HONORS 130-002 SPRING, 2006

CONCEPTIONS OF THE SELF

WEEK OF TOPIC(S) READINGS

Unit 1 – Biological/Environmental Determinism, and Cognition

Jan 24, 26 Behaviorism and Environmental Determinism Walden 2, 1-5

Jan 31, 2 “ Walden 2, 6-23

Feb 7, 9 “ Walden 2, 23-36

Feb 14, 16 Human Nature: The Biological Approach A: 3-74

Feb 21, 23 The Role of the Brain and Cognition A: 75-159

Feb 28, 2 Consciousness A:173-250

Mar 1, 3 Freudian Psychoanalysis The Nye Handout

Mar 7, 9 The Neo-Freudians “

Mar 14, 16 Spring Break

Mar 21 Review for exam – no class

Mar 23 MID-TERM EXAMINATION

Unit 2 – The Self and Society

Mar 28, 30 Nisa – A study in ethnography Nisa 1-6

Apr 4, 6 “ Nisa 7-15

Apr 11, 13 Nisa and a Return to Nisa Return 1-139

Apr 18, 20 Return to Nisa Return 140-240

Apr 25 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY DUE TODAY

Unit 3 – The Self as Transcendent Reality

Apr 25, 27 East and West Campbell

May 2, 4 “ “

May 4 review for Final ANALYTICAL ESSAY DUE

May 16 FINAL EXAMINATION (7:30-10:15)

Texts: 1 Skinner, B. F. (1948) WALDEN TWO. New York: Macmillan

2. Ackerman, D (2004). AN ALCHEMY OF MIND. New York: Schribner

3. Shostak, M, (1981) NISA. New York: Vintage.

4. Shostak, M. (2000) RETURN TO NISA. Boston: Harvard

Purpose and Goals of Honors 130 – The Catalog describes this course as, “An examination drawing from the appropriate works in the social sciences, arts, and humanities, of different concepts of the self, characteristic of different cultures and historical eras.” It complements Honors 131 by introducing students to a variety of ways of studying and understanding the human condition. One of our goals is to look at ways different disciplines investigate and explain the Self. Another goal is to increase your self-awareness and help you think about YOURSELF in perhaps a different way. Because our classes are relatively small, we can proceed by means of intensive class and small group discussion to discuss our reading and writing. Our collective success depends upon individual contributions. Accordingly, you are required to attend regularly, to be prepared on time, and to actively participate in our 75 minute class meetings.

Course requirements:

1. regular attendance

2. active participation in class

3. periodic quizzes on reading material (please provide yourself with 3-5 cards)

4. These 3 items above count 20% of your grade

5. Midterm exam on 3/23. Please bring a bluebook to class (20%)

6. An analytical essay reflecting the three units studied this term (20%)

7. An autobiographical essay reflecting in part on your self-assessment in

8. A Final Exam on 5/16 (20%)

Honor System: All written assignments quizzes, and examinations must be done independently. Plagiarism is not tolerated, and Internet plagiarism is to be avoided.

Technology requirement: All students are to be familiar with word processing, bibliographic methods, referencing sources, and Internet research.

Grading: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F-0-59

Final day to drop this term = Feb 24, 2006. Last day to add = Feb 7, 2006

If you are a student with a disability and need academic accommodations, please

See me and contact the Disabilities Resource Center at 703-993-2471. All

Academic accommodations must be arranged through this office.