Fall 2024 Advanced Honors Seminars

HON 205: Interdisciplinary Investigations

Section 1: Insects as Food and Feed 

1st half of the semester; Thursdays, 12 - 1:50 pm; Schroeder 396

Dr. Gina Hunter; Sociology and Anthropology, Office of Student Research

Insects have been an important part of the human diet from time immemorial. Although they are not frequently consumed in Europe and among Euro-Americans, an estimated 2 billion people worldwide regularly consume insects. Where insects are a traditional part of the diet they are valued for their sustenance, taste, and medicinal properties. Research on edible insects includes historical and archeological investigations, ethnographic descriptions of insect foods in indigenous cultures, and scientific studies of insect food farming, commercialization, and acceptability. Like other animals, insects are a source of protein and fat macronutrients and many vitamin and mineral micronutrients.

Given the growing demand for sustainable protein sources, insects may be an increasingly important global food source. Farming insects is considered environmentally sustainable because insects offer high feed conversion efficiency, require less space, use less water, and need fewer chemical inputs than conventional livestock. But do consumers what to eat insects? Do you?

In this seminar we will read about the role of insects in the diet and cuisine of people around the world, examine debates about insect farming, consider disgust and entomophobia and where they come from…. And we will eat a bug or two. Come hungry!

HON 206: Innovation and Inquiry

Section 1: Using "Race" in Medicine and Life Science Research 

2nd half of the semester; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 - 1:50 pm; Julian 226 Fell 176

Dr. Kevin Edwards, Biological Sciences

In the Genome Era, race has been discredited as a biological concept in humans, yet it persists as an identifier in biomedical research. We will explore the biological race concept, and look at evolving methods and rationales for incorporating race, ethnicity, and ancestry into medicine.

Specific examples will be considered, including genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia that are tied to ancestry; race-based drug prescription practices; investigation of healthcare disparities; and building research databases that represent human diversity. We will evaluate recent calls to rethink how various markers of "identity" are employed in the genomic era. This area serves as a stark example of cultural influences on what is intended to be objective scientific inquiry. Students will read and analyze peer-reviewed research and policy articles in genetics, genomics, and medicine, so some previous exposure to biology will be helpful.

HON 207: Leadership in Action

Section 1: Connection for Sustainable Change

1st half of the semester; Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 - 9:50 am; Felmley Science Annex 231

Dr. Alicia Wodika, Health Sciences 

Do you love reading and connecting with a group to discuss challenging, wicked problems? Are you interested in being part of local actions addressing health and wellbeing, hunger, built environments, responsible consumption of materials towards a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful society? This course is designed to explore how local efforts are linked to global successes by exploring selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with children’s picture books from the SDG Book Club.

We’ll  work collectively with multiple age groups to better understand these problems and apply leadership skills to address them. We’ll work with guest speakers to hear more about city planning, impacts of gardens and community efforts, importance of practicing mindfulness, and create a culminating project for International Day of Peace.

HON 208: Culture, Context, and Identity

Section 1: War and Peace: Music Edition 

1st half of the semester; Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 - 11:50 am; Julian 226

Dr. Allison Alcorn, Music

In his epic novel War and Peace, Tolstoy's fictional narrative winds around considerations of philosophy and history related to war and to peace. In our "War and Peace: Music Edition," we will explore how music has been used around the world and throughout history to wage war, to process the emotions of war and terror, to protest against war, to cry for peace, and to celebrate a peace won.

Students will learn to explain the ways music has been used in and around times of conflict and peace, how to articulate the contexts of conflict that gave rise to war/peace music, as well as analyze the role of emotion in music, particularly as related to action and catharsis.

Section 2: Redefining Disability Through Paralympic and Adapted Sport

1st half of the semester; Tuesdays, 2 - 3:50 pm; State Farm Hall of Business 145

Sherri Hildebrand, School of Kinesiology and Recreation

The United States has provided meaningful opportunities in sports participation for people with intellectual disabilities since the creation of the Special Olympics in 1968. Unfortunately, opportunities for participation in sports for people with physical disabilities have not fared as well. The Paralympic movement, responsible for creating awareness of adapted sport for people with physical disabilities, did not begin in earnest until the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 33rd Summer Olympics will be held this summer in Paris, and two weeks following its conclusion, the 17th Summer Paralympic games begin. Most people know more about Special Olympics than the Paralympics. Given the difference in the number of years each Olympiad has been held, it can be seen that the Paralympics are a relatively new international competition for elite athletes with disabilities. This is one demonstration of society’s historical views of this population. In this Honors Seminar, you will explore and challenge the historical perceptions of disability, experience how people with disabilities engage in sport, and plan ISU’s annual adapted sport event, Adaptapalooza.