Honors Component Spotlight
Laura Notarangelo
Turning from Panic to Pesticides
Honors Component in SCI 211: Global Ecology
When I first figured out that I wanted to do an Honors Component in my Global Ecology class with Dr. Sarikas, I had no idea where to start. Emails were coming in every day reminding me to fill out the contract and turn it in, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet! I originally thought I would have to do something ordinary (and boring!), but luckily Dr. Sarikas had something else in mind. I loved his idea (read more about Laura).
In our Global Ecology class, we discuss environmental threats that face our world. In November, every student analyzed a product that contained pesticides. The pertinent information from each analysis is going to be organized and displayed on a poster to present at the Connected Learning Symposium on December 14th. I will not only act as the leader for the poster session, but I will also have creative control to make the display visually appealing to the audience, which is a fun idea for me.
In addition, I will write an analysis on the use of pesticides and other chemicals. This essay will also reflect on my experience as the project coordinator, the poster presentation, and my personal performance throughout the Component.
Amanda Wasowski
My First Assignment with the FBI
Honors Component in CJ 201: Criminology
My first Honors Component was probably the scariest one I had to do. Professor Carlson asked what I wanted to do in life. What I wanted to do? From this, my project evolved.
As the course progressed we learned about theories of criminology and the problems that plagued many law enforcement agencies throughout their early development. For my Component project, I would have the task of interviewing a female FBI Special Agent and turning the tables on her. I would be the investigator. She would be the investigated (read more about Amanda).
Using the theories we studied, I developed my interview questions. After the interview, I wrote a full report and made a formal presentation to the class.
I learned a lot from the Agent about being a female in a male’s world. However, I also discovered I wanted to be an FBI agent. I saw myself fulfilling that career because of the theories I learned and the knowledge I gained from this Component.
Gary Gay
(Calculus)2m + (Component)honors = Calculus 2
Honors Component in Math 206: Calculus
In Calculus I and II, Professor Malini Pillai expects a lot out of her students. She is one of the most involved and caring teachers I have ever known (read more about Gary).
For my Honors Component, I am required to do one extra question on all tests and quizzes. This tests our critical thinking to a deeper level. Next, Honors students are asked to complete two projects, a writing exercise and a poster to show in-depth knowledge of a given topic. Lastly we are asked to tutor one hour of math a week and keep a log to be turned in with a reflective essay.
Over all, the Honors Component in math has built my knowledge and made me a better teacher to my peers. It has also put a few extra dollars in my pocket. I now have a job tutoring mathematics which helps me better my understanding of math and builds my confidence.
Desiree Milner-McKay
Social Research and the Power of Poetry
Honors Component in Soc 214: Sociology of Families
For my Honors Component in Sociology of Families, I am researching Depo Provera, a method of birth control. I am learning about its development and the current controversies around the use of both Depo and Norplant (read more about Desiree).
I will be writing a paper about this and some of the side effects that people do not know about. Then I will be collecting birth control stories, talking to four women who have taken Depo Provera or another form of birth control. I will write poems about their stories to present to my class.
I decided to work on this project because I believe there is a lot of information that women do not know about the birth control they are taking. I am one of those women. What interests me about my Component is that it hits close to home. Combining research and poetry, it's not like any other assignment; this assignment can effect change.
So I apologize that I have my priorities straight
I apologize for wanting more for myself
I apologize for wanting to do better with my life
For wanting to get out of the ghetto
I apologize for wanting more than penny candies and 50 cent sodas but
The one thing I won’t apologize for
Is my drive to succeed and
To do that I must continue
To make sweet passionate love to my textbooks and thesis papers
Cuz this education ain’t free and
There is more than one person relying on me
- From “What Do I Have to Go Back To”
Desiree Milner-McKay
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 Dr. Stephanie Athey
Director, Honors Program
Director, Mexico Shoulder to Shoulder
Associate Professor of English
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