Current Honors Courses

HONR 302: Six by Sondheim (Section 01) 

• Upper-Level Honors Seminar: Humanities 
• Dr. Natalie Gerber
• Face-to-Face: Tues./Thurs., 9:30–10:50 a.m. (CRN: 16747); 26 seats
• Location: TBA

Course description: 

We will examine six shows by Sondheim (not just lyrics). We’ll start with Gypsy, where Sondheim “came of age—lyrically”; attend the Mainstage production of A Little Night Music (student ticket purchase required); consider at least one with Lapine (student choice); and end with Here We Are, the final show produced after his passing. In between, students will choose another two shows (which will impact book orders). We’ll talk about collaboration and look at how Sondheim’s work changed with his collaborators—Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, James Lapine, John Weidman, and David Ives. Students will take the lead in guiding discussion of the shows except for Gypsy and will then develop a final creative or analytical project inspired by our course.  

Class materials: 

• librettos to 6 Sondheim musicals, including Gypsy, A Little Night Music, and Here We Are plus, three shows chosen by students (one show must be with James Lapine) 
• Attendance at A Little Night Music (You must either attend or be part of crew/cast for the Mainstage production) 
• additional materials will be provided on FREDLearn or via link 

Assignments: 

in-class writing; reading quizzes; discussion leading and research sharing for one musical; production reflection paper on A Little Night Music; final project (creative or critical). There will also be required attendance at two film screenings that will likely be out of class. 

HONR 303:  Sustaining Collaborative Relationships (Section 01) 

• Upper-Level Honors Seminar: Social Sciences 
• Dr. Jessica Gugino
• Face-to-face: Mon., 4:30–6:50 p.m. (CRN: TBD); 12 seats 
• Location: Room TBD

Course description: 

This course takes a “whole-student” focus for serving students who have special needs. Thinking beyond the classroom, we’ll explore how family members, non-school community partners, and the community are collectively essential to students’ learning and long-term success. We’ll examine the history of family involvement as partners in education, as well as historical influences from the days before “inclusion” became a “thing.” Using a PLC (Professional Learning Community) approach, we will focus on best practices in family/community collaboration from early childhood through high school. Capitalizing on invited expert guests, we’ll examine real supports that are instrumental in the lives of children and youth receiving special education services. This course goes well beyond the typical “four walls” of a classroom, inviting us to stretch our expectations and expertise as future educators, community service practitioners across fields (e.g., social work, speech/language services, mental health, and adult living services), and family members of students with special needs. 

Class materials: 

OER resources (no cost to students)

Assignments:  

A range of research and practical assignments will be accomplished by both individuals and in our course PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). Using problem-based learning as the core of several assignments, work will include the following: 

• Leadership and skill-building for effective collaboration: Analysis of needed skillsets and personal goal-setting 
• Past & present: Artifact-based research influencing effective family and community involvement today 
• Strategies Hub: Identify, research, and report on best practices for effective family-practitioner collaboration 

HONR 305 Democracy and Authoritarianism in Uncertain Times: (Section 01) 

• Upper-Level Honors Seminar: The Human Past 
• Dr. Jonathan Chausovsky 
• Face-to-face: Tues./Thurs., 2:00–3:20 p.m. (CRN: 17173); 26 seats 
• Location: Room TBD

Course description: 

After some 80 years of relative stability following World War II, the United States is in a period of political upheaval. This impacts the international system, allies and foes alike. We will begin with a brief study of the foundations of nation states. This will provide a benchmark for what is to come. We then examine the structures and means of support for key authoritarian and democratic states after World War II. Political parties are essential; states can have one, two, or many, and these depend on electoral rules. Then we will focus on changes since the fall of the Soviet Union. Democratic backsliding in countries like Venezuela, Hungary, and Turkey has elements in common; these have oddly informed political movements in European countries and in the United States. Social and political movements do not emerge in a vacuum. They emerge out of preexisting political circumstances. While liberalism largely triumphed in the middle of the twentieth century, conservative opposition reacted by developing an extensive network to shape policies. We will explore the various elements of this reaction over the past 25 years, including in media and social media, in campaign finance, the capture of institutions, voting rules, technological change, and inequality of wealth. In the United States we need to also consider the separation of powers system, in which Congress has delegated much of its power to the executive, with an assist by the Courts.  

We will follow recent and current events in our politics, at home and abroad. Our course material will provide a foundation for making as much sense as we can out of what might otherwise seem senseless.  We know there will be change, but what that will lead to is wildly uncertain. But when we get done, you will have a better understanding of these political structures, which are inevitably in flux. 

Class materials: 

We will use two books. The first is a classic comparative study from 1948 of crisis governing in democracies up to the end of World War II. It compares ancient Rome, Germany, France, the U.K. and the United States during what is called “states of exception”: in other words, emergencies. It provides historical background combined with identifying key patterns and issues. The second book consists of a collection of new essays by notable scholars on Democratic Backsliding. The essays cover issues and areas throughout the globe. This second edition is due to be published in late January 2027. I have been waiting for this updated edition for a few years and am excited to finally read it and to teach it. While it will form the majority of our readings, we will add more recent material as events develop. 

1. Clinton Rossiter. Constitutional Dictatorship: Crisis Government in the Modern Democracies. Princeton University Press. 1948. Openlibrary_edition OL58779331M Available for free download as pdf or epub at: https://archive.org/details/ constitutionaldi031287mbp 

2. Constitutional Democracy in Crisis? II. Edited by Mark A. Grabe, Mark Tushnet, Sanford Levinson, and Antonia Baraggia. Oxford University Press. 2027. ISBN: 978-0197830321 

Assignments: 

Students will identify issues from the readings, and write essays that evaluate perspectives, countries, and patterns. This will initially work with the assigned readings and then expand to outside research on questions raised by them. Participation in class discussion is also emphasized. 

HONR 490: Honors Internship (Section 01)

• Applied-Learning Experience (may substitute for an Honors course with an Honors Program Learning contract)
• Faculty Sponsor: Angela McGowan Kirsch or Catherine Creeley 
• Modality and credits variable (2-3); (CRN: 16751); 3 seats 

Course description: 

Upper-level experiential learning opportunity through on- or off-campus placements. Nature of work will vary from placement to placement. This course is generally reserved for Honors Program members, and students are responsible for finding and negotiating their own placement. Enrollment requires students to consult with the Honors Program Director and the Career Development Office to complete a Learning Contract in accordance with college guidelines before the start of the internship. 

Class materials: 

varies with experiences

Assignments: 

Specified on an individual basis via a CDO learning contract and an Honors learning contract

• Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research Intern: 
• https://fredonia.joinhandshake.com/jobs/11101263/share_preview 
• Social Media Intern -  
• https://fredonia.joinhandshake.com/jobs/11101301/share_preview 
• Honors Living–Learning Community Intern https://fredonia.joinhandshake.com/jobs/11101291/share_preview 
• Honors Community & Event Planning Intern - https://fredonia.joinhandshake.com/jobs/11101274/share_preview 
• Photo/Video & Website Content Development Intern - https://fredonia.joinhandshake.com/jobs/11101283/share_preview