Honors Program
Course Descriptions for Fall 2012
Remember you will need a permission number to register for these classes. Contact us at 480-461-7079 or lbjackson@mesacc.edu for this number.
Not all classes are offered each semester - check the Honors Classes page for the current semester listing of Honors classes or see that listing in pdf format downloadable here. | This page was last updated on March 20, 2012
| ARH 100 | ASB 222 | AST 111 | CSF 176 | ECN 211 |
| ENG 101 | ENG 102 | HES 100 | HIS 212 | IGS 291 |
| MHL 145 | POS 223 | PSY 101 | PSY 132 | PSY 266 |
| REC 120 | Red Mountain Classes | Internet Classes |
ARH 100 Introduction to Art class # 38923 MWF 9:00AM - 9:50AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Humanities & Fine Arts [HU]
Understanding and enjoyment of art through study of painting, sculpture, architecture design, photography, and decorative arts. Emphasis on contemporary topics and cultural diversity in the arts.
Instructor: Lindsey Pedersen
ASB 222 Buried Cities and Lost Tribes: Old World class #30250 MWF 8:00AM - 8:50AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Global Awareness [G], Historical Awareness [H], Humanities & Fine Arts [HU], Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Introduction to archaeology through discoveries and the researchers who made them. Emphasis on methods of archaeological fieldwork and what these discoveries reveal about humanity, including the nature of archaeological inquiry, the development of human social groups, the changing role of religion in evolving societies, the origins of agriculture, the origins of settled lifeways, the rise of cities and complex societies, political strife across different cultures and the forces which tend to fragment societies. Examples drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and Australia..
Instructor: Karen Schollmeyer
AST 111 Introduction to Solar System Astronomy #32866 TR 10:00AM - 11:15AM 3 credits
Students MUST also register for any Astronomy Lab class (AST 113).
General Education Designation: Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Introduction to astronomy for the non-science major. History of astronomy, properties of light, instruments, the solar system and nearby stars.
Instructor: John Hester
CFS 176 Child Development class # 30396 MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Billboards and bumper stickers boldly announce, “The Children are our Future”. But, do we REALLY VALUE children in the United States? Are we applying our knowledge of child growth and development to best meet the needs of our children? What are the most important child-related issues to be addressed that will insure their future as productive citizens and successful adults? In this course we will study a child’s cognitive, physical and social-emotional development from conception through adolescence while focusing on the inter-relationships between individuals and environmental influences.
Instructor: Christine M Osgood has taught Child Development at MCC for 11 years. She is involved in numerous community and professional activities that support children and families. Since receiving her Ph.D. in Child Development from Iowa State University, Dr. Osgood has taught Child and Family Studies courses at community colleges and universities in Virginia, Iowa and Arizona.
ECN 211 Macroeconomic Principles class # 33146 TR 10:30AM - 11:45AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
A descriptive analysis of the structure and functioning of the American economy. Emphasis on basic economic institutions and factors that determine national income and employment levels. Consideration given to the macroeconomic topics of national income, unemployment, inflation and monetary and fiscal policies.
Instructor: Doug Conway
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class# 30629 MWF 8:00AM - 8:50AM 3 credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English.
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Mary Aldridge
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class# 30953 MWF 9:00AM - 9:50AM 3 Credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English.
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Amber Pfannenstiel
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class# 30991 MWF 11:00AM - 11:50AM 3 credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English.
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Jason Renzi
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class # 30974 TR 10:30AM - 11:15AM 3 credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English.
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Jeff Andelora
ENG 102 First-Year Composition class #30719 MWF 10:00AM - 10:50AM 3 credits
Prerequisites: ENG101 with a grade of "C" or better.
Eng 102 is a research writing course. Students will be expected to identify a topic of interest to them, and conduct relevant scholarly and "popular" research. Students will work in collaborative groups throughout the semester, as well as intensive one-on-one meetings with the instructor. The course consists of a single term paper.
Instructor: Autumn McKelvey
HES 100 Healthful Living class #31029 MWF 12:00PM - 12:50PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Health and wellness and their application to an optimal life style. Explores current topics of interest such as stress management, nutrition, fitness, and environmental health. Evaluates common risk factors associated with modern lifestyles. Evaluates common risk factor associated with modern lifestyles and incorporates an extensive review of behavior modification strategies and applying these strategies to modifying one's own negative lifestyle behaviors.
Instructor: Sharon B. McLaughlin
HIS 212 Historical Foundations of Religion class #40142 TR 9:00AM - 10:15AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Historical Awareness [H] and Humanities & Fine Arts [HU]
The class is an examination of the world's five major religions from a historical perspective. The religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Honors only section will be conducted in a seminar format which means that students, either by themselves or in a group, will take turns leading the discussion on the topic for the day. The class will be highly interactive which means that everyone participates, and that we get to know each other on a more personal basis. Tracing the history of these religions helps explain much of the conflict in the world today and helps make us more informed citizens.
Instructor: Betsy Hertzler I have a lifelong interest in different religions as I traveled extensively as an Air Force "brat" and lived in Japan for 6 years. I still enjoy travel so that I can experience different cultures and religions firsthand. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and look forward to each semester. I have Master's degree in History and in Counseling as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership. The work on my doctorate convinced me that I wanted to stay in the classroom!
IGS 291 Studies in Global Awareness- class #40741 TR 12:00PM - 1:15PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Global Awerness [G] .
This is a three-hour humanities discussion/seminar tied to the current Honors Study Topic. This year's topic is " The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril and Promise.” Because the Honors Study Topic (HST) changes every two years, there is no required textbook. We'll examine issues such as Facebook, media available 24/7, literacy rates around the world, etc. Class members will select the material used for discussion purposes in class, as each student will take at least one turn at being the discussion leader for that day. You will be provided with a Study Guide that discusses the HST in detail through a series of issues. The guide includes a bibliography and a website that has further information and a suggested film list. Students may also make their own selections of material to use for their presentation. The instructors are also a resource for possible discussion material. Each student is responsible for getting a copy of the material to be read to the instructors at least a week before their presentation date so that the class will have an opportunity to read the material and be prepared to participate in the class discussion. Another class requirement is attendance at the Honors Forum presentations. If you are unable to attend a presentation, a copy of the talk will be available on DVD, as you will be submitting a critique of the talk. The class is experiential since it is based on class discussion that is lively and engaging.
Instructor: Betsy Hertzler and Scott Russell
Betsy Hertzler has been a faculty member at MCC since 1984 and has been an Honors coordinator for the past 16 years. I teach ancient and medieval western civilization as well as the history of world religions. History has been a life-long love because it explains so much of what is happening in the present. We will use history to discuss the paradox of affluence and what the past has to tell us about the present. I thoroughly enjoy teaching adults and find teaching an Honors class to be very stimulating as Honors students are motivated and actively participate in class.
MHL 145 American Jazz & Popular Music class #32047 MWF 10:00AM - 10:50AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Cultural Diversity in the United States [C] and Humanities & Fine Arts [HU]
The study of cultural and social contributions to the evolution of American jazz and popular music from the mid-1800's to present.
Instructor: Hugh Lovelady
POS 223 Civil Rights class #33267 MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Cultural Diversity in the United States [C] and Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
The historic background and current status of major civil rights issues in the United States.
Instructor: Therese Desai
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology class #32885 MWF 11:00AM - 11:50AM 3 credits
**Students taking PSY 101 MUST take PSY 102 Intro to Psychology Lab class#32918 ~ 1 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Honors Introduction to Psychology will examine the basic areas of Psychological Science such as how we learn, remember and forget, how we grow and develop emotionally as well as physically, how we form relationships and how we behave in the social world in which we live. We will also study and discuss personality development, psychopathological behavior and treatment, as well as the physiology of the brain and its relationship to behavior. The emphasis of this course will be on application of the concepts and theories to help us better understand and function effectively in the world in which we live. The course will include group projects and class discussion.
Instructor: Ann T. Ewing I have taught Honors classes at MCC for many years and I thoroughly enjoy the interaction with bright, highly motivated and engaged students. I earned my B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at Occidental College in California and my Ph.D. at Arizona State University. I have been the advisor of Psi Beta, the national honor society for students in Psychology, since its inception in 1991. It brings me great joy to share the field of Psychological Science with students.
PSY 132 Psychology & Culture class #33035 TR 9:00AM - 10:15AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Cultural Diversity in the United States [C], Global Awareness [G], & Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Psychology and Culture Presents current knowledge about human diversity in behavior and culture using examples from a variety of contexts and nations. This course begins with an introduction to the theoretical background underlying cross-cultural psychology. Students will be introduced to the research method and how it is used to study various topics related to cross-cultural psychology. This course will provide the student with a set of critical thinking tools which will be used to examine, analyze, and evaluate the field of cross-cultural psychology.
The honors section of this course will focus on contemporary problems faced by American Society. Students will be required to discuss, critique, and present current research in psychology. Topics to be covered include: intergroup relations, ethnocentrism, gender, personality, emotion, language, communication, work, and health. Emphasis will be placed on applications of behavioral and cognitive principles to enhance interactions in a multicultural world. Prerequisites-none.
Instructor: Ann T. Ewing I have taught Honors classes at MCC for many years and I thoroughly enjoy the interaction with bright, highly motivated and engaged students. I earned my B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at Occidental College in California and my Ph.D. at Arizona State University. I have been the advisor of Psi Beta, the national honor society for students in Psychology, since its inception in 1991. It brings me great joy to share the field of Psychological Science with students.
PSY 266 Abnormal Psychology Class #33020 TR 12:00PM - 1:15PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
This class will introduce you to a variety of the disorders that are seen in clinical practice. The class is designed to both inform you about these disorders AND to capture your passion! The goal is to study psychological disorders from the perspective of the profoundly human experiences they create. In other words, we will study abnormal psychology with both the "dispassionate eye of a scientist" and the "compassionate heart of a practitioner". There will be a lot of interesting discussion.
The honors section for Abnormal Psychology will include a Service Learning component that is intended to give you some real world experience in the area of abnormal psychology.
Instructor: Thomas Schmidt Abnormal Psychology is one of my favorite classes to teach! Before becoming a professor of psychology at MCC, I worked in the mental health field, in a variety of settings, with people who had been diagnosed with a wide range of psychological disorders. My work in the field has given me a wealth of experiences that I bring to the class. Regarding my educational background, I earned my B.S. at the University of Iowa, M.Ed. at Boston University, and Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut.
REC 120 Leisure & the Quality of Life class #31075 TR 10:30AM - 11:45AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Overview of the historical, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of play, leisure, and recreation and their role in contemporary society. Nature of play and leisure behavior in human development within different cultures and the contribution play, recreation, and leisure make to the quality of life for individuals in today's society.
Instructor: Duane Oakes
Red Mountain Classes
ECN 211 Macroeconomic Principles class # 33278 TR 9:00AM - 10:15AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
A descriptive analysis of the structure and functioning of the American economy. Emphasis on basic economic institutions and factors that determine national income and employment levels. Consideration given to the macroeconomic topics of national income, unemployment, inflation and monetary and fiscal policies.
Instructor: Scott Gustafson
ASB 102 Intro to Cultural and Social Anthropology class #40390 TR 12:00 - 1:15PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Global Awareness [G] and Social & Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Principles of cultural and social anthropology, with illustrative materials from a variety of cultures. The nature of culture; social, political, and economic systems; religion, aesthetics and language.
Instructor: Shereen Lerner
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class #41306 TR 9:00AM - 10:15AM 3 credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Staff
GPH 210 Society and Environment class #40389 MWF 11:00AM - 11:50AM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Global Awareness [G]
Principles of physical geography relating to environmental problems pertinent to contemporary society. Pollution, maladjusted land use, resource exploitation.
Instructor: Niccole Cerveny
Women and Film HUM 209 class #30876 or WST 209 class #30269 TR 1:30PM - 2:45PM 3 credits
General Education Designation: Cultural Diversity in the United States [C], Historical Awareness [H], and Humanities & Fine Arts [HU]
Analysis of images of women in films from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Instructor: Amy Leer
Internet Classes
BPC 110 Computer Usage and Applications class #29694 3 credits
General Education Designation: Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS]
Introduction to business and personal computer operations and usage. Software applications for analyzing and solving business problems including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics.
This class provides in-depth coverage of the new Microsoft Office 2010 suite including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Students will learn how to produce Office documents creatively and efficiently and how to integrate documents between programs. A special emphasis is solving real-world business problems with Excel spreadsheets and Access databases. Students enrolled at MCC are eligible to buy Office 2010 at an approximately 80% student discount.
Instructor: David Harrid is in his 10th year teaching at MCC. He earned a BA in Liberal Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA from Arizona State University. He has a 30+ year career in Management Information Systems and Information Technology and has also taught for the Business College at Arizona State University, Western International University, the University of Phoenix, and at MCCCD colleges GWCC and PVCC. Mr. Harris, currently serving as the BPC Occupational Program Director, is certified by Microsoft at the expert level in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. If you have any questions about the course or required materials, contact him at dharris@mesacc.edu.
ENG 101 First-Year Composition class # 30931 3 credits
Prerequisites: To be eligible for Honors English, you MUST test into Honors English
Emphasis on rhetoric and composition with a focus on expository writing and understanding writing as a process. Establishing effective college-level writing strategies through four or more writing projects comprising at least 3,000 words in total.
Instructor: Gwen Argersinger
Please contact Honors: email | phone: 480-461-7079 | FAX: 480-844-3236 | Location: SC/14 |
