Honors Classes

This Honors section will be exploring the theme "Relationships and how they affect us." As Collette Dowling explains, "A relationship is like a dance, it has an energy all its own, but sometimes relationships are the dance of death." We will first write an essay on this theme as a narrative, then later as a comparison/contrast paper, and finally as an argument. Additionally, we will see a play, about which students will write a critical analysis and give class presentations.

This course will cover all basic forms of academic, professional, and creative writing, highlighting the basic tools and strategies of argumentation and narration. This course focuses chiefly on improving the basic clarity and general effectiveness of writing, while also functioning as a low-intensity writing workshop. Students will observe one debate and one creative writing performance (i.e. a reading, film, or play) and will complete argumentation presentation and a creative writing portfolio.

This course will address the social, political, and economic history of the United States from the peopling of the Americas until 1877. There will be a local history focus, including Tennessee and Memphis history components. The Honors components of the course will include a researched class presentation, added discussions, and a visit to Elmwood Cemetery.

Students will be exposed to types of musical activities in Memphis that they may not know about otherwise. We will also do at least one class project where we experience a performance of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra together. Students will be expected to have extra initiative, and there will be ample opportunities for independent study.

This Honors section will explore the music of England, focusing on the 20th century composer, Benjamin Britten. The highlight of the semester will be to attend a performance of Britten's "War Requiem" in honor of the anniversary of the composer's 100th birthday on Sunday afternoon, 3 November, at the Cannon Center in downtown Memphis.

Students will be exploring cultural, political and historical accounts of events and occurrences in American Government. In this Honors class, students will examine American government in a combination of ways: through field trips and observations, journals, and debates. Students will make class presentations, as well as participate in creating a project.

This course introduces the student to the social aspects of psychology as a behavioral science. Studies include personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy, intelligence, social and development psychology, and applied psychology. The course will examine the impact of behavioral and social scientific research on major contemporary issues and the discipline’s effect on individuals and society. Outside of classroom experiences will involve exploring comparing, and evaluating local mental health services

This course emphasizes the continuity of development throughout the life span. It highlights the interrelationships among cognitive, physical and psychological development, emphasizing practical as well as theoretical concepts. As an Honors course, students will participate in an individualized project, taking the project form problem identification through research methodology, research method, results, and analysis. The product is compiled into a 6 page scientifically prepared report. Along with the paper, the students will make an oral presentation of their research to the class and/or to the participants of the Honors Academy.

This course introduces students to the field of sociology, its concepts, methods, findings, people, theories, and its relevance to their own lives. The goal of sociology as well as that of this course is to help us better understand society. This course is designed to enhance specific skills in critical thinking, diversity and global awareness. Because this course is an Honors course, a variety of interactive learning techniques will be used. In addition to lectures and exams, this course will require active participation on the class message board and class discussion, a 14 hour Service-Learning activity, and three essay assignments.