Pollination Makes the Rockin’  World Go Round

Pollination is more than just observing a bee in a flower. Pollination is critical to our food supply and preservation of plant/animal species. In addition, practices aimed to improve crop yields (pesticides or herbicides) can negatively impact insect populations outside of the designed target. Loss of habitat due to deforestation or urban sprawl reduces available food sources for our pollinators. We will discuss methods of pollination, identify types of pollinators, learn about symbiotic pollination relationships, discuss various industries that have potential to negatively impact pollinators and ponder what are they currently doing or what can they do to minimize the impact? Lastly, you will reflect inward and ponder: Are you a pollinator?

Fairy Tales as Reality

Fairy tales have long been used to teach important lessons and skills to children. In current society, many of those old stories have lost their original meaning. This seminar will examine old fairy tales, learn how they are being adapted to modern society, and allow students to create their own modern version of fairy tales.

Disciplinary Literacy for College & Career Readiness

This course examines the principles and practices of disciplinary literacy that support learners’ ability to read, write, think, and communicate effectively within and across academic disciplines. Emphasis is placed on analyzing disciplinary texts and designing learning experiences that integrate research-based literacy strategies to promote college and career readiness. Students will apply these practices to develop instructional or learning-support plans that address comprehension, vocabulary development, writing, inquiry, and assessment in secondary, postsecondary, or professional contexts. The course is relevant for students pursuing careers in education, engineering, the sciences, health professions, business, social sciences, and other fields that require advanced literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills.

Perspectives on Women Who Kill

This course explores the rare phenomenon of women committing murder, often against those closest to them—husbands, lovers, or children. We’ll examine the psychological factors and societal dynamics behind these acts, compare how women and men commit murder, and investigate their sentencing and punishment.

HNRS 4364-02

The Fate of Art in WWII

This course explores the fate of art during World War II, beginning with Adolf Hitler’s background as a failed artist and his obsessive vision to establish a world-class art museum in Linz through plundering Europe’s art treasures. As Hitler and Nazis invaded and conquered Europe, they also systematically looted Europe’s greatest artworks. Students will learn about the extraordinary efforts of museums and societal institutions to protect history from the destruction of war and Nazi plundering, as well as the heroic work of the Monuments Men who risked their lives to recover and restitute looted art in Europe and Asia. Finally, the course will address the postwar restitution process, an ongoing endeavor to return Nazi-looted art to their rightful owners and address losses that continue to resonate to this day.

HNRS 4364-47F

Medicinal Botany and Pharmacology

Explore the history of medicinal use of plants and how this has transitioned to widespread use in the pharmacology industry.