Course Directory

University Honors Program Fall 2008 Courses

Liberal Arts Core

010:130:01   Science and Pseudo-Science: Critiquing the World Around You with Dr. Seth Brown and Dr. Kimberly Cline-Brown, 11:00-12:15 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category VI - Capstone (Junior standing )

Course Description: Daily, we are bombarded with interesting and novel breakthroughs and findings, for which these claims may or may not be true. This course builds off of students' knowledge to apply critical thinking and scientific analysis to controversial topics from various disciplines in the world around us. The topics covered will include those presented by the instructors (e.g. Near Death Experiences, crypto zoology, prayer therapy, military weapons) and those chosen by the class via student presentations (past examples are intelligent design, chiropractics, stock market predictions, persuasion). Discussions, debates, and projects will not only focus on interdisciplinary critiques from both sides of issues, but also developing solutions to the critiques and identifying how people, even smart ones, can believe in questionable issues.

Course Objectives
• To expose students to controversial and interdisciplinary topics, integrate information from various disciplines, and encourage dialogue of scientific evidence.
• Facilitate understanding of methods utilized to present these topics to the general public and teach dialectical and critical thinking approaches to diverse topics in the world around us.
• Build confidence in the ability to verbally discuss/debate controversial issues as well as written expression of these ideas.

Professors Biography: Seth Brown (Ph.D. University of New Mexico) Teaching interests are clinical training, empirically-supported treatment, and severe mental illness. General research interests include severe mental illness (particularly schizophrenia). Specifically, I'm interested in the experience and consequences of auditory hallucinations, mental illness stigma, and understanding self-harm behavior. My applied work involves psychological assessment and treatment.

Kimberly Cline-Brown (Ph.D. Biology with distinction).  I enjoy integrating concepts from different disciplines to create a rounded, possibly more complete picture of an issue and teaching so that we can apply our knowledge to various concepts (usually via activities or projects).  Research interests focus on Darwinian medicine, an interdisciplinary and evolutionary approach to medical conditions, specifically Major Depressive Disorder.

31F:010:04   Human Identity and Relationships with Dr. Gary Gute, 12:30-1:45 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category VB

Course Description: This seminar squarely addresses the two topics in its title: Identity and Relationships. As an honors section, the seminar takes a sophisticated and contemporary approach that I hope you will find intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding.

During the first half of the course, we will explore Identity through the contemporary and controversial examination of literature on The Self. Is each human being compromised of one core Self or of multiple Selves? This foundational question will focus our exploration of contemporary and classic literature about the nature of the Self. We will also investigate how our view of The Self/Multiple Selves has important ramifications for how we live our lives.

Over the last ten years, Positive Psychology has proved a tremendously popular framework for researching and understanding how human beings can live meaningful lives. During his announcement that Positive Psychology would be better named Positive Social Science, Seligman (2007) offered five pillars necessary for a meaningful life: Positive Emotion (life satisfaction, happiness, engagement); Positive Traits (the expression of strengths and virtues for pursuing excellence); Positive Relationships; Meaning and Purpose; Accomplishment. Of these, Positive Relationships adds the newest dimension to the tradition of Positive Psychology. During the second half of this course, we will survey the field of Positive Psychology/Positive Social Science, paying detailed attention to the current theoretical and research literature on Positive Relationships. We will apply this literature to help us better understand how people can develop richer, more meaningful relationships and lives.

Professor Biography: Gary Gute is an assistant professor of Family Studies. He received his PhD in Human Development from Iowa State University . He has a Master's Degree in Theatre from UNI, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in English from UNI. His research areas include the experiential dimensions of creativity, family influences on creativity, psychological complexity, and the sexual attitudes and behaviors of undergraduates. He strongly believes that classes, and learning in general, require a balance of two traits often viewed as opposites: discipline and fun.

400:001:01   Introduction to Psychology with Dr. Kimberly MacLin, 9:30-10:45 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category VB – (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description: Psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain and behavior. Some of what you will learn may seem like "common sense," or at the very least familiar to you because you will be learning about topics that you can relate to.  However, one of the most important things you will learn is that some of what we believe to be "common sense" is not true at all, and that even "common sense" principles should be evaluated scientifically. You will learn about psychology from several different viewpoints: psychology as an academic science, psychology in life (yours!), and psychology in the broader world. All course assignments and materials are designed to bring psychology to you from these different areas.

Professor Biography: Dr. Kim MacLin is Associate Professor of Psychology & Law, and Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Northern Iowa . She received her BA from the University of California Riverside in Psychology and English, and her PhD from the University of Nevada Reno in Social Psychology. She teaches undergraduate courses in Research Methods, Introductory Psychology, and Psychology & Law. She teaches graduate level courses in Advanced Social Psychology and Motivation & Emotion. She is author of Experimental Psychology, and co-author of Cognitive Psychology, both widely used textbooks in psychology departments around the world. She is an award-winning teacher, and strives to create an interactive and fun learning environment. Questions? Feel free to email (kim.maclin@uni.edu), or find her on Facebook.

48C:001:12   Oral Communication with Dr. Penny O'Connor, 9:30-10:45 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IB

Course Description: This course is a survey course designed to assist the student in discovering how verbal and nonverbal communication messages function in a variety of settings--intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and public. By studying the theory and process of communication and applying communication theory and principles to diverse real-life situations, students will have opportunities to practice and analyze communication skills in various communication contexts. In order to do this, this course involves both written and oral assignments throughout the semester.

The honors section will involve more critical analysis and discussion of course concepts, with an emphasis on both speaking and listening. At least one of the assignments will have a social issues or service-learning component, and topics for speeches will have more specific guidelines than other sections. Students will complete at least 3 individual speeches and one group project.

Professor Biography: Penny O'Connor (M.A.) has been a full-time member of the Communication Studies faculty since 1988. She is a former coach of the UNI Individual Events Speech team and currently serves as manager of the Oral Comm course, supervising and mentoring the graduate teaching assistants who also teach the course. She teaches a variety of courses in the department, but her primary emphasis is on the basic course, Oral Comm. She has been involved in a great number of community service activities, including serving as a volunteer for Cedar Valley Hospice for 20 years, serving as a Weight Watchers leader for 14 years, and being involved in community theatre. Her philosophy of education and life in general is that we shouldn't waste time doing it if it is not any fun.

490:002:01   Theatrical Arts and Society (Topic: Unheard Voices) with Dr. Cynthia Goatley, 9:30 – 10:45 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIIA

Course Description: How does the theatre change our society? How does our society change the theatre? What do we mean when we say “theatre” or “society”? Theatre as a collaborative and communal art form brings playwrights, actors, director, designers, and audience together in space and time. What effect do we have on one another? How does the voice of theatre bring voice to our society, especially those that may not have had a voice in the larger political discussion? These will be our guiding questions for this course.

A hands-on approach to the class will require participants to not only theorize about theatre, but also to practice it through developing projects to explore the link between theatre and society. In addition, seeing theatre productions will be a key element of the course. We will see productions on campus as well as at other venues. This course will provide you with an opportunity to explore, theorize, and participate in theatre, as well as to question the world around you.

Professor Biography: Dr. Cynthia Goatley is a director, playwright, and actor. Her musical, Scotch Verdict , written with composer, Rebecca Burkhardt from the School of Music , has been selected this summer for Stages, work-in-progress performances at the Theatre Building , Chicago . Dr. Goatley is a recipient of two teaching awards: the CHFA Faculty Excellence Award and the Regent's Faculty Excellence Award. A two-time Fulbright scholar, she has developed theatre exchange programs in Poland and Russia .

620:031:05   Introduction to Literature (Writing emphasis) with Dr. Anne Myles,

12:30-1:45 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIIB and IA – (class in Honors Cottage)

Note: Students who complete this writing-enhanced course will be able to satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements in two categories: IIIB (Literature, Philosophy, or Religion) and IA ( Reading and Writing).

Course Description: In this course we'll look at works of literature in a range of genres, all of which in one way or another touch on the question of what it means to live as an American in the 20 th / 21 st century and whether there are any identifiable elements to the “American self” or “American experience.” Units in the course will include “Immigrant Generations” (fiction), “Ghosts and Angels: Living with History” (drama), “Self-Invention and the Craft(iness) of Memoir,” and “The Way We Live Now: Pop Culture and Performance in Poetry”; we'll also watch some film or video related to the works we've read. Within each unit, key texts will be paired in order to compare perspectives on a similar theme and to examine the different literary choices writers make and their effects. Course readings will balance male and female writers, and will include multicultural and gay perspectives.

This is a writing-enhanced course; students will write weekly short response papers, several of which they will expand and revise for longer polished essays; there will also be the option to try out one or two creative writing assignments as a different kind of response to literature. In addition, students will work in groups to research and present supplementary material to enrich our understanding of the works we are covering. Most days will focus on discussion both with the whole class and, at times, in small groups.

Professor Biography: I grew up in New York City and studied at Bryn Mawr College (A.B.) and the University of Chicago (M.A., Ph.D.); this will be my ninth year teaching at UNI and living in Iowa, both of which I really enjoy. My interest in American literature and identity was spurred by my pre-college education at the United Nations International School, which had a large percentage of international students and faculty; “Americanness” was not the norm (much less a core value) there, which got me wondering just what it means to be American, since I had no other origin to claim. Over the years I've enjoyed thinking about the many answers to this question. My research focuses on the beginnings of American expression in the literature of the 17 th and 18 th centuries, with an emphasis on writing by religious and political dissenters; in all eras, I'm especially interested in writing by those whose lives are marked by “difference” in some way. I'm looking forward to exploring these issues in relation to some pieces of literature I really like and some I've always wanted to read, and to hearing students' perspectives on their own American lives.

640:024:03   Religions of the World with Dr. Kenneth Atkinson, 11:00-11:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIIB – (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description : Why do people kill in the name of God? Can different religions exist peacefully together? Why do we suffer? What do the different world religions teach about the afterlife? Is it possible to be religious and not believe in God? Do I have to be religious to be in this class? If you are interested in these questions, then this is the course for you. My goal in this class is to introduce you to the exciting field of the academic study of religion and the world's major religions. Whether you know a little or a great deal about religion, I believe that you will find this course to be a fascinating introduction to the major religions of the world and how they affect you today. We will not only study the good side of religion, but we will also explore together the origins of contemporary religious violence in order to help you understand the important role that faith continues to play in world conflicts. This is a fun, but important, class that will provide you with vital information that will help you better understand our complex world.

Professor Biography: During my life I have held a many jobs, including factory worker in Detroit , solider in Cold War Berlin , full-time traveler, Middle Eastern archaeologist, and now a university professor in Iowa . I draw upon my varied life experiences to make the subjects I teach more interesting, and to help students relate to the material. I have three graduate degrees in religion ( University of Chicago and Temple University , Philadelphia ). During my time at UNI, I have written four books (including one on Religions of the World), numerous academic publications, and worked as a Bible translator. You can find more about my background, my publications, my university awards, my teaching philosophy, and why I think this class is necessary for all UNI students, by visiting my web site ( http://www.uni.edu/atkinson ).

680:021:02    Humanities I with Dr. Jay Lees, 9:00-9:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIA - (class in Honors Cottage)

680:021:06   Humanities I with Dr. Jay Lees, 10:00-10:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIA - (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description: This course surveys the development of Western Civilization from the ancient Hebrews to the beginning of the Renaissance in 1300.  We will survey the history and sample the literature of the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and finally of the various medieval European states.  The honors section will be conducted on the basis of active class participation.  Student presentations on a variety of subjects and discussions of issues and texts will augment formal lectures by the professor.  Also, each student will have at least one individual tutorial with the professor.

Professor Biography: The course is taught by Jay T. Lees of the history department. His specialty is medieval Germany . Lees teaches classes on English, German, and medieval history, as well as specialized courses on women in the Middle Ages, the Crusades, and Shakespeare as a historian. He is also one of the directors of the University of Northern Iowa Summer Study Abroad Program in Krakow Poland , where he teaches a course on the Holocaust, and the director of the UNI Sumer Study Abroad Program in Perugia , Italy , where he teaches a course on Sacred Space. Lees is a recipient of the University of Northern Iowa Class of 1949 Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as a two-time recipient of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Award for Outstanding Teaching, and a recipient of an Apple Polishers Award from the Student Alumni Ambassadors.

680:022:11   Humanities II with Dr. James Robinson, 2:00-2:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIA - (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description: In this course, we study the great ideas that shaped Western civilization from the Renaissance and Reformation through most of the 18 th century, the Age of Reason (aka “the Enlightenment”). When dealing with the historical material, I emphasize those elements of the past most influential in shaping the present. These include the rise of capitalism, of science and of nationalism. Above all, we learn that events have causes and actions have consequences.

The class centers on both discussion and written material. The instructor strongly believes that student work should contribute to the development of the class as a whole. As a consequence, a good portion of the written assignments will be shared with fellow students via the Mailserv system. Students will be expected on occasion to come to class with a list of “talking points” that they intend to contribute to the discussion.

Texts we are using include: Spielvogel, Western Civilization , Vol. B; Shakespeare, Henry V; Machiavelli, The Prince ; Pope, Essay on Man ; Descartes, Meditations

Professor Biography: Though my scholarly background is in Asian religion, I have taught the Humanities sequence for over twenty years. I have long been interested in history and have reflected on whether or not there are certain patterns in the unfolding of human affairs. I have become convinced that history is about people and so the dynamics of history are the dynamics of the human psyche: love, fear, the quest for identity and above all, the quest for power.

680:121:03   Russia/Soviet Union with Dr. Kenneth Basom, 1:00-1:50 MWF

**Fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IIB – (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the rich and diverse cultures of Russia and the former Soviet Union . History and literature will be our primary windows into this culture because they have been crucial to Russian ideas of what it means to be Russian. We will also take music, film, geography, religion, the graphic arts and politics into consideration. The course will highlight the continuing conflict between Western influence and Russian distinctiveness. The influence of the many non-Russian cultures incorporated at various times into the Russian state will also be examined. We will read one of the most popular novels from the late soviet period, which happens to have been written by a non-Russian. There are many and diverse sources of Russian culture. Class discussion of films and readings will be an important part of the course. We may also take advantage of events on the UNI campus that are related to Russian culture (such as plays, films, lectures, and musical performances).

Professor Biography: I grew up near Washington , D.C. , and I guess that helps account for my chosen career as a professor of political science. The politics of other countries has long fascinated me. I have spent much of my career studying the politics of Eastern Europe and the former Yugoslavia . Nationalism and democratization have been two of my main areas of research. Through my research I have come to appreciate the importance of culture not only for politics but for all aspects of life. I do some of the old fashioned lecture format in my classes, but I try to keep it informal and jazz it up by impersonating various historical or imaginary characters. I enjoy using excerpts of films and sometimes entire films in my classes. I am increasingly relying on class discussions in my courses to allow students the opportunity to reflect on course material and try out ideas.

800:072:07   Introduction to Statistical Methods with Dr. Marius Somedi, 12:00-12:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IC

Course Description:  The Honors Introductory Statistics course covers traditional topics in statistics including descriptive statistics, elements of probability, and inferential statistics (point and interval estimation and tests of hypotheses). Students will learn critical statistical thinking. The statistical software package Minitab will be used to illustrate different techniques studied in the course. Emphasis will be on real world applications of pertinent statistical methods and ideas.

Professor Biography:  Dr. Marius Somodi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at UNI.  Originally from Romania , he has been in the United States since 1997. He earned a PhD in Mathematics (2001) and a Master's of Applied Statistics (2002) from Louisiana State University . His research interests are in number theory. At UNI he has taught a wide spectrum of mathematics and statistics courses.

870:010:06   Astronomy with Dr. Siobahn Morgan, 2:00-2:50 MWF + 8:00-9:50 W eve

**Fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IVB (including lab)

Course Description: Astronomy is the most ancient of sciences, and is used to help answer questions that range from the simple (why does the Moon change from night to night) to the abstract (if our Universe is expanding, what is it expanding into). Students will be exposed to the basic physical principles of astronomy, learn how to use the tools of astronomers, and gain a greater familiarity with the night sky.

Students in the honors section of the course will have the opportunity to discuss the latest discoveries in the field, and work on a variety of projects. Due to the rather unpredictable nature of the night sky, observations could include anything from the measurement of stellar brightnesses, mapping out the features on the Moon, hunting for supernovae or following the development of a comet.

Professor Biography: Dr. Morgan hails from Minnesota , and after getting her BS in Astrophysics, and MS and PhD in Astronomy, she finally got around to getting her first drivers license. She has been at UNI since 1991, and has taught all courses in astronomy that are available. When she isn't teaching astronomy, Dr Morgan is working on various projects, such as computer models of stellar pulsation, and evolution, as well as creating new web-based learning modules. She is also an avid fan of “Doctor Who”, has a vast comic book collection, watches more television than she should, and rides her bike, but not as much as she should.

942:147:02   Law and the Courts with Dr. C. Scott Peters, 1:00-1:50 MWF

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category VB

Course Description: When political scientists study the courts, we usually focus on appellate courts like the U.S. Supreme Court, whose pronouncements of law often influence public policy on a large scale. But every day in this country people walk into trial courts in an attempt to settle disputes about what the law requires of them or whether their legal rights were violated by another. These decisions make policy on a micro-level by bringing the power of the state to bear on whom the law favors or disfavors. These decisions also spark political controversy about who should have access to the courts and how the courts should be used. Over the past 30 years, for example, there has been much debate about personal injury law and medical malpractice law, and many efforts have been made to limit such lawsuits. Similarly, we see vigorous political debate over the use of courts to enforce criminal laws. Just within the past couple of decades, we've seen much debate about police use of force, sentencing issues, racial profiling, and the death penalty.

This course examines these issues and more. It first examines the nature of the American judicial system by exploring various sources of law and studying the role of the courts within our constitutional system. We will then investigate the various actors in the legal system—lawyers, judges, and litigants—with an eye toward explaining their importance within and influence upon the system. The course then turns toward examination of how these components of the legal system operate to settle both criminal and civil conflicts. The honors course will be conducted in seminar style with an assortment of classic and contemporary readings from social science research about the trial courts. There will be minimal lecturing and considerable student-led discussion.

Upon successful completion of the class, students shall demonstrate:

•  An understanding of the sources of American law and the role of law and the legal system within the U.S. political system.

•  Knowledge of the structure of basic processes in federal and state trial courts, and the roles played by the major actors in the system.

•  An ability to analyze and evaluate political arguments surrounding access to and the use of courts.

•  An ability to analyze and evaluate current debates on public policy relating to courts, including tort reform and medical malpractice, alternative dispute resolution, sentencing, and the death penalty.

•  An ability to analyze and evaluate the costs and benefits of litigation, especially as compared to other approaches to resolving disputes.

Professor Biography: Professor Peters arrived at UNI in Fall 2003, after holding teaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville . He received his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1998 from the University of Kentucky , where his thesis investigated the ability of interest groups to influence the U.S. Supreme Court's attention to issues. His primary research interests revolve around looking into the ways in which courts and the public interact. Recently this research has focused on a variety of issues related to judicial elections in the states, especially the influence on judicial campaigns of state canons of judicial ethics which restrict the messages of candidates during elections. He teaches the Political Science Department's courses relating to the law, including this course, Law and Politics (which focuses on appellate courts as political decision-makers), Constitutional Law, and Civil Rights & Liberties.

990:010:02   Human Origins with Dr. Tyler O'Brien, 11:00-12:15 TTh

**Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Category IVA

Course Description: Anthropology is the study of the human bio-cultural experience. This course is presented as an introduction to two sub-fields of anthropology: Physical anthropology, as the study of the biological variation of past and present human populations within an evolutionary framework; and Archaeology, as the study of the cultural past and the reconstruction of past cultural systems. In order to understand the evolution of our species in a temporal perspective and as an ongoing process, as well as to explore the relationships between biological and cultural evolution . In this course we will focus on trying to answer questions like: Who are we? Where did we come from? And where are we going? This is not a philosophy course, however, and the theories and concepts presented in this class are based on scientific evidence. We will look at patterns of biological variation, levels of adaptation, health and disease and how they transform the body and the world we live in, non-human primates, and how they help us understand our ancestral past, human origins, how archaeology contributes to discovering much of this information and a number of other very intriguing topics.

Professor Biography : Dr. O'Brien is a broadly trained anthropologist whose focus is in the field of physical anthropology. His research interests lie within the areas of human skeletal biology, forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. Currently he is conducting research on archaeological samples of human crania from Bolivia and Argentina that display signs of being intentionally and artificially deformed. His teaching style has been described as dynamic and energetic. Students have commented on how lectures are informative, engaging and how they enjoy his experiential anecdotes. As an honors course, O'Brien and discussions of the course material will make you think more critically of your role as another biological organism evolving in this world.

Honors Seminars and Electives

010:196:17   Seminar: Skin Deep with Dr. Peter Berendzen, 2:00-3:15, TTh

**3 credit hour seminar – Requires sophomore standing

Course Description: Skin is the largest organ of the human body. Its primary function is to guard and protect underlying muscles and organs. However, skin is so much more. It is fundamental to our biology and key in our sensory experiences, information gathering and relationships with others. Skin reflects our age, emotion, ancestry, cultural identity and state of overall health. This seminar will take a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the biological and cultural aspects of human skin. The seminar will be centered on the book Skin, a Natural History by Nina G. Joblonski. Topics that will be explored include: biology of skin; evolution of human skin: biology and sociology of the color of skin; touch; skin and emotions; aging and disease of skin; skin and identity; skin decoration and modification.

The format of the seminar will be discussion based and student driven. Student will be arranged into groups. Each week students will be required to a read chapter from the book and one group will present and lead a discussion on the topic. Groups will be responsible for summarizing the information in the chapter and gathering outside information to clarify points and enhance the discussion. The group will be required to develop a series of questions or points to facilitate the discussion. The group will also be responsible for turning in a one-page summary of their presentation. Throughout the course experts will be brought in to speak about various topics and help facilitate discussions. Grades will be based on presentations, summaries and class participation. Students will also complete peer reviews on the presentations. These reviews will be used to help determine the grade for each presentation.

Professor Biography: Dr. Berendzen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. He specializes in the study of the evolutionary relationships, speciation, and biogeography of freshwater fishes. Major themes of his research are examining phylogeographic patterns and diversification of North American and East African freshwater fishes, utilizing both molecular and morphological approaches. He has done field work throughout North America and Ethiopia and regularly travels to Russia to work with colleagues.

010:196:18   Seminar: Information, Marketing, Propaganda, and Politics with Dr. Dennis Clayson, 3:00-4:50, W

**2 credit hour seminar – Requires sophomore standing – (class in Honors Cottage)

Course Description: Politics and marketing have become almost synonymous. Some have suggested that the most thoroughly marketed product in the United States is a presidential candidate. The seminar will investigate the nature of modern marketing, exchange and information theory, and the creation and reach of propaganda. The seminar will be useful to anyone interested in journalism, business, promotion, psychology, and politics. We will follow the Presidential, Senate, and House races as they occur, applying principles to actual cases. Along with classroom activities, the participants will visit a company specializing in web communications, an advertising agency, and a newspaper newsroom or local TV newsroom. In addition, the campaign managers of Senators Harkin and Grassley will be asked to address the class.

Note: The seminar is designed to investigate the marketing of politics, not to promote any political or philosophical viewpoint.

Professor Biography: Dennis Clayson is a professor of marketing with degrees in both physics and psychology. In addition to teaching at UNI, Dr. Clayson is an active consultant in the area of marketing and business research for local, regional, and national firms for the last 20 years. He has published articles in marketing, management, psychological, sociological and medical journals including the Lancet. He has written a book about fishing for trout in Iowa , writes a weekly column for the Waterloo Courier, and is the sometimes editor of The Witch Doctor's Gazette.

010:197:01   Honors Thesis with Jessica Moon, arranged

The Honors Thesis is the final step towards earning a University Honors designation from the University of Northern Iowa . The thesis gives Honors students the opportunity to explore a scholarly area of interest with the guidance of a faculty member. It is intended to serve as the culmination of the Honors experience.

The thesis provides you with experience in research as well as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. While the process may at times be challenging, it will also be rewarding. You will enhance your knowledge of the chosen topic and further develop your research or creative skills. The final product should leave you with a sense of pride and accomplishment for what you have attained.

Completion of the thesis is a two semester process. Most will register for 1 credit of 010:197 to begin the process in the fall and 2 credits of 010:197 to complete their work in the spring (talk with Jessica if your situation requires a different split of hours). Those wishing to register for Honors Thesis must meet with Jessica to discuss course requirements and have their registration holds removed. Call Brenda at 3-3175 to make an appointment.

010:198:01   Honors Independent Study with Jessica Moon, arranged

The purpose of independent study is to provide students with an opportunity to participate in an educational experience beyond what is typically offered in the classroom. Students must be prepared to exercise a great deal of independent initiative in pursuing such studies. Honors students may receive independent study credit for research projects of their own or those shared with faculty members, certain internship opportunities, or some types of work or volunteer experiences.

Students wishing to register for Honors Independent Study must meet with Jessica to discuss course requirements and have their registration holds removed. Call Brenda at 3-3175 to make an appointment.