Tuesday 1:00-1:50 p.m. 

In this course, students explore critical issues such as literacy, affordable housing, food security, environmental sustainability, and equity identified by affected communities in the local community using an asset-based approach. It seeks to raise awareness of these critical issues through sustained research into community organizations serving the St. Cloud area and beyond, uniting action and academic exploration. Required as part of the Honors first-year experience.

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Cavalli

Monday and Wednesday 11:00 a.m.-12:50 p.m.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of hip-hop culture from its historic roots in the US to its global impact today. Students will critically examine the aesthetic, cultural, and political components of hip-hop, including its elements—DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti—as well as its broader cultural practices like fashion, language, and activism. Through a combination of readings, multimedia, and hands-on projects, students will explore the connections between hip-hop and larger socio-political movements, identity formation, and cultural resistance. 

Students will engage in discussions and analysis about key figures, historical contexts, and significant movements within hip-hop culture. Additionally, students will develop their own projects—ranging from mixtapes to multimedia presentations—that apply theoretical and analytic frameworks to contemporary issues within hip-hop culture. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with a deeper understanding of hip-hop’s role as a powerful tool for storytelling, expression, and social change. 

Instructor: Prof. Michael Dando

Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-4:45 p.m.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tailored for students from diverse academic backgrounds. By exploring AI through the lenses of various disciplines, students will gain a holistic understanding of its applications and implications. The course emphasizes practical insights and real-world examples, particularly focusing on how AI platforms are created, advanced, and can be leveraged to problem solve, ideate, create, explore, and so much more. This course is designed for students with no prior experience in AI, making it accessible and engaging for everyone. Join us to discover how AI is transforming our world and how you can be a part of this exciting journey!

Instructor: Prof. Mary Clifford

Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Students and the instructor will work together to identify a unique list of events, developments, and people from around the world that have shaped or changed the course of modern history. The identified list of events, developments, and people and the past, present, and possible future positive and negative social, economic, cultural, and other impacts will be explored through discussions, debates, guests, games, and activities. Concepts of ethics and morals in general and specific to each world changing event, development, or person will be explored. 

Instructor: Prof. Steven Anderson

Monday and Wednesday 9:30-10:45 a.m. 

This course will examine and evaluate critical reasoning in academic discourse and discussions, the construction of arguments, and the management of academic research. Required for all Honors College students.

Instructor: Prof. Michael Gorman

Monday and Wednesday 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Environmental Sound Art examines the broad category of sonic arts that are in some way “environmental.” Discussing the meaning of this term, the competing (and sometimes contradictory) terms, and how they may apply to an art form constitutes the earliest work in the course. Throughout the semester we will examine historical art forms and cultural practices that in some way provide the foundation for contemporary environmental art. Coursework includes engaging with primary and secondary sources of information, including artist's statements, contemporary descriptions of historical works, archival and documentary recordings, and theoretical literature. Projects demonstrating the application of concepts in the creation of new artwork are an essential aspect of the course.

Instructor: Prof. Scott Miller

Monday and Wednesday 2:00-3:15 p.m.

"The fastest way to get smart is to avoid the pitfalls of the stupid. But you need to learn them first." -- Prof. Ted Giola, Stanford. This course is a multi-disciplinary study of how humans have perceived things as stupid. From the Greeks to Forrest Gump, from tulipmania to the Knights Templar, students appreciate the folly of human vanity at the individual and collective level.

Instructor: Prof. King Banaian