THE ORIGIN OF IDEAS OF IDEA OF ORIGINS

The Honors College at FIU

Fall 2008 & Spring 2009 - IDH 1001 & 1002 Sections 5, 6, & 7

Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00 – 12:15

Faculty

THC Course Description

Using the lens of ontology, this course is designed to examine questions surrounding the nature of being and existing. The fundamental nature of truth and reality as it is constructed in our lives is questioned as students examine knowledge that has been created and accepted as truth.

Honors class with Martin Z. Margulies at the Margulies Collection at Warehouse. Photo courtesy of Tomas Loewy, www.coolpoolevents.com

Specific 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 affect our perception of both ourselves and the world around us. 
 

Class Objectives

1. To leave the course with more questions than when entering.
2. To question and re-examine “knowledge” and what we perceive as “truth”
3. To realize that there are pluralities of reality.
4. To appreciate that knowledge, debate, pleasure and fun are mutually compatible phenomena.
5. To explore the nature of the individual in relation to others.

Required Readings

Fall 2008

Michalko, Michael. Cracking Creativity: the Secrets of Creative Genius. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2001.
ISBN: 9781580083119

Stevenson, Leslie and David Haberman. Ten Theories of Human Nature. Oxford Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2004.
ISBN: 9780195169744

Swiller, Josh. The Unheard. New York City: Holt Paperbacks, 2007.
ISBN: 9780805082104

Turnbull, Colin. The Forest People. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961.
ISBN: 9780671640996

supplemental reading as directed 

Spring 2009

Buford, Bill. Among the Thugs. New York: Vintage Departures, 1993.
ISBN 9780679745358

Clancy, Susan. Abducted: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped by Aliens. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2007.
ISBN 9780674024014

Plato. The Trial and Death of Socrates. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub, 2000.
ISBN 9780872205543

Shlain, Leonard. Art & Physics. New York: Quill/W. Morrow, 1993.
ISBN 9780688123055

Stevenson, Leslie and David Haberman. Ten Theories of Human Nature. Oxford Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2004.
ISBN: 9780195169744

supplemental reading as directed 
 

Class Assignments

1. Be prepared in each class session by having completed assigned readings.
2. 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.
3. Regularly monitor My Blackboard and your personal FIU email account for assignments, announcements, discussion, etc. 
4. All assignments must be submitted to TURNITIN.COM.  Instructions will be given later.  In addition, you will provide a paper copy to your professor.

Grading Legend  

Fall 2007
4 quizzes of 5 pts each: 20 pts
3 projects of 15 pts each: 45 pts
Class participation: 10 pts
Honors Citizenship: 5 pts
GAD Proposal & Elevator Pitch: 5 pts
Final project: 15 pts (10 pts for individual paper & 5 pts for group presentation)

Note: Extra Credit opportunities will be offered during the course of the semester. A maximum of 6 points can be earned.

Spring 2008
5 quizzes of 4 pts each: 20 pts
3 projects of 15 pts each: 45 pts
Class participation: 10 pts
Honors Citizenship: 5 pts
GAD Status Report & Action Plan: 5 pts
Final project: 15 pts (10 pts for individual paper & 5 pts for group presentation)

Note: Extra Credit opportunities will be offered during the course of the semester. A maximum of 6 points can be earned.

Letter grades correspond to the following point scale:

Participation policy

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

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

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

FALL 2008
 

Week 1 - Introduction

T 26 Aug: Thematic Overview and Trajectory of Semester & Introduction: Ideas of Professors

Th 28 Aug: Ideas of Students

Week 2- Comparing World Views

T 2 Sep: Ten Theories, Introduction & Chapter 3
QUIZ: Ten Theories, Introduction & Chapter 3

Th 4 Sep: Discussion

Week 3 - Nature of Reality

T 9 Sep: Dean Northup Lecture

Th 11 Sep: Discussion 

Week 4 - Outside Ourselves

T 16 Sep: The Forest People (Bailly Lecture)
QUIZ: The Forest People
INTRODUCTION: The Forest People Project

Th 18 Sep: Discussion

Week 5 - Outside Ourselves

T 23 Sep: Baka Film
(Bailly at Texas State)

Th 25 Sep: Discussion
(Bailly at Texas State & Ritzi out: all sections meet with Schwartz)

Week 6 - Reaching Outside Ourselves

T 30 Sep: Introduction of Give a Damn Semester Project (Rick Siclari Guest Lecturer)

Th 2 Oct: Form groups and start Give a Damn Semester Project (2007-2008 Student Presentations: meet in large group)
INTRODUCTION: Give a Damn Project
DUE: The Forest People Project

Week 7 - Inside Ourselves

T 7 Oct: Unheard (Schwartz Lecture)
QUIZ: Unheard
INTRODUCTION: Unheard Project

Th 9 Oct: Discussion

Week 8 - Inside Ourselves

T 14 Oct: Unheard (Schwartz Lecture)

Th 16 Oct:  Discussion                                                                                                                                                       

Week 9 - Reaching Others as Ourselves

T 21 Oct: Elevator Pitch Presentation for Give a Damn Project
DUE: Proposals for Give a Damn Project

Th 23 Oct: Give a Damn Problems, Pitfalls, & Perils Lecture (Ritzi Lecture: meet in large group)
(Bailly at NCHC)

Week 10 - Visual Thinking and Expression

T 28 Oct: Cracking Creativity (Ritzi Lecture)
QUIZ: Cracking Creativity
INTRODUCTION: Cracking Creativity Project

Th 30 Oct: Discussion
DUE: Unheard Project

Week 11 - Visual Thinking and Expression

T 4 Nov: Cracking Creativity (Ritzi Lecture)

Th 6 Nov: Discussion
(Ritzi out: Ritzi section meet with Bailly)

Week 12 - Expressing Ourselves: Student Visions

T 11 Nov:  Veterans' Day Holiday (No class)

Th 13 Nov: Visual Thinking Project & Presentations (Ritzi lecture)
DUE: Cracking Creativity Project
(Schwartz at Conference: all sections meet together)

Week 13 - Analyzing and Presenting Information

T 18 Nov: Statistics (Schwartz Lecture)

Th 20 Nov: Discussion

Week 14 - Give a Damn Presentation - Research

T 25 Nov: Student Presentations (Attendance Mandatory)

Th 27 Nov: No Class: Thanksgiving

Week 15 - Give a Damn Presentation - Research

T 2 Dec: Student Presentations (Attendance Mandatory)

Th 4 Dec: Student Presentations (Attendance Mandatory)
DUE: Semester Project Papers

Final Exam Week

T 9 Dec: Student Presentations & Summary
 

SPRING 2009

Week 1 - Individual in Society

T 6 Jan: Thematic Overview and Trajectory of Semester & Ten Theories, Plato (Schwartz Lecture)

Th 8 Jan: Discussion 

Week 2 - Individual in Society

T 13 Jan: Trial & Death of Socrates, Plato (Group Lecture)
QUIZ: Plato

Th 15 Jan: Discussion

Week 3 - Zeitgeist: Creating within Society

T 20 Jan:  Art and Physics (Ritzi Lecture - Bailly at University of Maine)

Th 22 Jan: Give a Damn Project Status Report & Action Plan (Bailly at University of Maine)

Week 4 - Zeitgeist: Creating within Society

T 27 Jan: Art and Physics (Ritzi Lecture)
QUIZ: Art and Physics

Th 29 Jan: Discussion

Thugs Project due on 2/24 & 2/26:  Among the Thugs Project.  Must be done in slide show or movie format.

Week 5 - A Powerful Statement

T 3 Feb: Art & Physics Project Exhibition

Th 5 Feb: Give a Damn Workday

Week 6 - Human Nature: "We've all got it in us."

T 10 Feb: Among the Thugs (Bailly Lecture)
QUIZ: Among the Thugs

Th 12 Feb: Discussion                                                                                                                                                 

Week 7 - Human Nature: "We've all got it in us."

T 17 Feb:  Among the Thugs (Bailly Lecture)

Th 19 Feb: Discussion

Week 8 - Human Nature: "We've all got it in us."

T 24 Feb: INTRODUCTION: Among the Thugs Project.  Must be done in slide show or movie format.

Th 26 Feb: Discusion                                                                                 

Week 9 - The Fun House Mirror: Reflections of Self

T 3 Mar: Abducted (Schwartz Lecture)
QUIZ: Abducted & Memento

Th 5 Mar: Discussion

Week 10 - The Fun House Mirror: Reflections of Self

T 10 Mar: Abducted (Schwartz Lecture)

Th 12 Mar: Work on Give a Damn or Films (meet in large group in HLS 180)

Week 11 - Dream and Have Fun

T 17 Mar: No Class: Spring Break

Th 19 Mar: No Class: Spring Break

Week 12 - Film Festival

T 24 Mar: Watch student films (Films due in Bailly's THC mailbox on Monday, March 23th by 12 noon)

Th 26 Mar: Watch student films (meet in large group in HLS 180)

Week 13 - Humans in Nature

T 31 Mar: Ten Theories, Chapter 10 (Pete Markowitz)
QUIZ: Ten Theories & supplemental readings
DUE: Abducted Project

Th 2 Apr: Discussion

F 4 Apr: SRAI Conference (attendance mandatory)

Week 14 - Give a Damn Presentation - Passion

T 7 Apr: Student presentations (attendance mandatory)

Th 9 Apr: Student presentations (attendance mandatory)

Week 15 - Give a Damn Presentation - Passion

T 14 Apr: Student presentations (attendance mandatory)

Th 16 Apr: Student presentations (attendance mandatory)/Celebration

Final Exam Week

T 21 Apr: Student Presentations & Summary

FIU Academic Misconduct Statement

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Misconduct includes: Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

Academic Integrity

Please read all information on the following link. Registration in this course requires an acceptance of The Honors College Policies for students

http://honors.fiu.edu/current_policy_standing.html.

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.

The Honors College at FIU Plagiarism Policy

Honor in Honors

In The Honors College, the term “honor” refers both to academic accomplishment and character. Students in Honors should therefore adhere to and be held to the highest standards of personal academic accountability. Academic dishonesty in any form, including plagiarism, is antithetical to the very definition of being an Honors student at FIU. Consequently, an Honors College student found responsible for academic misconduct will be dismissed from the College.