Fall 2024 Honors Explorations

Central Illinois: Flyover country? I think not! It is prairie country.

Jessica Chambers, Director, Horticulture Center - Department of Agriculture 

Thursdays, 3:30 – 5-:30 pm; September 26 - October 24

Location:

• September 26: Honors Program Building Classroom 114
• October 3: Field trip
• October 10: Field trip
• October 17: Field trip
• October 24: Honors Program Building Classroom 114

Central Illinois, Flyover country? I think not! Join Jessica Chambers, Director of the ISU Horticulture Center, as we learn why Illinois is called the Prairie State. Visit 3 prairies - two re-established prairies and one remanent (original) prairie - as we learn about prairie habitats.  We will also visit the ISU Herbarium and then learn about some native plants by creating your own herbarium collection.

God Save the British Monarchy? Kings and Queens in the Modern World

Dr. Taylor Soja, Assistant Professor, Department of History

Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm; September 3 - October 1
Location: Schroeder 116

This Honors Exploration will explore the past, present, and possible futures of one of the strangest institutions in the modern world: the British monarchy. What did the roles of kings and queens in Britain used to be, and what are they now? What is the relationship between the monarchy and the British nation, or the British empire, or the British Commonwealth? Why is the monarchy even still around? Does the death of Elizabeth II signal the end of this institution? Why do we care about them so much?

We will:

-think critically about history and politics
-consider what, if anything, queens have done for feminism and what princesses have done for LGBTQ rights
-unpack the tension between nostalgia and history
-use the monarchy to understand the “end” of the British empire
-read fun gossip about famous royal couples like Diana and Charles, Will and Kate, Harry and Meghan
-consider representations of the monarchy in the media (The Crown, the infamous Oprah interview, and more)

History in Video Games

Dr. Nathan Kapoor, Assistant Professor, Department of History

Wednesdays, 4 - 6 pm; September 4 - October 2
Location: Schroeder 207

Age of Empires II introduced me to history and continues to challenge and inform how I think about historical narratives. Whether or not people like to admit it, video games are one of the most widely accessed and experienced forms of media in the world. Historical narratives ground many of the most popular franchises out there, such as Fallout, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption. We should be aware of how telling history through games shapes our perspectives, politics, and culture.

In this Honors Exploration, students will interrogate how we have used video games to retell, reimagine, and change how we understand historical moments. For example, we will explore how Fallout III incorporates the Cold War (1945-1991) into the world set in 2277 CE; we will visit American constructions of racial politics in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas; we will analyze how Red Dead Redemption II uses and challenges American settler-colonialism in the early 20th century; and cover many other games.

In Pursuit of a Better World: The Promise and Challenge of American Philanthropy

Jennifer Sedbrook, Director of Development- Mennonite College of Nursing, University Advancement  

Mondays, 5 - 7 pm; September 16 - October 14
Location: State Farm Hall of Business 145

Explore what the birth control pill, an LP record and life insurance all have in common (hint- they were all made possible through philanthropy!) and learn about the critical role of philanthropy on our campus, community, and the larger society. Through engaging readings from a variety of provocative thought leaders in philanthropy to local guest speakers to lively class discussions, students will have an opportunity to broaden their understanding of philanthropy both locally and nationally and how it is working (or not working) in making our world a better place.      

The Eras of Taylor Swift

Heidi Bowman, Instructional Assistant Professor, Department of English

Calling all Swifties! In this Honors Exploration we will look at and analyze the different eras of Taylor Swift's extensive music career. We will explore different literary references and allusions within her lyrics and discuss the impact of social media and cancel culture. We will gain an understanding of her challenges as a woman in the music industry and study how Swift has used her words and music over the years to create change. This Exploration is the brainchild of undergraduate student Gracyn Cordes, who designed a Taylor Swift course for her final project in her Honors English 101 class.