Spring 2022 Explorations

Successful completion of an Honors Exploration includes attending and actively participating in the entire duration of each session, as well as completing all readings and assignments.

The Honors Program expects that Spring 2022 Honors Explorations will meet face-to-face. However, we will continue to monitor restrictions and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and may need to make adjustments as new information becomes available. If Explorations were to move online, they would be meet synchronously via Zoom at the scheduled class time.

Barbecue in America: History, Culture, and Science
Justin Rickard, Associate Professor, Department of Agriculture
Mondays, 4 - 6 pm; Ropp Agriculture Building Classroom 107F

January 24
January 31
February 7
February 14
February 21

Barbecue is a term that has been referred to as a type of food, a cooking method, and a social event. It has become a cultural phenomenon that crosses many barriers. What is it about this term that brings together people from so many different walks of life? How has something as simple as cooking meat in rural communities grown into one of the most popular foods in the United States? In this exploration we will explore the rural roots of barbecue, barbecue in a cultural context, and the science behind tastes that vary by region of the country.

Cinematic Boogeymen: Culture, Horror Films, & Why We Love a Good Scare
Dr. Eric Wesselmann, Professor, Department of Psychology
Thursdays, 6:30 - 9 pm (including a film screening)

The January 27 and February 24 meetings will be held at Capen Auditorium (Edwards 235). The meetings on February 3, 10, and March 3 will be held at the Normal Theater.

January 27
February 3 (University Weather Closure)
February 10 (No meeting February 17)
February 24
March 3

Horror has always been a popular film genre cross-culturally. We have a good sense for the reasons why people like to be scared, but what scares people varies by sociopolitical and cultural contexts. The social and psychological dynamics of horror are embodied in the “boogeyman” – a common figure in horror films. Cinematic boogeymen are paradoxical – they take on the shape of what people in a culture fear most, yet they are also morbidly fascinating. They are the antagonists of the films, yet they are also the “stars” we cannot get enough of. In this exploration we will confront some of these boogeymen and analyze their captivating hold on U.S. culture. Don’t be afraid of the dark!

This Exploration will include screenings of movies such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, It - Chapter 1, and Candyman.

Exhibition Discomfort: Examining the Contested Spaces in American Historical Museums
Dr. Kyle Ciani, Professor, Department of History
Thursdays, 4 - 6 pm; Fell Hall 125

January 27
February 3 (University Weather Closure)
February 10
February 17 (University Weather Closure)
February 24
March 3

Historical museums across the United States have reassessed the ways they present historical content to the public by examining the legacy of their holdings. From controversies over displaying objects (such as Confederate flags and the B-29 Enola Gay bomber) to efforts to bring the histories of marginalized people into exhibits (such as the histories of the LGBTQAI+ communities), decisions made by museum authorities are often driven by economic and political stances. In this exploration we will examine a sampling of museum installations that generated discomfort among officials to understand the types of historical subjects that continue to unnerve the public. We will connect with museum professionals from institutions at diverse venues who will share their experiences in reckoning with the historical past.

Exploring Creativity Through Game (World) Design and Virtual Reality in the Unity Game Engine
Dr. Roy Magnuson, Associate Director, Creative Technologies
Fridays, 1 - 3 pm; Julian Hall Room 113

January 28; students should bring their own device to the first meeting
February 4 (Canceled)
February 11
February 18
February 25
March 4

Learn the Unity Engine and Virtual Reality in order to explore limitations and nature of the creative process. Students will create several small functioning "game" environments and a final fully-functional VR-environment.

Express Yourself: Understanding and Communicating Gender Identity
Tricia Larkin, Clinical Educator, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Wednesdays, 6:15 - 8:15 pm; Honors Program Building

January 26
February 2 (University Weather Closure)
February 9
February 16
February 23
March 2

Gender identity is not limited to binary categories of 'male' or 'female' that are assigned at birth. Join us in thoughtful discussions to learn how individuals may communicate gender identity with conversational partners. Together we will compare and contrast portrayals of gender identity across time. Conversations will foster examination of communication elements associated with perceptions of gender identity. Participants will understand how perceptions of gender identity and gendered language impacts connections to the community of gender diverse individuals.

Mind the Gap: Why Scientists and the General Public Often Disagree on Important Issues
Dr. Wade Nichols, Associate Professor of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences
Mondays, 5 - 7 pm; State Farm Hall of Business 368

January 24
January 31
February 7
February 14
February 21

There exists strong consensus among the scientific community on vaccines, GMOs, evolution, and climate change, however, surveys show that a significant portion, if not most, of the general public holds different views on these same matters. In this exploration we will explore some of the reasons underlying this gap between the scientific community and the general public. Topics will include a brief survey of the scientific data for each of these matters, the role of various communication styles, how the media presents science to the public, how social media has affected science communication, and the psychology and cognition of how people process information and either hold on to their beliefs or change their minds when faced with new data. Each student will use information covered in the meetings to develop a video/slideshow/poster/brochure that conveys technical information in manner that is readily approachable to a general audience.