USC Aiken
Honors Program Handbook
2015-2016
USC Aiken Honors Program
Dr. Chad L. Leverette, Director
Office: SBDG 312
Phone: 803 641 3291
chadl@usca.edu
Mission Statement
Established in 1991 and expanded in 2005, USC Aiken’s Honors Program
offers academically talented, highly motivated students opportunities for
enriched learning experiences both in and outside the classroom. Honors
students participate in a unique learning community that enjoys small classes
and independent study under the direction of USC Aiken’s best teacherscholars, in a program that cultivates critical thinking, analysis and creative
expression. The Honors Program offers students experiences that are
interdisciplinary in nature and involve active, engaged learning culminating
in a capstone experience.
Honors Steering Committee
Dr. Michael Fowler, Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Andrew Geyer, Department of English
Dr. Thayer McGahee, School of Nursing
Dr. Michelle Petrie, Department of Sociology
Dr. Sanela Porca, School of Business Administration
Dr. Tom Reid, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Dr. Windy Schweder, School of Education
Dr. Michelle Vieyra, Department of Biology and Geology
Dr. Chad L. Leverette, Director
Honors Ambassadors
David Gilbert
Amy He
Megann Howard
Hazel Kelley
Ajay Krishnakumar
Samantha Lisek
Orlando Moldovan
William Bradford Prothman-Roberts
Kayce Vanpelt
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Honors Program Requirements
To graduate from the USC Aiken Honors program, a student must earn 24-29 hours of
Honors Program credits in the following categories:
•
HONS 101 Interdisciplinary Inquiry (3 credit hours): Humanities
The theme of the introductory Honors course, taught by some of our best professors at USCA, varies
by year. This course is by special permission only. Honors students will be able to sign up for this
class with SSC once permission is given. This course counts as 3 of the 9 credit hours required for
the Humanities General Education requirement.
•
HONS 201 Honors Colloquia (1 credit hour each)
Three one-hour Honors short courses are required
These short courses are restricted to Honors student participation, and colloquia topics vary each
semester. Typically, six colloquia are offered each academic year. Honors students will be able to
sign up for these colloquia through SSC once special permission has been given.
•
Five Honors-Designated “Enriched” Courses
• Two honors-designated general education/elective courses are required (6-8 credit hours)
Honors students must select two General Education courses that will be Honors enhanced. Students
must discuss their enhanced course preferences with the Honors Director BEFORE speaking with
professors of these courses. The Honors Program will enroll students in an Honors section of these
courses after arranging the enhancement with the professor of record.
• Two honors-designated courses are required in the student’s major field (6-8 credit hours)
Honors students must select two courses in their major field to be Honors enhanced. Once again,
students must communicate their preferences to the Honors Program Director, who will arrange the
enhancement with the professor of record and enroll the student in an Honors section of that course.
• One honors-designated course (3-4 credit hours) will be the student’s choice. Each Honors student
can choose to do his or her fifth enrichment in his or her major or in a general education/elective
course.
•
Capstone Experience/Project (3 credit hours)
• The Capstone Project will be completed in the student’s senior year under the supervision of a
faculty member selected by the student. The capstone project requires research, data analysis, and
communication of the results of the research or, in the case of the arts, an appropriate creative
project.
• Students will submit a “Capstone Intent Form” notifying the Honors Director of their intent to
complete the Capstone project the following academic year. Typically, this form will be completed
and submitted in the second semester of the junior year. In the semester prior to the completion of
the Capstone, Honors students must submit a “Capstone Proposal Form” that will be reviewed by
the Honors Steering Committee (HSC). This form will provide a complete description of the
proposed project for approval by the HSC by mid-semester of the semester before the student will
conduct the project.
• If an Honors student’s major already requires a capstone project, that experience may be enhanced
and accepted as the Honors capstone project as well.
• Honors students will be expected to present the results of their projects to their peers and to the
Honors Steering Committee members at the annual Research Day in April of each year. December
graduates will present their work at a special presentation ceremony that will be held prior to the
end of the fall semester.
All courses applied to honors credit must be passed with a grade of “B” or better,
otherwise no Honors credit will be given. Further, should a student earn a “C” or
lower on the enrichment project in an Honors enriched course, the student will not
receive Honors credit for that course.
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Honors Students Receive….
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Unique learning experiences exclusive to Honors students
One-on-one classroom experiences with USC Aiken faculty
Close fellowship and study opportunities with USC Aiken’s best students
Undergraduate research opportunities
Potential to receive an Honors scholarship
Access to a private Honors lounge (with computers, coffee, and free printing!)
Priority Registration (You will sign up for classes first!)
Honors Housing
Special ceremony each year recognizing Honors graduates
Honors graduate designation on transcript
Competitive edge when seeking employment or acceptance into
graduate/professional schools
To Remain in Good Standing….
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Students accepted into the Honors Program must enroll in HONS 101 during the
first year that they are part of the program.
Honors students MUST take at least 3 credit hours of Honors coursework per year
to remain in the program.
Honors students must maintain a USC Aiken cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
during the first two semesters in the program, a 3.1 or higher the third and fourth
semesters, a 3.2 or higher the fifth and sixth semesters, and a 3.3 or higher the
seventh and eighth semesters.
Students who do not meet the grade requirements will be placed on Honors
Program probationary status for one semester, and will be dismissed from the
program if standards have not been met by the end of the following semester.
Students may take Honors courses or Honors enhanced courses during the
semester they are on probation.
The Honors Program has carefully selected students that represent the best and
brightest of USC Aiken. We expect that our students not only excel in the
classroom, but also represent model student behavior by showing personal
responsibility in all of their actions throughout their time in the Honors Program.
If an Honors student is found to be in violation of the USC Aiken Academic or
Non-Academic Code of Conduct, the Honors Steering Committee will consider
sanctions/disciplinary actions and/or dismissal from the Honors Program. Any
decisions made by the HSC are separate from any sanctions/disciplinary actions
administered by the university. It is a privilege to be in the Honors Program;
therefore, the Honors Steering Committee has the right, with approval from the
Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, to decide on disciplinary
sanctions/penalties when instances occur that jeopardize the standards of the
Honors Program and/or its resources.
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Important Dates to Remember (AY 2015-2016)
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August 19: Honors Orientation Meeting (B&E 140, 2-4)
August 20: CLASSES BEGIN
August 28: Washington Semester Program Information Meeting (B&E 140, 1:30)
September 7: Labor Day, NO CLASSES
September 9: Last day to submit Writing Proficiency Portfolio
September 11: Last day to request an Honors enrichment
October 1: Honors Dinner with the Chancellor (for new Honors students), 6:00-7:30
pm, Convocation Center, VIP Room
October 8: Midpoint in Semester: deadline for Honors Capstone proposals for
spring semester
October 22-23: Fall Break, NO CLASSES
October 31 – Last day to drop/withdraw without a “WF” being recorded.
November 2: Advisement begins for spring registration
November 9: Priority registration for spring 2015
November 13: Last day to apply for spring 2016 graduation
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Holidays, NO CLASSES
December 4: CLASSES END
December 4: Honors Fall Capstone Presentations (B&E 140, 3:00-5:00 pm)
December 7-11: Final Exams
December 10: Commencement (6:00 pm, Convocation Center)
January 11: CLASSES BEGIN
January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NO CLASSES
January 27: - Last day to submit Proficiency Portfolio in Writing
January 29: Last day to request an Honors enrichment
March 2: Midpoint of Semester
March 7-11: Spring Break, NO CLASSES
March 28: Advisement begins for fall registration
March 31: Last day to apply for fall 2016 graduation
April 4: Priority registration for fall 2016
April 8: Research Day (Spring graduates will present Capstone Presentations)
TBA: Annual Academic Convocation (recognizing spring Honors graduates)
April 25: CLASSES END (Capstone Intent Forms due to Dr. Leverette)
April 26: Honors Spring Reception with the Chancellor (SAC Mezz, 5:00-6:30 pm)
TBA: Final Exams
May 4: Commencement (6:00 pm, Convocation Center)
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AY 2015-2016 Honors Courses
Fall 2015
HONS 101
“Food, Pesticides, and Technology in Society”, (Dr. Andy Dyer)
The goal of this class is to generate discussion about the intersections between the most
basic of needs, food, and the ways our society has evolved in the past 100 years with
regard to food. In particular, the students will be encouraged to consider the advantages
and disadvantages to society of the rapid recent developments in technology and
biotechnology with respect toward the activity that forms the backbone of our economy food production. These discussions will range from biology to ethics and from the
political to the cultural.
The course objectives are
*Students will gain a better understanding of the complexities surrounding food
production.
*Students will be able to link different academic disciplines to the biology of food
production.
*Students will be better able to work in interdisciplinary groups to address
complex questions.
The course will begin with reading "Chasing the Red Queen" which challenges the
usefulness of pesticides and biotechnology in controlling crop pests at the expense of the
environment. The four sections of the book will be covered in the first four weeks.
Additional readings and videos will be included.
HONS 201L
“Disease, History, and Politics”, (Dr. Michelle Vierya)
This course will be organized around particular diseases that have played a significant
role in shaping human or American history or that demonstrate how current political
viewpoints can shape the progression of epidemics/ pandemics. Course meetings will
feature a particular disease(s) and will include an overview of the political and social
period of the time, progression and investigation of the disease, historical figures
important in the identification or eradication of the disease, how the disease changed the
particular population it occurred in and how these changes had a wider effect on history.
Each disease will be investigated through a combination of lectures and/ or
documentaries or docudramas.
HONS 201M
“Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Complex Crises: Central African Republic”,
(Prof. Natalia Bowdoin)
This course will use the example of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) to help
understand the way different disciplines approach and analyze complex crises. The
C.A.R., a former French colony in the heart of Africa, has experience over five decades
of underdevelopment and political instability since its independence in 1960. Since
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December 2012, the country has witnessed extreme sectarian violence, human rights
abuses and massive population displacement. During the first half of the course, students
will read, analyze and discuss scholarly research on the crisis from the following
disciplines: political science, history, anthropology, sociology, development studies,
military science, and environmental sciences. They will also look at media portrayals of
the current conflict in the C.A.R.
HONS 201N
“Machiavelli’s “The Prince:” Reality and Responsibility in Political Leadership”, (Prof.
Erin McCullough)
Should leaders use religion as a tool in politics? Should political leaders strive to be feared or
loved? In political theory, these questions constantly inspire debate and dialogue. Political
theory is the study of the foundational philosophies in politics. It is studied by political scientists,
philosophers, historians and theologians. Political theory defines and then redefines politics,
what it means to be political and what it means to live a political life. Political theory begins with
Plato, who seeks truth through philosophy and searches for the ideal political life, and continues
through to contemporary political theorists who continue to refine political questions and
political expectations. This honors colloquium follows in the tradition of political theory by
closely examining a text and questioning our shared or diverse values and beliefs. Prior to
Machiavelli, political philosophers focused on questions such as “who can be the ideal leader? Is
the ideal leader a philosopher? Should the ideal leader be someone with a special relationship
to the divine? Is the ideal leader someone who maximizes the potential organization of a state
through their own actions?” During the Renaissance, Machiavelli injected change into the
history of political ideas by questioning the actions and motivations of political leaders. In his
groundbreaking text “The Prince,” Machiavelli demolishes the idealism of previous political
philosophers and creates new foundations in reality. Machiavelli seeks the truth of political life
and political leadership, particularly the concept of responsibility. This course will closely read
Machiavelli’s text to examine his notions of political leadership and responsibility. We will ask
questions such as “does Machiavelli abandon notions of morality? What is the quality of life in a
modern political system? Who, ultimately, is responsible for political concerns: the people or
the prince?”
Spring 2016
HONS 201O
“Martin Luther King Day, Ramadan, and Christmas: An Interdisciplinary
Exploration of America’s Holidays” (Dr. Elizabeth Georgian and Dr. Meaghan
Dwyer-Ryan)
In this class, we will explore the various holidays, rituals, and traditions that have become
a part of the American cultural calendar over the last few centuries. While we will look at
the origins and development of such Judeo-Christian holidays as Christmas, Easter,
Chanukah, and Passover, we will also examine the increasing public presence of other
religious and cultural festivals, including the Iroquois Mid-winter Ceremony, Kwanza,
Diwali, Ramadan, and the Chinese New Year. Nationalistic days of remembrance and
festivals developed alongside religious ones and so we will analyze these at the ethnic,
regional, and national level, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, and Columbus
Day, Thanksgiving.
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HONS 201P
“Transnationalism in Modern American Literature” (Dr. Matt Miller)
As part of an emerging book project I am pursuing, I want to teach a special course
devoted to my research, using a mix of cultural theory and literary study. Specifically,
this course would be designed around one pair of the writers I identify as transnational
American writers: a foundational figure in Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian immigrant
writer; and a contemporary figure in Aleksandar Hemon, a Bosnian immigrant writer.
Due to situations in their countries (i.e., the rise of Stalinism and the Bosnian War,
respectively), both writers develop a relationship to America that is unique in American
literature.
HONS 201Q
“Appalachian Culture Studies” (Prof. Vicki Collins)
This course will examine the unique elements of Appalachia, a sub culture in America.
Requirements include reading, discussing, researching, and writing about the history,
literature, music, folklore, dialect, food, education, family life, religion, geography, and
industry of the Appalachian people.
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USCA Honors Students 2015-2016
Adams, Laurel
Andrews, Elizabeth
Ayers, Rachel
Baksh, Aleisa
Bartlett, Heather
Bedenbaugh, Yasmin
Bennae, Vivian
Berry, Brittany
Berry, Daniel
Blanco, Samantha
Bookstaver, Morgan
Brandt, Amaura
Calhoun, Lindsey
Calliham, Ashlyn
Cave, Catherine
Chandler, Tiana
Choony, Chitravati
Corder, David
Corder, Derek
Craft, Tiffany
Cromer, Alyson
Day, Michaela
Denney, Kirstyn
Dye, Destiny
Fay, Christian
Gilbert, David
Gomez, Jessica
Gossett, Savannah
Gray, Gabrielle
Gregory, Deanna
Hailat, Tareq
Harling, Taylor
He, Amy
Herlong, Hannah
Howard, Kayla
Howard, Megann
Hoyle, Jonathan
Huff, Anna
Husid, Eliya
So
Fr
So
Jr
Jr
So
So
Fr
So
Jr
Fr
Sr
Fr
Fr
So
Jr
Sr
So
So
So
So
So
So
Fr
So
Sr
So
Fr
Fr
So
Jr
Jr
Sr
So
So
Jr
Jr
Fr
Fr
Ex. & Sport Science
Psychology
Education
Nursing
English
Psychology
Math
Nursing
Engineering
Business/Accounting
Ex. Sport Science
Ex. Sports Science
Education
Nursing
Biology
Biology
Chemistry
English
Business admin.
Engineering
Math
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biology
Political Science
Business Admin.
Undeclared
Psychology/Fine Arts
Math/Comp. Sci
Early Childhood Ed.
Nursing
Biology
Psychology
Nursing
Computer Sc/Math
Education
Education
9
leadams@email.usca.edu
eia@email.usca.edu
ayersre@email.usca.edu
ABAKSH@email.usca.edu
HPB@email.usca.edu
yasmin@email.usca.edu
vbennae@email.usca.edu
berrybl@email.usca.edu
dpberry@email.usca.edu
sblanco@email.usca.edu
bookstam@email.usca.edu
barndta2@email.usca.edu
lcalhoun@email.usca.edu
ashlyndc@email.usca.edu
ccave@email.usca.edu
TIANA@email.usca.edu
choonyc@ email.usca.edu
dcorder@email.usca.edu
djcorder@email.usca.edu
tcraft@email.usca.edu
accromer@email.usca.edu
meday@email.usca.edu
kdenney@email.usca.edu
dyedr@email.usca.edu
cfay@email.usca.edu
gilberdm@email.usca.edu
jgomez@email.usca.edu
slg@email.usca.edu
glgray@email.usca.edu
dgregory@email.usca.edu
thailat@email.usca.edu
HARLINGT@email.usca.edu
he25@email.usca.edu
hherlong@email.usca.edu
krhoward@email.usca.edu
MCHOWARD@email.usca.edu
JHOYLE@email.usca.edu
ahuff@email.usca.edu
ehusid@email.usca.edu
Jeffcoat, Meagan
Jihad, Ayesha
Justus, Aubree
Justus, Kayla
Kelley, Hazel
Kennedy, Aisha
Krishnakumar, Ajay
LaMunion, Spencer
Lane, Melissa
LaVassar, Kirsten
Lisek, Samantha
Mackey, Joanna
Marshall, Sydney
Martin, Angelina
Martin, Hannah
McCain, Erin
McClary, Carlee
McLaughlin, Erin
Merz, Courtney
Moldovan, Orlando
Moore, Alexis
Moore, Sarah
Oliver, Katelyn
Parilla, Daymond
Paschal, Samantha
Paulo, Luntadila
Payero, Lisette
Payero, Massiel
Peck, Erin
Fr
So
Jr
Fr
Sr
Fr
Sr
So
Sr
Fr
Sr
Fr
Jr
So
So
So
Fr
Jr
So
Jr
So
So
Jr
Sr
So
So
So
So
So
Reyes-Bastida, David
Roberts, Cady
Roberts, William
Salisbury, Candice
Seay, Kati
So
Fr
Jr
So
Jr
Seufert, Sharon
Shelley, Taylor
Smith, Alyssa
Snelling, Brianna
Spires, Kenzie
Stogner, Kevin
So
Jr
So
Jr
Fr
Fr
Nursing
Sociology
Chemistry
Nursing
Comm.
Biology
History
Business
Nursing
Business Admin.
Ex. Sports Science
Ex. Sports Science
Nursing
Sec. Ed./Math
Biology
Nursing
Fine Arts
Biology
Chemistry
Political Science
Biology
Education
Middle Education
Biology
Biology
Accounting
Biology
Chemistry
Biology – Environ.
Rem.
Pre-Engineering
Ex.& Sport Science
Business Admin.
Biology
Elementary
Education
Nursing
Nursing
Biology
Biology
Biology
Nursing
10
meagandj@email.usca.edu
ajihad@email.usca.edu
AJUSTUS@email.usca.edu
kjustus@email.usca.edu
kelleyhm@email.usca.edu
aishak@email.usca.edu
krishnas@email.usca.edu
lamunis@email.usca.edu
laneme2@email.usca.edu
lavassar@email.usca.edu
lisek@email.usca.edu
jmjomackey@gmail.com
marsha73@email.usca.edu
aamartin@email.usca.edu
hmartin@email.usca.edu
emmcain@email.usca.edu
cmcclary@email.usca.edu
MCLAUGEM@email.usca.edu
merzc14@yahoo.com
Moldovam@email.usca.edu
alexisnm@email.usca.edu
samoore@email.usca.edu
OLIVERK7@email.usca.edu
parrilld@email.usca.edu
Spaschal@email.usca.edu
luntadila77@gmail.com
lpayero@email.usca.edu
massiel@email.usca.edu
epeck@email.usca.edu
reyesbad@email.usca.edu
cadyr@email.usca.edu
WROBERTS@email.usca.edu
candices@email.usca.edu
KSEAY@email.usca.edu
sseufert@email.usca.edu
TSHELLY@email.usca.edu
adsmith@email.usca.edu
BRIANNAS@email.usca.edu
lspires@email.usca.edu
stognek@email.usca.edu
Stone, Haley
Summers, Emily
Swiecki, Allison
Taylor, James
Treadway, Michaela
Vanpelt, Kayce
Wasden, Madelyn
Weeks, Jason
So
So
Fr
So
So
Sr
Sr
So
Biology
Education
Biology
Undeclared
Biology
Biology
Biology
Engineering
haleyms@email.usca.edu
esummers@email.usca.edu
aswiecki@email.usca.edu
jctaylor@email.usca.edu
treadwam@email.usca.edu
vanpeltk@email.usca.edu
WASDEN@email.usca.edu
jaweeks@email.usca.edu
Wilson, Hunter
So Ex. & Sports Sci.
Total: 88
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hcwilson@email.usca.edu
1. Robert E. Penland Administration
Building
2. USC Aiken Children’s Center
3. Gregg-Graniteville Library
4. Humanities/Social Sciences Building
5. Science Building
6. Pacer Downs Student Housing
7. Pacer Park Field
8. The Etherredge Center for Fine and
Performing Arts
9. Pickens- Salley House
10. Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
11. Business and Education
Building/Wellness Center
12.Supply and Maintenance Building
13. Student Activities Center/Natatorium
14. Baseball Field
15. University Police Offices
16. Tennis Courts
17. Alan B. Miller Nursing Building
18. Roberto Hernandez Baseball Stadium
19. Pacer Commons Student Housing
20. The USC Aiken Convocation Center
21. Pacer Crossings Student Housing
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