene Ionesco's one-act play Le Maitre. Memorize at least one scene and present it to an audience of French students.
Fren 204 Intermediate French II
- Read and watch a video of an approved French play, such as Huis clos by Jean-Paul Sartre. Write a paper over the play and discuss the play with the class in French.
Fren 303 Contemporary French Culture
- Become an expert on the main issues in French social life and politics. Read the newspaper Le Monde (or another French news outlet), and select articles that pertain to issues of interest. Develop a list of these issues and keep track of their development. Keep a journal of the progress, and turn in a portfolio of the articles. Give an oral presentation of the issues upon completion of the project.

Geology:

Geol 115 Landscapes and Geology of North America
- Research one of the many popular national parks of the United States and present your information in a research paper including geological concepts from class material.
Geol 161 Physical Geology
- Create a series of artwork using minerals. Explore area nature preserves until you find something interesting to photograph. Draw the image, research which minerals known to be in the Evansville area, collect or order the minerals, powder the minerals for use as pigments, and use the pigments to color the drawing.

German:

Germ 203 Intermediate German 1
- Complete a final project on Erica Kastner, a German author who lived and tried to publish during the Nazi era.

History:

Hist111 World Civilizations to 1500
- Complete a research paper no less than eight pages that compares and contrasts one cultural element from two different civilizations. These civilizations must be separated by chronology and geography.
Hist112 World Civilizations II
- Read two approved historical books pertaining to a topic discussed in class. Prove comprehension of the books by completing two book reviews.
Hist308 US History since 1945
- Write an 8-10 page paper concerning the effects and history of the Marshall Plan within the confines of the history of the United States.
Hist311 History of Women and Gender in America
- In addition to other course requirements, complete a 10-page minimum term paper on a topic of your choice approved by the instructor.
Hist341 Ancient Greece to Alexander
- Determine the direction(s) in which scholars currently approach the study of Classical Athens by analyzing R. Mieggs' The Athenian Empire (Oxford 1972). Following this phase of the project, focus on one scholar in order to ascertain the current state of scholarship within this field. Submit a ten-page paper at the end of the semester in which you assess the current trends and approaches toward Athenian history of the 5th century B.C.
Hist 342 The Hellenistic Age
- Read two books of the age under the suggestion of the instructor. Write an analytical paper over one of the books or contrasting the two. Also, a discussion of the books with the instructor will be expected.
- Read Ferguson's Hellenistic Athens and Habicht's Athens from Alexander to Antony. Write a paper (minimum ten pages) in which you describe some of the sources unavailable to Ferguson and how Habicht has utilized them to reshape historians' understanding of the subject.
Hist 343 Roman Republic
- Read a number of political speeches from this time period (for example-those by Cicero). Analyze the speeches from a political and legal perspective. Compare and contrast the content and ideas from that time period with America’s government today.
- Read works two works by Erich Gruen, one discussing the acquisition of the Roman Empire and the other its ultimate fall. Write a four-page analysis on each book, explaining Gruen's thesis concerning each question. Cite and discuss examples the author uses to support his conclusions, and evaluate his use of that evidence.
Hist 344 Roman Empire
- Gain an appreciation of modern historiography by reading R. Syme's Roman Revolution (Oxford 1939) and place the work into the modern historiographical tradition. Write a paper of ten pages minimum explaining Syme's thesis and its significance. Discuss the influence his work has had on subsequent scholarship.
Hist 392 History of Japan
- Prepare an additional 10-15 page paper and presentation to he class on the topic of "Vilification and Glorification of Japan in Hollywood", detailing the circumstances surrounding the vilification of Japan during WWII and the 1950s, to the glorification of the country now seen today in films such as Memoirs of a Geisha and The Last Samurai.

Humanities:

Hum 211 The Western Tradition in the Humanities I
- Read one extra book not assigned in the class and approved by the instructor. Write six commentaries over the book throughout various stages of reading.
- Read six different letters written by Abelard and Heloise. Write commentaries over each letter, and write one final commentary summarizing your final impressions.
- Read The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid. Submit a ten-page essay addressing the similarities and differences in characters, in style, in methodology, and rhetorical devices employed between each epic.
Hum 221 The Western Tradition in Art History I
- Research funerary art and architecture in Southern Indiana, concentrating on Evansville. Compare this region’s funerary art and architecture with that of other cultures covered in Hum 221.
- Go to a historical architectural site in Evansville or surrounding areas, such as Angel Mounds. Gather information about the site and its history. Make sketches of the site, collect literature, take notes, and ask questions of caretakers, etc. Collect and research books which have to do with the history of the people who created the site. Finally, compare the historical and artistic significance with architectural sites formed today.
- Investigate the issues surrounding an issue such as Native American artifact reburial. Record, in both written and electronic form, the findings. Submit abstracts of the papers for the USI Honors Conference, held in April, and then present the papers at the conference.
- Locate and document by video architectural monuments in Evansville. Record the exact locations of each monument, and document the monument completely, with shots of the surrounding area, the entire monument, and details. Cite if the monument is an example of any structural systems discussed in class. State both the historical and local purpose of the monument. Finally, submit both visual and written documentation of the research, and present the material to the class.
Hum 222 The Western Tradition in Art History II
- Complete a research project on the mural stylings of a specific ethnic group. Trace the content and social role of the changing murals through recent history. Contact a contemporary muralist in the area being studied. Finally, gather all research into a report or project.
- Analyze the old courthouse in Evansville in terms of its aesthetic characteristics and principles. Discuss how the monument derives from historical models discussed in class in terms of purpose, style, composition, or decoration. Give examples of the details of the monument to support your discussion. Finally, obtain/make slides to present the results of the research to the class.
- Locate, discuss, and document significant examples of stained glass in ecclesiastical and secular architectural monuments in Evansville. Write an essay explaining the cultural values and stylistic characteristics of the different geographic regions of the Baroque period. Last, select works of art from the Evansville Museum and identify how they relate to concepts covered in class. Consolidate all works and projects into a portfolio.
- Complete a critical comparison of two artists of Western influence. Examine the methods and subject of the artists, explaining the differences and similarities in the works of the two artists. Organize a presentation on the material, using visual aides such as slides.
Hum 242 The Western Tradition in Literature II
- Meet with your group once a month (four times), and attend an event related to humanities. For example, watch and discuss a movie relating to class topics, visit a museum, attend a USI theatre presentation, etc. Write a reaction paper to each outing outlining the activity and the discussion which followed. Also, complete a project over one course component of interest. Research and study one aspect of the component, and develop an instructional unit that would benefit your classmates or a high school classroom. Hand in a portfolio of all works at the end of the semester.

Liberal Arts Capstone

Liba 497 Mass Media & Society
- Complete an 8-10 page paper on The Twilight of the American Culture by Morris Berman. Offer a summary of Berman’s main points and a thoughtful critique of the same points with particular emphasis on the role of mass media in creating the “twilight” and what the mass media could do to prevent the “twilight” from turning into darkness.
- Give an informative presentation on controversial topics in film media and how the MPAA, film industry, and directors are attempting to appease complaints and clarify content ratings.
Liba 497 Psyche in Literature
- Research Lolita and present five different ways that the text can be viewed. The presentation should be at least 30 minutes long. In addition, any assigned papers should be more extensive in length (two extra pages per paper).
Liba 497 Women, Art, and Society
- Examine three standard art history textbooks and analyze how often and to what extent the authors consider issues of gender in the visual arts. Study and compare the total number of women artists versus men artists appearing with works in the books. Also look at the extent the authors address the institutional limitations cultures have placed on the creativity of women or the contributions by women to culture at all. Submit a paper reporting the findings, making sure to concentrate on certain areas of interest and on how women are depicted in the artwork itself.
Liba 497 Literary Perceptions in America
- Locate newspaper articles (especially from the New York Times) reporting significant events in Latin America occurring throughout the current semester. The articles will be compiled and organized as a digital file so that professors may easily find and print information relating to their classes.
Liba 497 Perspectives on Humor
- Create ten to twelve statements that capture some of the material related to humor and laughter (theories of humor, biological basis of humor, frequency of laughter, health benefits of laughter and humor.) Such statements are often found in the popular literature and in presentations intended for general audiences; however, the basis for such statements are not often identified. This project will focus on supplying the data to support or refute such popular statements. Consequently, it involves an examination of the literature in a number of fields, including biology, psychology, education, and health.
- Develop a collection of cartoons on a specific topic (e.g., gender differences, mental health, political humor) or several related topics from a single source (e.g., the New Yorker) or a collection of sources. Categorize the cartoons based on their characteristics, and include a commentary on the trends across time and an analysis of the cartoons for several relevant perspectives (e.g., theoretical basis of humor, target humor vs. non-targeted humor).
Liba 497 Alchemy, Magic
- Complete a minimum 10-page additional research paper that is based upon subject matter within the class. Preliminary interests include quantitative and qualitative research on the effects of prayer and other spiritual practices on the health of ill persons.

Mathematics:

Math 215 Survey of Calculus
- Assist fellow Math 215 students by offering a minimum of 10 hours of help sessions. Provide a brief critique of each session, including both the positive and negative aspects of the sessions and how the sessions can be improved.

Math 492 History of Mathematics
- Coordinate a WebQuest, which engages 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in challenging mathematics and in the understanding of the history of mathematics. After completing a template for the WebQuest, use Microsoft FrontPage to transform the template into html format. This WebQuest will be made available to current middle school teachers. Write a one to two page reflection on this project.

Mechanical Engineering Technology:

Met 321 Engines in Everyday Life
- Prepare a term paper dealing with the pros and cons of an approved relevant issue. Definition of issue for investigation should be accomplished by mid-October. A presentation dealing with this material is to be completed in front of the class. Also, prepare and officially document additions and/or expansions to the text content in at least two areas of interest.

Military Science:

MS 242 U.S. Military History II
- Submit a written proposal that provides a list of materials which would support both MS 241 and MS 242 classes, given a budget of $1500. Analyze and evaluate material in order to ensure relevance to subjects and topics outlined in each course’s syllabi. The materials must sum to under budget and support a broad range of subjects within the course material.

Nursing:

Nurs 231 Foundations of Nursing for Children and Adults
- Observe endoscopy procedures at a local hospital for four hours. Conduct a personal interview with one or more endoscopy nurses to gain insight into their field of nursing. Research the endoscopy procedure and its use and write a five to seven page paper over the findings. Present what has been learned about endoscopy through this observation/interview/research process.

Occupational Therapy:

OT 498 Professional Fieldwork B
- Under Janet Kilbane, complete a number of self-assessments and projects. These projects include the Initial Reflective Self-Evaluation and the Professional Development Plan, ten acceptable Professional Growth Reflective Journal entries, as well as the Reflective Self-Reevaluation and the Professional Developmental Plan Outcome Summary. Achievement of at least 95% is required on the three scales of performance, judgment, and attitude of the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.

Physical Education:

PED 281 Personal Health Science
- Select a research topic (Healthy Aging, Organ Donation, or College Students and Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Research and present a written report about the topic and select a service learning experience related to the topic in which to participate. Conduct group discussion for the class concerning research, service project and conclusions and observations. Student will be assessed on the research paper summary, research paper, service project summary, and class presentation.

Philosophy:

Phil 200 Introduction to Philosophy
- Work in pairs of teaching teams to plan and deliver a course topic . Include an explanation of the terms, issues, and readings and the leading of class discussion through questions or group exercises. Turn in an outline of your presentation along with a 1 to 2 page summary of what you will discuss and your objectives for the class period.
- Read the book Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in A World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah (2006), watch the film Do The Right Thing, and watch an episode of the TV show 30 Days. Discuss the ideas presented in a 5-page paper and develop a presentation on cosmopolitan ethics.
Phil 201 Introduction to Ethics
- This honors component, under Dr. Sullivan’s direction, has three parts. First, write a 5-6 page critical essay contrasting and evaluating Immanuel Kant’s position on the treatment of animals with the position of Peter Singer. Second, draft and send a letter of two or more paragraphs to the local or campus paper addressing an ethical issue. Last, participate in a group debate or presentation on the topic of white privilege (or other approved topic).
- Research and write a 6-8 page paper about an ethical issue not covered in class. Review arguments for and against the issue, and hypothesize the potential outcomes of each suggested solution. Finally, choose a side and make suggestions which will improve your side’s chance for success.
- Work in pairs of teaching teams to plan and deliver a course topic (either racism, abortion, the environment, or cloning). Include an explanation of the terms, issues, and readings and the leading of class discussion through questions or group exercises. Turn in an outline of your presentation along with a 1 to 2 page summary of what you will discuss and your objectives for the class period.

Political Science:

Pols 299 Special Topics in Political Science: The United Nations

Read sections of Model U.N. that explain how to participate in a model United Nations. Discuss your observations with the instructor, or write a paper outlining your observations. Second, prepare a delegate portfolio based on the USI country assignment received from the Model U.N. organization. This portfolio should include information secured from the Permanent Mission of the assigned country.

Psychology:

Psy 201 Introduction to Psychology
- Complete a journal of reactions to everyday events and how they relate to psychology. Second, identify a psychological question or issue of interest, create a hypothesis about the issue, and then research and prepare a literary review on the subject either supporting or refuting your hypothesis.
- Visit a psychological institution or museum, noting principles and concepts you observe. Complete a paper summarizing your experiences and tying in past research findings.
- Plan and conduct your own APPROVED research study. If not possible, participate in another student’s research and write a paper outlining how the experience affected you as well as noting past research findings on the topic.
- Attend community meetings and find a topic for research. Make community contacts to aid you in the research, complete a literary review for background information, help create survey questions, collect and analyze data, and write a final report of the findings. Also, be prepared to give a presentation for the class or for the Honors conference.
- Assist in a psychology lab with an ongoing research project and write a reaction paper indicating what you learned from the experience and how it relates to psychology in general.

Radiologic and Imaging Sciences:

RadT 218 Radiographic Procedures
- Conduct a study on trauma radiographic positioning of the head an neck in emergency situations. Describe the correct positioning of a patient who is restrained or who cannot be moved due to traumatic injury. Describe the correct positioning for a patient who has not sustained a traumatic injury and the explain the modification required for a patient with a traumatic injury. Present the study to the class.
RadT 301 Sectional Anatomy
- Collect computed tomography and magnetic resonance images from observed cases and discarded images at St. Mary's Medical Center as well as from the film library in the Radiologic Technology classroom. Determine the section of the body that was imaged by studying the anatomy visualized. Determine if the study was normal or pathological. If the study contains pathology, determine the type of pathology. Label each film by anatomy visualized and the presence or absence of pathology and organize the films into a film library.
RadT 382 Radiographic Quality Control
- Complete a quality control project for St. Mary's Medical center. Check PACS (picture archiving and communication system) to ensure that the emergency room physicians are utilizing Jot Pad for emergency room patients during hours that a radiologist is not present. Present the data to the radiologists, PACS manager, and the head of the emergency room. Information about future goals and expectations should be included, as well as an explanation of the importance of quality control in that situation.
RadT 425 Radiographic Technique
- After identifying a pathological condition in a patient, obtain the CT and diagnostic radiographs from that patient. Present the CT and diagnostic radiographs in a streamed lecture. Explain the pathology and compare the two modalities in terms of ability to image the pathology.

Social Work:

SocW 412 Integrative Seminar
- Complete a paper describing experiences in field internships and how the experiences impacted personal and professional growth. Explain how the education received in the bachelor of social work program and personal values and experiences were integrated into the field internships. Present an oral summarization of the paper to the class.

Sociology:

Soc 121 Principles of Sociology
- Construct and execute a survey concerning the disciplining of children. Formulate a hypothesis, conduct additional research, and complete a report of the findings.
- Evaluate a magazine advertisement and discuss it in terms of different sociological theories learned in class. Write a paper no less than three pages long discussing the advertisement, what topic it relates to, and why.
Soc 370 Social Construction of Drugs
- Complete a 24-30 page formal essay depicting an area of interest covered in the course’s content. Expand on the text material, and form a conviction about the topic, addressing the views in the paper.

Spanish:

Span 102 Elementary Spanish II
- Read an article in a Spanish magazine, and present your findings in speech format to the class. The speech should cover at least ten minutes.
- Prepare a 20-30 minute group presentation about a Spanish speaking country covering topics such as language, culture, traditions, and holidays.
Span 203 Spanish Review
- Watch a series of Spanish films. These films could be for educational or entertainment purposes, depending on what the instructor approves. Analyze the plot, characters, and main ideas from each film in the light of Spanish culture. Progress throughout the project is to be documented in a journal, written in Spanish.
- Read a number of Spanish books, essays, or news reports. Write, in Spanish, summaries of the material. Incorporate a theme into the choice of material, and prepare a paper explaining how the material fits the theme. Progress throughout the project is to be documented in a journal, written in Spanish.
- Explore Latin American Folk and popular music. Conduct research in local libraries, internet sites, and local music stores. Find information about the origins, characteristics, and outstanding interpreters of the musical traditions of their choice. In addition, select a listing of possible DVD purchases to enrich the USI library. Submit a paper in Spanish on their findings to instructor and present them to the class using visual elements, music samples, and a handout.
- Write a summary of the Golden Age of Spain in the 17th century with emphasis on the life and works of one of its greatest artists, Diego de la Velasquez.
- Conduct an interview in Spanish speakers in the area about the Hispanic presence in the State of Indiana.
Span 204 Readings and Discussion of Contemporary Problems of the Spanish World
- Mentor and tutor a Spanish-speaking child at a local elementary school. Keep a journal, written in Spanish, of daily activities and the student’s progress integrating into an English-speaking community. (This project has also been done for Spanish 203.)
- Complete a study of Spanish and Spanish-American short stories. Read six short stories and do a character analysis for each, also written in Spanish.
Span 456 Don Quixote
- Read the original version of the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha, and discuss the novel with other students and with the instructor. Complete an essay of at least four pages explaining why this novel is considered a classic and how it can be applied to people around the world during any time period. The paper will also relate how the novel describes the human experience and how everyone can relate to the principal characters in the story.

Theatre:

Thtr 321 Scene Design I
- Choose a play, and analyze the script to determine ideas for a theme. Write a concept statement, and do research on the time period, style, and location relative to the piece. Draw a rough sketch of the set, make a ½” scale ground plan, make a color prospective drawing of the set, and make detail drawings. Finally, build a ¼” scale set for the chosen play.

University Division:

Univ 102 Learning Communities Seminar II
- Job shadow in chosen field for 5-6 hours. Describe the project, dates, methods of evaluation, and objectives. Present your information to the class.

USI Honors Program
8600 University Blvd. Evansville, IN 47712
By Phone: 812-464-8600