Syllabus IDH1001

Fall 2006

IDH 1001(sections 5-8)

The Origin of Ideas and the Idea of Origins
Monday 11:00 – 12:15

Wednesday 11:00 – 12:15

Faculty

Name	Email	Office	Office Hours	Phone	Sec	Wednesday Section
Prof. David Chatfield	David.chatfield@fiu.edu	CP 336		305 348 - 3977	6
Prof. John Bailly	baillyj@fiu.edu	GL422	MW 9:45 - 10:45	305 348 0297	5
Prof. William Ritzi	ritziw@fiu.edu	ZEB 356		305 348 - 2022	7
Prof. Bennett Schwartz	Bennett.Schwartz@fiu.edu	DM 281A	Tuesday, 10 – 12 a.m..	305 - 348 - 4025	16	C

Course Description
This course is the first of a series of four, two-semester Honors College courses. These courses are very different from most other courses in the University, in that we will explore not only the what, but also the how and why of knowing. The present course is less about content, and more about discussions of the context of, and connections between, ideas. The very broad (and not particularly comprehensive) theme of the course is origins, and how ideas of origins affect our perception of both ourselves and the world around us.

Class Objectives

- To, exit with many, many more questions than entering.

- To question and re-examine “knowledge” and what we perceive as “reality”; to realize that there are pluralities of knowledge and reality.

- To appreciate that knowledge, debate, pleasure and fun are mutually compatible phenomena.

Required Readings

1. Voodoo Science by Robert Park

2. The Beak and the Finch by Jonathan Weiner

3. Forest People by Colin Turnbull

4. Cracking Creativity: The secrets of Creative Genius by Michael Michalko

5. Creation Myths by Barbara C. Sproul

6. the Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan (due on first day of Spring semester)

Class Assignments

- Be prepared in each class session with having completed assigned readings.

- Written assignments are expected to have correct grammar and punctuation, unless the assignment calls for something else. You may contact the FIU Writing Lab for assistance or guidance on what this means.

Regularly monitor WebCT for assignments, announcements, discussion, etc.

- All assignments must be submitted to TURNITIN.COM. Instructions will be given later. In addition, you will provide a paper copy to your professor.

Grade calculation

Your grade will be determined based on points earned as follows:

Class participation 20 points

Honors College participation 5 points

Quizzes (4 quizzes each worth 4 points) 16 points

Assignments (5 asn. Each worth 7 points) 35

Final paper/project 25

Total:100 pts (actually 101)

Letter grades correspond to the following point scale:

A	94-100
A-	90-93
B+	87-89
B	84-86
B-	80-83
C+	77-79
C	73-76
C-	70-73
D+	67-69
D	64-66
D-	60-63
F	< 60

Participation policy

As this class involves discussion, attendance and class participation is essential. Unexcused absences will result in a lowering of your grade as follows:

# of Unexcused

Absences

ESTIMATED GRADE

A-

B+

B-

C+

C-

D+

D-

0-2

A-

B+

B-

C+

C-

D+

D-

A-

B+

B-

C+

C-

D+

D-

B+

B-

C+

C-

D+

D-

B-

C+

C-

D+

D-

6 or More

Participation also means no distractions. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IS PROHIBITED. All cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and laptops should be turned off.

Other Class Policies

Academic Integrity

In this learning community, we are expected to act as moral beings governed by a sense of ethics. These ethics are outlined in the University Code of Academic Integrity.(www.fiu.edu/~dwyere/academicintegrity.html) and the Honors College policy on plagiarism (http://honors.fiu.edu/current_policy_plagiarism.html). In simple language, in this course you will not cheat, misrepresent others' work as your own (plagiarism), or lie to the instructor or others in this learning community. One act crossing that boundary and you will be recommended for expulsion from the Honors College.

Physical, mental and sensory challenges

Every effort, where feasible and practical will be made to accommodate students who are so challenged. Should you require accommodations contact your instructor or the Disability Resource Center if not done so already.

Religious observances

Every effort, where feasible and practical, will be made to accommodate students whose religious practices clash with class requirements or scheduling; i.e you practice a religion whose holidays do not coincide with the University closing or an exam is scheduled during a day of high spirituality. Contact your instructor if such a situation arises.

Class Schedule
Please note that the class schedule is subject to change. In addition, all four sections faculty leaders are likely to be away for small portions of the Fall Term as their other assignments so dictate. All such changes, will be announced in class.

Week Description/notes Reading/Project

1	28 Aug	Monday: Origins of Instructors Wednesday: Origins of Students
2	04 Sep	Monday: University closed Wednesday: Origins of the University; academic integrity
3	11 Sep	M: Visual Thinking W: Discussion
4	18 Sep	M: Voodoo Science (VS quiz) W: Discussion	Reading: Voodoo Science Assignment 1: due 9/25
5	25 Sep	M: Molecular Evolution (BF quiz) W: Discussion	Reading: Beak of Finch
6	02 Oct	M: Human Evolution W: Discussion
7	9 Oct	M: Honors College Convocation W: Inherit the Wind (film)	Assignment 2: due 10/11
8	16 Oct	M: Inherit the Wind, part 2 W: Discussion
9	23 Oct	M: Forest People (FP quiz) W: Discussion	Reading: Forest People
10	30 Oct	M: Group project planning W: Group project preparation