Honors
Overview
Designed specifically for academically accomplished students or those with the potential for high academic achievement, CRC's Honors program provides enhanced General Education study opportunities supporting intellectual growth, scholarly relationships with peers, and faculty-student engagement beyond that generally associated with lower-division undergraduate programs. Honors Program participation supports enhanced transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities including UCLA, in whose Transfer Alliance Partnership CRC is a member. Honors Program students receive enhanced access to career and academic advising as well as enhanced opportunities for scholarship, including the opportunity to pursue their own original research.
- Program Coordinator Rick Schubert
- Phone (916) 691-7494
- Email SchubeR@crc.losrios.edu
Certificate of Achievement
Honors Certificate
Honors students who complete 15 units or more in approved Honors coursework will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle students to enhanced transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities. Completion of the certificate with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better offers enhanced prospects for transfer to elite four-year institutions and enables students to participate in CRC’s Transfer Alliance Program partnership with UCLA. A maximum of 6 units of approved Honors coursework completed at other colleges may be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement. The units from a maximum of one 400's level STEM course can be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement. A minimum of 9 units of CRC honors-designated courses must be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement. Interested students should contact their counselor, the Honors Program Coordinator, or the Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning. Honors students should meet regularly with an Honors faculty advisor to ensure completion of Honors Scholar requirements in a timely fashion. Courses that qualify as part of the program are listed below.
Catalog Date: January 1, 2025
Certificate Requirements
Course Code | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
A minimum of 15 units from the following: | 151 | |
HONOR 340 | Honors Seminar: Political Campaign Communication (3) | |
or COMM 480 | Honors Seminar: Political Campaign Communication (3) | |
HONOR 341 | Honors Seminar: Persuasion within Social Issues (3) | |
or COMM 482 | Honors Seminar: Persuasion within Social Issues (3) | |
HONOR 350 | Honors Seminar: Introduction to Critical Theory (3) | |
or FMS 488 | Honors Seminar: Introduction to Critical Theory (3) | |
HONOR 363 | Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness (3) | |
or PHIL 486 | Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness (3) | |
HONOR 364 | Honors Seminar: Philosophy of the Martial Arts (3) | |
or PHIL 485 | Honors Seminar: Philosophy of the Martial Arts (3) | |
HONOR 366 | Recent United States History - Honors (3) | |
or HIST 485 | Recent United States History - Honors (3) | |
HONOR 367 | Introduction to Government: United States – Honors (3) | |
or POLS 481 | Introduction to Government: United States - Honors (3) | |
HONOR 368 | International Political Economy - Honors (3) | |
or POLS 482 | International Political Economy - Honors (3) | |
HONOR 375 | Honors College Composition (3) | |
or ENGWR 480 | Honors College Composition (3) | |
HONOR 378 | Honors - Literature Adapted into Film (3) | |
or ENGLT 488 | Honors - Literature Adapted into Film (3) | |
HONOR 385 | Honors Seminar in Genetics (3) | |
or BIOL 485 | Honors Seminar in Genetics (3) | |
HONOR 391 | Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Introduction to Mathematical Proof (1) | |
or MATH 483 | Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Introduction to Mathematical Proof (1) | |
HONOR 392 | Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Topics in Number Theory (1) | |
or MATH 484 | Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Topics in Number Theory (1) | |
HONOR 393 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors (4) | |
or STAT 480 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors (4) | |
All 400-level STEM courses: BIOL, CISD, CISP, CISW, CHEM, ENGR, MATH, PHYS. | ||
Total Units: | 15 |
1A maximum of 6 units of approved Honors coursework completed at other colleges may be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement. A minimum of 9 units of CRC honors-designated courses must be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement. The units from a maximum of one 400's level STEM course can be applied towards satisfaction of the 15 unit requirement.
Enrollment Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:
- HONORS PATHWAY ONE: Students who have completed at least 12 transfer-level college units are eligible if they have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are eligible for, or have successfully completed, ENGWR 300. If you are taking HONORS PATHWAY ONE, please attach a copy of your transcript to the Honors Program General Application available immediately below. (The Honors Program General Application and your attached transcript are your completed application.)
- HONORS PATHWAY TWO: Students who have completed less than 12 transfer-level college units are eligible if they have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and at least one of the following: a grade of B or better in AP-preparatory Honors English or a grade of B or better in AP English or a score of 4 or 5 on the AP English Exam.
- HONORS PATHWAY THREE (CHALLENGE PATHWAY): Any student is eligible for the Honors Program if they submit a successful Honors Program Challenge Application, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Honors Admissions Committee their interest, motivation, preparation and potential for Honors Program study.
Enrollment Process
Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Students must establish eligibility for the Honors Program by successfully completing the Honors Program Application Process found on the CRC website.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (P-SLO1-Effective Communication)
- UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS (P-SLO2-Critical Habits of Mind)
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY (P-SLO3-Relevant Knowledge)
- RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS (P-SLO4-Social Responsibility).
- ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE’S OWN LIFE (P-SLO5-Cultural Understanding, Social Justice, and Equity)
Career Information
This certificate supports enhanced transfer opportunities. Career opportunities are those available to transfer students. Many of the relevant career opportunities will require study beyond this certificate.
Honors (HONOR) Courses
HONOR 340 Honors Seminar: Political Campaign Communication
- Same As:COMM 480
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D7; IGETC Area 4G
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
What do pundits, politicians and the public have in common? The ability to impact political campaign communication. This seminar-style course will introduce students to the effects of political campaign communication on public opinion and election results. Using timely data, students will evaluate news media, debate presidential debates,
and analyze campaign messages using qualitative and quantitative approaches. This course is intended for the honors student interested in learning about political communication, rhetorical criticism, and techniques for writing for academic audiences. Enrollment is limited to
Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as COMM 480, and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #1).
- Express ideas clearly and completely in a variety of written formats.
- Utilize correct and appropriate conventions of mechanics, usage, and style in written communication.
- Comprehend main ideas and reasonably interpret written information.
- Compose and apply properly documented sources of information.
- UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS (SLO #2).
- Contrast historical campaign communication with contemporary examples.
- Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative theoretical approaches in research of political communication.
- Analyze the critical process by differentiating between "maxims" that guide critical invention.
- Compare and contrast different rhetorical approaches. Analyze contemporary pieces of rhetorical criticism and consider applications for current political messages.
- Analyze reasoning processes to evaluate issues, value judgments or conclusions that determine the quality, validity, and/or reliability of information.
- Construct an accurate and/or logical interpretation of reasoning while applying a framework of analytic concepts.
- Explain the importance of the study of political campaign communication in the broader picture of society.
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY (SLO #3).
- Apply information and resources necessary to develop academically and personally.
- Utilize skills from one’s “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc.
- RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS (SLO #4).
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in ethical reasoning necessary to exercise responsibility as an ethical individual, professional, local and global citizen.
- ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE’S OWN LIFE (SLO #5). This includes the ability to:
- Collect and critically evaluate media messages. Focusing on news mediums (e.g. television, radio, newspapers, the Internet), assess the role of the media and its impact on campaign communication.
- Contrast and assess the effectiveness of candidate messages. Construct rhetorical visions expressed in the campaign communication of presidential (and possibly other) candidates.
- Debate the presidential debates. Analyze the presidential candidates' positions on political issues and performance effectiveness.
- Assess voter reaction to the political debates and other forms of campaign communication. Select common themes communicated in focus groups research as a way to interpret public opinion.
- Design and construct a critical paper evaluating some aspect of political campaign communication.
- Consider the implications of writing for an academic audience.
HONOR 341 Honors Seminar: Persuasion within Social Issues
- Same As:COMM 482
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ENGWR 300, ENGWR 480, or HONOR 375 with a grade of "C" or better, or placement through the assessment process.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC Transfer Credit Limitation: HONOR 341 and COMM 482 combined: maximum credit, 1 course)
- General Education:CSU Area A3; IGETC Area 1B
- C-ID:C-ID COMM 190
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This seminar-style course will introduce students to the fundamental theories and techniques of persuasion as they occur in various communication contexts, including commercial, interpersonal, public and mass media. A series of writing assignments will focus on the skills of critical thinking, persuasion, and the sophistication of argumentative essay skills. Essays of advanced composition shall be evaluated for their quality in both critical thinking and composition. The writing assignments will apply theoretical models of critical thinking and communication studies to rhetoric, examining message production, analyzing messages, and exploring the fields of electronic and print media, advertising (product campaign), political campaign strategy, and ideological campaign techniques for mass communication. Students explore ethical considerations of persuasive communication, learn about types of reasoning, and identify fallacious arguments as they occur in persuasion. Students will focus on the design and organization of persuasive messages within a speech format for an individual or group presentations for a live audience. This course offers honors students the opportunity to study, critique, discuss and present advanced topics to focus on the impact of persuasive attempts within ethical, social and political issues. Access to a computer with online capabilities may be required and computer access is available on campus. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. As COMM 315, Persuasion, has a similar basis as this Honors course, this course is not open to a student that has received credit for COMM 315, Persuasion. This course is the same as COMM 482 and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- COMPOSE IDEAS CLEARLY IN EFFECTIVE, APPROPRIATE AND WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #1).
- Use advanced lower-division composition techniques that address essay structure, continuity, emphasis and subtlety, elements of style, grammar as stylistic technique, audience, and persuasive essay writing.
- Apply the advanced use of clarity (agent-action-goal) and coherence (concentration, focus, maintenance, clear orientation and subject control), concision and emphasis to develop writing skills appropriate for a sophisticated style of English.
- Compose arguments cogently in a number of modes, including but not limited to making proposals, providing evaluation, and explanation of positions and the existence of causal and/or correlation relationships.
- Design and organize persuasive messages within a speech format for an individual or group presentations for a live audience.
- ANALYZE AND FORMULATE CRITICAL THINKING WITHIN THE EVIDENCE AND REASONING OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #2).
- Identify, review, and utilize methods of persuasion for messages designed within a specific content issue or arena, such as a series of public service announcements for a social issue (such as anti-drug messages, or environmental green issues, or human civil rights, etc.), and/or political campaign or public office speeches, and other website or multimedia presentations.
- Understand the nature of critical thinking and quality composition.
- Apply the theoretical foundations for argument analysis, persuasion and essay construction of induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis, sound reasoning, and fallacy identification within the readings and writing of persuasive communication messages.
- Analyze and respond to competing points of views to determine the stances of the authors on the subjects as well to express individual stances logically and effectively.
- ASSESS INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN ONE'S ABILITY TO INFLUENCE ETHICAL, EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION AMONG DIVERSE SETTINGS AND PEOPLE (SLO #3).
- Employ critical thinking and writing skills in reflection about multi-cultural diversity issues, ethics, and politics in terms of the effectiveness and appropriateness of persuasive communication.
- DEFINE AND IDENTIFY VARIOUS THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ACROSS THE DISCIPLINE OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES (SLO #4).
- Analyze persuasive messages, including identifying and explaining the persuasive components or strategies used to effect change.
- Identify persuasive strategies and their theoretical foundations as they exist in a variety of communication contexts (e.g., interpersonal compliance-gaining, commercial advertising, political rhetoric and campaigning, public speaking, mass media, etc.).
- Differentiate between humanistic and social science approaches to persuasion.
- Determine and evaluate criteria for the development of successful persuasive campaigns, focusing on a specific set of message designs in a specified content, such as a series of public service announcements in multimedia presentation, website information, published and/or transcribed speeches, and/or publication of printed materials.
- Define and identify various theoretical perspectives across the discipline of Communication Studies within written and verbal messages prepared to present analysis of persuasive techniques and strategies to the other students participating in an Honors seminar-style format.
HONOR 350 Honors Seminar: Introduction to Critical Theory
- Same As:FMS 488
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog and on the College's website.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C2; IGETC Area 3B
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course investigates questions of interpretation and representation in film, literature, media, and culture. Students examine historical and contemporary critical and cultural theories, then apply these theories in analyzing a variety of works, which may include films, literary texts, commercials, music videos, and more. Theories introduced include, but are not limited to, semiotics, psychoanalysis, Marxism, critical race theory, gender theory, and postmodernism. Students intending to transfer into arts, film, literature, humanities, and cultural studies programs will find this course particularly useful in understanding the critical language of the university. As an honors course, this is a seminar with advanced teaching methods focusing on complex theories, major writing, reading, and research assignments, in-depth film analysis, student class lectures, group discussions and interactions. Distinguishing features include a deep focus on research, analysis, application, strong communication, and critical thinking. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found at the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as FMS 488, and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #1). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Express ideas clearly and completely in a variety of written formats.
- Utilize correct and appropriate conventions of mechanics, usage, style, and citation format in written communication.
- Research and incorporate sources effectively and meaningfully in writing.
- Summarize, paraphrase, and directly quote outside sources as support for ideas and/or represent a belief held by the opposition.
- UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS (SLO #2). This includes the ability to:
- Construct an accurate and/or logical interpretation of reasoning while applying a framework of analytic concepts.
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY TO HONE ACADEMIC LITERACY SKILLS (SLO #3). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Identify premises, both explicitly and implicitly stated.
- Distinguish among facts, inferences, assumptions, and implications.
- Compare opposing interpretations by scholars.
- Recognize fallacious reasoning, including but not limited to the standard critical thinking fallacies, in various critical interpretations of works (including the students' own interpretations) and respond to (and correct, if necessary) these fallacies.
- RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS (SLO #4). This includes the ability to:
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in ethical reasoning necessary to exercise responsibility as an ethical individual, professional, local and global citizen.
- ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE’S OWN LIFE (SLO #5). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Understand, evaluate, and apply critical theory, theory's relationship to art and culture, its role in interpreting literary and visual arts, and examining ideology and representations of gender and ethnicity.
- Apply critical theory to the analysis and criticism of film, literature, and media.
- Understand, evaluate, and apply the basic concepts of the critical theories taught in this course and their relationship to/influence on art and politics.
HONOR 352 Honors Seminar: The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
- Same As:FMS 489
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area I
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This seminar studies the work of Alfred Hitchcock from the perspective of the key concepts in film theory. Students will investigate the films and criticism of one of the greatest and strangest directors, the self-styled master of suspense. This seminar takes a close reading of Hitchcock’s
most important films and the most significant writing on the director’s work. For students interested in film, media, art, literature, and the humanities, the course examines Hitchcock’s visual style, thematic concerns, and directorial techniques, and introduces the major critical
approaches to cinema studies. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as FMS 489, and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #1, College Wide SLO – Area 1, and General Education SLO C5a – English Composition). This includes the ability to:
- Express ideas clearly and completely in a variety of written formats.
- Utilize correct and appropriate conventions of mechanics, usage, and style in written communication.
- Comprehend main ideas and reasonably interpret written information.
- Compose and apply properly documented sources of information.
- UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS (SLO #2; College Wide SLO Area 3). This includes the ability to:
- Construct an accurate and/or logical interpretation of reasoning while applying a framework of analytic concepts.
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY (SLO #3, College Wide SLO – Area 4). This includes the ability to:
- Apply information and resources necessary to develop academically and personally.
- Utilize skills from one’s “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc.
- ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE’S OWN LIFE (SLO #4, College Wide SLO – Area 2). This includes the ability to:
- Identify the stylistic, narrative, and thematic concerns in the director's work.
- Understand Hitchcock's contribution to the cinematic language (pure cinema, point of view, montage, mise-en-scene) and genre (the melodrama and the thriller).
- Read, understand, evaluate, and compare the key critical appraisals of the director by Modelski, Wood, Spoto, Truffaut and others.
- Apply critical theory (auteur, feminist, psychoanalytic, semiotic) in the analysis of the films and their cultural implications.
- Participate in the seminar mode of learning, including seminar discussion and presentation of a creative and original paper of critical value to the study of Hitchcock.
HONOR 363 Honors Seminar in Critical Thinking and Composition: Philosophy of Happiness
- Same As:PHIL 486
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ENGWR 300 (College Composition), ENGWR 480 (Honors College Composition), or HONOR 375 (Honors College Composition) with a grade of "C" or better, or the equivalent.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the CRC Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as PHIL 486, and only one may be taken for credit.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area A3; CSU Area C2; IGETC Area 1B; IGETC Area 3B
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This seminar-style course provides instruction in critical thinking and advanced composition while addressing philosophical issues concerning the existence, nature, and attainment of happiness from a diversity of cultural perspectives. This course is designed for students who have successfully completed ENGWR 300 (or its equivalent) and provides further instruction in the techniques of effective critical thinking as expressed in written argument and in the major principles of advanced composition. A sequence of essays totaling a minimum of 8,000 words is required. These essays shall be evaluated for their quality in both critical thinking and composition. This honors course offers rigorous preparation in analytic reading and writing skills for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. It provides opportunity to engage philosophical issues about the existence, nature, and attainment of happiness through a structured sequence of papers requiring higher-level thinking tasks and collaborative projects. As an honors course, this is a full hands-on course with advanced teaching methods focusing on extensive research of selected philosophical theory and its analytic application. This is a seminar course requiring students to create sophisticated academic products, complete major writing, reading, and research assignments, make presentations, and engage in extensive group discussions. Distinguishing features include: deep focus on research, analysis, application, strong communication and complex critical thinking. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the CRC Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as PHIL 486, and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: Demonstrate understanding of philosophical issues concerning the existence, nature, and attainment of happiness from a diversity of cultural perspectives.
- SLO 2: Compose argumentative essays concerning the philosophy of happiness, which demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of language to logic; to analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas, to reason inductively and deductively, and to identify the assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend.
- Distinguish fact from judgment, knowledge from belief, truth from falsehood.
- Use elementary inductive and deductive processes.
- Recognize common logical errors or fallacies of language and thought.
- SLO 3: Write effective abstracts and responses, stance/position papers, proposals, evaluations and analyses of cause concerning the philosophy of happiness in which they demonstrate an understanding of the diction and structural differences between the Upper, Middle and Lower styles in English, and demonstrate an ability to determine which of these styles is appropriate to the tone, purpose and audience of their essay.
- Demonstrate an ability to use the advanced principles of clarity (agent-action-goal) and coherence (concatenation, focus maintenance, clear orientation and subject control), concision and emphasis to develop more sophisticated writing skills appropriate to upper-division college essays.
- Demonstrate a highly-developed ability to use the thoughts, facts, and experiences of other to support their own assertions effectively and to cite those thoughts, facts and experiences when appropriate to the Upper Middle Style.
- Demonstrate the ability to limit the topic appropriately to a scope that can be developed appropriately in the length of the composition • demonstrate an ability to select examples, details, data and other evidence to support a thesis.
- Demonstrate (in taking stances or criticizing the arguments of others) an ability to rephrase written argument accurately, producing a faithful distillation of the central meaning of the text or the writer’s ostensible intention.
- Demonstrate a clear awareness of the specific audience of the essay and of any special limitations or opportunities imposed or provided by the rhetorical situation, and demonstrate an ability to respond to those limitations and opportunities appropriately by adjusting the arguments and the language of the essay appropriately.
- SLO 4: Read analytically and evaluate ideas concerning the philosophy of happiness in focused class discussion and in written techniques, read competing points of view of concerning the philosophy of happiness and determine their own stance on the subject and be able to express that stance logically and effectively, demonstrating an ability to identify and state the main idea, thesis or unifying theme in expository or argumentative discourse; to point out instances of inferential reasoning and deductive and inductive logic.
- Distinguish between opinion, judgment and what may be taken as a fact, and describe an appropriate process of verification in establishing whether an utterance is factual or not.
- Recognize and articulate assumptions (including unstated assumptions) in an argument.
- Draw and justify inferences made about the intention of the writer and point out logical fallacies or slanted or propagandist use of language.
- SLO 5: Demonstrate in writing about the philosophy of happiness more sophisticated structure, coherence and emphasis; demonstrate their understanding of the elements of style, with particular emphasis placed on the role of grammar as an element of style.
- Demonstrate an understanding of some of the principles of classical rhetoric and of the Upper Middle Style found in most American journals-of-record.
- Demonstrate an understanding of opposing viewpoints on issues and develop their own stances on those issues.
- Demonstrate an ability to argue cogently in a number of modes, including but not limited to making proposals, making evaluations and positing the existence of causal relationships.
- SLO 6: Demonstrate the ability to engage in upper-division work in the discipline of Philosophy.
- SLO 7: Demonstrate the ability to navigate a seminar environment.
HONOR 364 Honors Seminar: Philosophy of the Martial Arts
- Same As:PHIL 485
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog and on the CRC website.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (Reaffirmed 08/01/2023.)
- General Education:AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C2; IGETC Area 3B
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course provides an introduction to the philosophical views that have traditionally been associated with the practice of martial arts and explores the interplay between those views and that practice. It also provides an introduction to those contemporary philosophical issues that arise in the context of present day analytic philosophical reflection on the nature and practice of martial arts. The course thus provides both the opportunity to appreciate the eastern philosophical underpinnings of an activity that has become part of mainstream American Culture and the opportunity to experience the rigorous application of contemporary analytic academic philosophical methodology. As an honors course, this is a full hands-on course with advanced teaching methods focusing on extensive research of selected philosophical theory and its analytic application to the nature and practice of martial arts. This is a seminar course requiring students to create sophisticated academic products, complete major writing, reading, and research assignments, make presentations, and engage in extensive group discussions. Distinguishing features include: deep focus on research, analysis, application, strong communication and complex critical thinking. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as PHIL 485 and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Employ the general and transferable critical thinking and communication abilities developed by the rigorous study of academic philosophy (SLO 1).
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in upper-division work in the discipline of Philosophy.
- Apply the basic methodology of contemporary analytic philosophy (e.g. assess, critique, deduce, evaluate, research, support, justify, analyze, debate, defend, detect, distinguish, examine, etc.) to understand traditional Asian, as well as contemporary American, martial arts.
- Recognize and explain the fundamental ethical, metaphysical, and epistemological tenets of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism (SLO 2).
- Describe and explain the influence of the fundamental ethical, metaphysical, and epistemological tenets of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism on the traditional study of (Asian) martial arts.
- Demonstrate the ability to navigate a seminar environment (SLO 3).
HONOR 366 Recent United States History - Honors
- Same As:HIST 485
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to students that are eligible for the Cosumnes River College Honors Program.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); CSU Area C2; CSU Area D; CSU Area U1; IGETC Area 3B; IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introduction to the study of American history from 1945 to the present day. It is an honors course that uses an intensive instructional methodology designed to challenge motivated students and cultivate advanced critical thinking skills. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role played by complex interrelationships of political, economic, social, and cultural forces in United States history after World War II, and the role played by multiple ethnic groups as well. This course is not open to students who have completed HIST 314. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as HIST 485 and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- ANALYZE REASONING PROCESSES TO EVALUATE ISSUES, VALUE JUDGMENTS, OR CONCLUSIONS THAT DETERMINE THE QUALITY, VALIDITY, AND /OR RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION (SLO #1).
- Construct an accurate and/or logical interpretation of reasoning while applying a framework of analytic concepts through written assignments.
- Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of a major discipline of study through oral presentations and class discussions.
- Explain the importance of historical consciousness of the major discipline of study in understanding the broader picture of society through a final project.
- APPLY COMPLEX CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS TO READ AND WRITE EFFECTIVELY AS SELF-RELIANT, EVALUATIVE READERS AND WRITERS (SLO #2).
- Express ideas clearly and completely in a variety of written formats.
- Utilize correct and appropriate conventions of mechanics, usage, and style in written communication.
- Comprehend main ideas and reasonably interpret written information in the form of primary documents.
- Compose and apply properly documented sources of information.
- DEFINE AND IDENTIFY VARIOUS THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ACROSS THE DISCIPLINE OF HISTORY THROUGH READING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES (SLO #3).
- Generate significant open-ended questions about United States history, and critically analyze primary and secondary sources to construct historical arguments and perspectives that inform one’s own life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness between United States history and global history to foster active citizenship as well as applying historical knowledge and historical thinking to contemporary issues.
- Identify, explain, and evaluate the major historical forces in United States history since 1945.
- Evaluate and analyze diverse experiences and perspectives in United States history through an examination of conflicting narratives and power imbalances.
HONOR 367 Introduction to Government: United States – Honors
- Same As:POLS 481
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); CSU Area D; CSU Area U2; CSU Area U3; IGETC Area 4
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 110
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course analyzes the U.S. government's historic origins, philosophical and theoretical justification, constitutional structures and how these institutions work. It examines and describes the procedural aspects of the political system including holding elections, campaigning, voting, lobbying, legislating, executing and adjudicating law. It provides an analysis of contemporary problems and issues. It further examines California state and local governments' constitutional base, structures and functions, political process, problems, and issues.
The honors course offers rigorous preparation in critical thinking, and analytic reading and writing skills for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. It provides an opportunity to engage contemporary political and social issues through small group discussion, a structured sequence of papers requiring higher-level thinking tasks, and collaborative projects. Research projects require extensive analysis of topics such as American institutions, political processes, and political behavior. Paper requirements are designed to challenge and motivate.
This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 301. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website.
This course is the same as Pols 481. This course, under either name, may be taken only one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE STUDY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS.
- Describe the nature of government and its theoretical foundations and functions.
- Relate American political thought, the Constitution, and governing institutions to one another.
- Identify and explain the structures and functions of the United States and California governments prescribed by their respective constitutions.
- Compare and contrast the federal, state and local governments with respect to their political foundations, functions, and contemporary problems.
- Explain the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals as articulated in the United States Constitution and federal court decisions.
- Identify and evaluate political processes within the United States and California, including the development of political ideologies, voting behavior and other forms of political participation.
- SLO 2: ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY AND CRITICAL THINKING BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY IN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
- Analyze complex readings and processes as they apply to contemporary issues in American Politics.
- Illustrate and appraise the relationship between national, state, and local governments and evaluate the effectiveness of the federal system.
- Discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
- SLO 3: RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS.
- Hypothesize the conditions under which various political outcomes are likely to occur and provide theoretical explanations for said outcomes.
- SLO 4: ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF THE VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE'S OWN LIFE.
- Evaluate and explain how the American system affects the student's life in terms of freedoms, restraints, and public policy.
- Analyze the role of culture, diversity, and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
- SLO 5: EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES
- Express ideas competently, using appropriate grammar, in a variety of written formats.
HONOR 368 International Political Economy - Honors
- Same As:POLS 482
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is designed to introduce students to the major theories, institutions, and issues in international political economy. International political economy examines the interaction between politics and economics on a global scale; in particular, how political forces influence markets, and how market forces influence politics. In this course of study, students will examine the major theoretical perspectives on political economy, such as mercantilism, liberalism, structuralism, and statism. Students are then introduced to the major components of the international economy: multilateral trade, domestic trade policy, international finance, and currency policy. Last, this course focuses on several major issues in international political economy. Examples might include the gap between the developed and developing world, the globalized economy, the role of transnational corporations, and the political economies of oil, migration, food, or the environment.
The honors course offers rigorous preparation in critical thinking, and analytic reading and writing skills for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. It provides an opportunity to engage contemporary political, economic, and social issues through small group discussion, a structured sequence of papers requiring higher-level thinking tasks, and collaborative projects. Research projects require extensive analysis of topics such as economic institutions, economic policy processes, market behavior, and state responses. Paper requirements are designed to challenge and motivate.
This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 311. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as Pols 482. This course, under either name, may be taken only one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS.
- Compare and contrast the major theoretical approaches to international political economy, including but not limited to mercantilism/neo-mercantilism, liberalism/neo-liberalism, rational choice theory and structuralist critiques.
- Define the basic concepts of international trade and finance, including but not limited to tariff barriers, advantages, factor endowments, the balance of payments, currency policy, and macro-economic policy.
- Relate how various states approach the international political economy from various positions of strength and weakness.
- Compare the preferences of political and economic actors for different trade and finance policies.
- Explain the impact of globalization on the relative economies of the world system.
- Assess the impact of the international political economy on issues such as peace, stability, sovereignty, integration, solvency, resource development, poverty, and ecological sustainability.
- SLO 2: ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY AND CRITICAL THINKING BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY.
- Analyze complex readings and processes as they apply to contemporary issues in International Political Economy.
- Illustrate and appraise the relationship between sovereign states and international and transnational organizations.
- Discuss and analyze contemporary political and economic issues in the United States and in the global system.
- SLO 3: RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS.
- Hypothesize the conditions under which various political and economic outcomes are likely to occur and provide theoretical explanations for said outcomes.
- Examine the impact of policy choices on citizens and communities.
- SLO 4: ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF THE VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE'S OWN LIFE.
- Evaluate and explain how the international political economy affects the student's life in terms of freedom, choices, resources, the environment, and international standing.
- Analyze the role of culture, diversity, and ideology in shaping global approaches to trade, finance and international cooperation.
- SLO 5: EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES.
- Express ideas competently, using appropriate grammar, in a variety of written formats.
HONOR 375 Honors College Composition
- Same As:ENGWR 480
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:ENGWR 110 or eligibility for ENGWR 300
- Enrollment Limitation:Eligibility for the Honors Program.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(a); CSU Area A2; IGETC Area 1A
- C-ID:C-ID ENGL 100
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course offers the honors student a challenging course that will develop skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing. It asks students to critically analyze, compare, and evaluate various complex works. The course is designed to help students demonstrate, in both argumentative and expository prose, complex critical thinking, effective organization, precise diction, and sophisticated style; at least one of those essays requires research and appropriate MLA documentation. Essays written during the term will total at least 8,000 words. Throughout the course, fluency and correctness are emphasized. This course is not open to students who have successfully passed ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340. This course is the same as ENGWR 480. This course, under either name, may be taken one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- COMPOSE CAREFULLY REASONED AND STYLISTICALLY SOPHISTICATED COLLEGE-LEVEL ESSAYS USING A VARIETY OF RHETORICAL STRATEGIES AND APPLYING APPROPRIATE CITATIONS AND FORMATTING STANDARDS (SLO #1).
- Use pre-writing, drafting, revision, and editing/proofreading to create essays.
- Write focused, thoughtful thesis statements.
- Support opinions in writing through careful, critical thinking.
- Compose stylistically sophisticated essays using a variety of approaches, such as comparison/contrast, classification, definition, narration, description, causal analysis.
- Construct a carefully reasoned argument in writing that considers audience and opposition.
- Build coherence and unity in writing at three levels: sentence, paragraph, and essay.
- Organize written texts logically and creatively without dependence on formulaic prescriptions.
- APPLY COMPLEX CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS BY DEFINING ISSUES AS WELL AS RESEARCHING, EVALUATING, AND SYNTHESIZING SOURCES TO SUPPORT A THESIS (SLO #2).
- Appraise and use a variety of research techniques.
- Evaluate sources.
- Research and incorporate sources effectively and meaningfully in writing.
- Summarize, paraphrase, and directly quote outside sources as support for ideas and/or represent a belief held by the opposition.
- Use MLA documentation format correctly.
- CRITICALLY ANALYZE, COMPARE, AND EVALUATE VARIOUS COMPLEX WORKS (SLO #3).
- Annotate and analyze complex written texts and respond thoughtfully to them.
- Analyze and evaluate the 3-fold rhetorical concerns of audience, writer, and message in written texts.
- Question an author's claim and support.
- Critique own and other student writing.
- APPLY THE CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD WRITTEN ENGLISH EMPLOYING A VARIETY OF SENTENCE STRUCTURES AND COLLEGE-LEVEL DICTION (SLO #4).
- Use clear and varied sentences to demonstrate overall mastery of the conventions of standard written English.
- Analyze own and other student style and diction.
HONOR 378 Honors - Literature Adapted into Film
- Same As:ENGLT 488
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Eligibility for ENGWR 300
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (Reaffirmed 08/01/2023.)
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; CSU Area C2; IGETC Area 3A; IGETC Area 3B
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course analyzes the process, challenges, failures, and successes of adapting literary and stage material into film. It compares faithful and unfaithful adaptations through reading the original texts and viewing the adapted films with an awareness of their historical and cultural contexts. The course examines intention, creative distinctions, as well as limits and strengths of each medium. This course requires at least one research essay proposing and justifying details for an adaptation and including appropriate MLA documentation. The honors course is a full hands-on course with advanced teaching methods focusing on analytical reading, film analysis, and writing skills; it provides opportunity to engage with contemporary social and ethical issues through small group discussion, collaborative projects requiring higher-level thinking tasks as well as independent and collaborative research. Students are tasked to not only analyze and critique but also create an adaptation. Distinguishing features include: deep focus on research, analysis, application, strong communication and critical thinking. Enrollment in this course is limited to Honors Program students. This course is the same as ENGLT 488. This course, under either name, may be taken one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- CRITICALLY ANALYZE, COMPARE, AND EVALUATE VARIOUS WORKS OF LITERATURE AND FILM (SLO #1). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Annotate and analyze written texts and respond thoughtfully to them.
- Analyze and summarize films and respond thoughtfully to them.
- Determine themes, plot structure, characters, and symbols used in written works and films.
- Question a director’s intention and effectiveness of the director’s choices.
- Compare and contrast elements of adaptations (such as theme for example) to the corresponding elements in the original texts.
- Construct criteria for judging strengths and weaknesses of adaptations.
- Appraise the successes and failures of adaptations.
- Assess the effects of historical and/or social context for each work studied.
- Critique one's own and other student writing.
- APPLY COMPLEX CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS TO READ AND WRITE EFFECTIVELY AS SELF-RELIANT, EVALUATIVE READERS AND WRITERS (SLO #2). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Demonstrate awareness of the effects of literature on the reader through textual analysis, classroom discussion, and response papers.
- Apply terminology from literary studies.
- Analyze and interpret elements of literature.
- Appraise the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the genres of fiction, non-fiction, and drama.
- Evaluate literary texts in cultural context, as cultural and artistic expressions in their historical and social background.
- Compose interpretive essays based on the literature.
- Propose a plan of adapting a literary work into film and justify the choices made in this proposal.
- ANALYZE, CRITIQUE, AND EXPRESS IDEAS EFFECTIVELY AS SELF-RELIANT, EVALUATIVE VIEWERS OF FILMS BY APPLYING COMPLEX CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS (SLO #3). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Apply terminology from film studies and critical theories.
- Analyze and interpret elements of film.
- Appraise the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the genres of film.
- Evaluate films based on concepts such as narrative modes, genre conventions, and production exigencies.
- Evaluate films in cultural context, as cultural and artistic expressions in their historical and social background.
- Compose interpretive essays based on the films.
- ASSESS ISSUES AS WELL AS RESEARCH, EVALUATE, AND SYNTHESIZE SOURCES TO SUPPORT A THESIS BY APPLYING COMPLEX CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS (SLO #4). Outcome may be evaluated by all or some of the following criteria:
- Evaluate and justify the choices made in a proposed adaptation of a literary work.
- Integrate details from research to support own choices made in the proposed adaptation.
- Appraise and use a variety of research techniques.
- Evaluate sources.
- Research and incorporate sources effectively and meaningfully in writing.
- Summarize, paraphrase, and directly quote outside sources as support for ideas and/or represent a belief held by the opposition.
- Use MLA documentation format correctly.
HONOR 385 Honors Seminar in Genetics
- Same As:BIOL 485
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B2; IGETC Area 5B
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course offers honors students the opportunity to study, critique, and discuss advanced topics in genetics such as genetically modified foods, whole-genome rapid sequencing, gene therapies for human disease, and a variety of reproductive technologies. Furthermore, this course includes the study of Mendelian inheritance, the roles of chromosomes and genes in human disease, how genes direct development, the relationship between genes, environment and behavior, and the contribution of genes to human diversity. Students will engage with each other to discuss ethical, legal and social issues during class discussions, and analyze scientific literature in written reports. Enrollment is limited to Honors students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as BIOL 485. This course, under either name, may be taken a total of one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: SOLVE GENETICS PROBLEMS BY APPLYING PRINCIPLES OF INHERITANCE.
- Solve genetics problems by applying Mendelian principles to single and two gene problems with and without dominance.
- Solve genetics problems involving sex linkage.
- SLO 2: INTEGRATE MOLECULAR GENETICS AND CELL BIOLOGY TO EXPLAIN THE BASIS OF HUMAN GENETIC TRAITS.
- Relate the functions of cellular organelles to specific human genetic disorders.
- Describe the structure and functions of DNA, RNA and proteins.
- Relate DNA, RNA and proteins to the development of human characteristics.
- Examine the interaction between genes and the environment.
- Use relevant genetic concepts to assess the contribution of genetic variation and environmental variation to variation in human phenotypes.
- SLO 3: RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GENE THERAPY, GENETIC ENGINEERING, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ON HUMAN HEALTH.
- Describe the role of genes in human diseases (like cancer).
- Communicate how advances in recombinant DNA technology and biotechnology (e.g. gene therapy and genetic engineering) can be used to treat genetic diseases in humans, and modify other organisms for human use.
- Understand how modern DNA sequencing and genome databases are being used to change medical practices and better human health.
- SLO 4: GATHER RELEVANT INFORMATION AND USE IT TO EVALUATE THE SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY OF INFORMATION PRESENTED BY THE MEDIA AND OTHER SOURCES.
- Distinguish between scientific hypotheses, inferences, and speculation.
- Identify and analyze the scientific basis of modern genetic technologies.
- Review current scientific literature, and evaluate the effectiveness of the research.
- Present written and/or oral reports which address background information, procedures, results, and interpretation of data from scientific literature.
- Examine current ethical and social issues in human genetics.
HONOR 386 Biological Anthropology-Honors
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website.
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B2
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introduction to the science of biological anthropology, and analyzes the human place in nature. Applying principles of genetics and evolution, this course will explore modern human variation and how we evolved, including the unique role of culture. The course also covers the classification and distribution of living and extinct human populations, how we determine the geological age of our ancestors, and our relationship to non-human primates such as monkeys and apes. Topics covered in this course include: the scientific method, principles and mechanisms of genetics and heredity, geological dating methods, classification of humans and our near relatives, social organization and behavior of living primates, comparative skeletal anatomy of humans and non-human primates. Local field trips may be required.
This honors course offers rigorous preparation in critical thinking, and analytic reading and writing skills for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. It provides an opportunity to engage contemporary biological and anthropological issues through small group discussion, a structured sequence of papers and reading analysis requiring higher-level thinking tasks, and collaborative projects. Research projects require extensive analysis of topics such as ethics in biological anthropology, fossil hominin taxonomy placement and primate conservation. Paper requirements are designed to challenge and motivate. This course is not open to students who have completed ANTH 300. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as ANTH 480. This course, under either name (ANTH 480 or HONOR 386), may be taken only one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- APPLY GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND GENERAL SCIENCE AS IT RELATES TO BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY.(SLO 1)
- Describe the steps of scientific inquiry, including the formulation of scientific hypotheses and research design.
- Describe the history of evolutionary thought and the mechanisms of evolution.
- Define basic cellular and DNA components and functions.
- Articulate concepts of transmission genetics (Mendelian inheritance) and solve problems using Punnett squares and pedigrees.
- Explain how human physical variation is a result of both biology and adaptation to environmental conditions.
- DESCRIBE THE CLASSIFICATION OF NON-HUMAN AND HUMAN PRIMATES IN A TAXONOMIC RELATIONSHIP FOCUSING ON THEIR EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS AND SHARED BEHAVIOR.(SLO 2)
- Recognize and identify key features of primate classification, including defining physical characteristics of different taxonomic groups.
- Discuss the classification of primates to illustrate evolutionary history.
- Compare and contrast non-human primate and human behavior in areas such as conflict, cooperation, mating strategies and mate selection, feeding ecology, and use of the environment, utilizing socio-biological principles.
- Compare and contrast anatomical features and structures of non-human primates and their relationship to behavior and environmental adaptation.
- HYPOTHESIZE ABOUT A TRAJECTORY OF HUMAN EVOLUTION BASED ON KEY FOSSIL FINDS.(SLO 3)
- Summarize types of scientific dating methods and their applications to fossils.
- Construct a probable phylogeny for extinct hominids including evolutionary descent.
- Evaluate current evidence of hominid fossils, genetic data and artifacts for their validity to understanding human evolution.
- Recognize problems when evaluating fossil evidence.
- DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN UPPER-DIVISION WORK IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ANTHROPOLOGY.(SLO 4)
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY AND CRITICAL THINKING BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY.(SLO 5)
- Analyze and discuss complex historical and contemporary readings in the fields of genetics, ethnology, bioethics and the study of human evolution.
- Evaluate current scientific data to argue and defend placement of fossil hominins in a taxonomy.
- Critically appraise the role of anthropologists in the area of eugenics, study of race and bioethics and trace the evolution of the discipline.
HONOR 387 Biological Anthropology Laboratory-Honors
- Units:1
- Hours:54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:ANTH 300, ANTH 480, or HONOR 386
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introductory laboratory course designed to provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with the methods of the science of biological anthropology while investigating topics in laboratory and field situations. Topics covered in the course are: the scientific method, sources of biological variation and forces of evolution, human osteology (bone identification), human variation, taxonomy and comparative osteology of the primates, comparative behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. A field trip to the local zoo may be included. This course is designed as a companion course to Anthropology 300 - Biological Anthropology, Anthropology 480-Honors Biological Anthropology or Honors 386-Honors Biological Anthropology.
This honors course offers rigorous preparation in critical thinking, and analytic reading and writing skills for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. It provides an opportunity to engage contemporary biological and anthropological issues through small group discussion, debates and activities, reading analysis requiring higher-level thinking tasks, and collaborative projects. This course will also provide in depth opportunities for students to complete extensive hands-on study of pertinent fossil material. This course is not open to students who have already completed ANTH 301 or ANTH 482. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the front of the Catalog and on the CRC website. This course is the same as ANTH 482. This course, under either name (ANTH 482 or HONOR 387), may be taken only one time for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- ARTICULATE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND GENERAL SCIENCE AS THEY RELATE TO PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY.(SLO 1)
- Identify the steps of scientific inquiry and formulate basic scientific hypotheses.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of Mendelian and population genetics by solving Punnett squares and pedigrees.
- Define basic cellular and DNA components and functions.
- Explore the mechanisms of evolution.
- DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF OSTEOLOGY, ANALYZE MEASUREMENTS OF BONES AND APPLY FORENSIC TECHNIQUES. (SLO 2)
- Identify bones and significant features of bones of the human skeleton.
- Perform measurements to describe age and sex related variability in skeletal remains.
- Analyze skeletal remains to determine probable cause of death and life history events.
- DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF PRIMATES AND HUMANS IN A TAXONOMIC RELATIONSHIP, THEIR EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS AND SHARED BEHAVIOR.(SLO 3)
- Recognize characteristics of living primates that are useful for identification and interpretation of non-human primate and human fossils.
- Compare and contrast skeletons of prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans to elucidate patterns of locomotion and dietary adaptation
- Compare and contrast behaviors of living primates as they relate to environmental adaptation
- UNDERSTAND A TRAJECTORY OF HUMAN EVOLUTION BASED ON KEY FOSSIL FINDS.(SLO 4)
- Identify significant anthropoid, hominoid, and hominid fossils.
- Evaluate alternative interpretations of fossil evidence.
- Recognize specific characteristics used to differentiate hominid fossil species and how they relate to patterns of adaptation and evolution of the species.
- Analyze the material cultural adaptations (artifacts) and the roles they have played in human evolution.
- Describe the biological and behavioral adaptations of the genus Homo.
- DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN UPPER-DIVISION WORK IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ANTHROPOLOGY.(SLO 5)
- ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY AND CRITICAL THINKING BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY LABORATORY.(SLO 6)
- Evaluate current scientific data to argue and defend placement of fossil hominins in a taxonomy.
HONOR 391 Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Introduction to Mathematical Proof
- Same As:MATH 483
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:MATH 370 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
Honors Seminars in Mathematics are special one-unit intensive courses for academically accomplished students or those with the potential for high academic achievement. This particular course will study various methods of mathematical proof in a seminar setting, and will be particularly useful to students planning to study calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. Topics include: deductive reasoning, proof by axioms, proofs of conditional and biconditional statements, proofs by contrapositive and contradiction, and proof by mathematical induction. Studies will include homework, discussions, oral presentations and lectures. Students will be expected to do independent problem solving and present their solutions to the class. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students (see catalog). This course is the same as MATH 483. This course, under either name, may be taken one time for credit. This course will be offered in spring semester only.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: EXAMINE METHODS OF PROOF
- Prove statements using axioms
- Prove statements using deductive reasoning
- Prove conditional statements
- Prove biconditional statements
- Prove statements using the contrapositive
- Prove statements using contradiction
- Prove statements using mathematical induction
HONOR 392 Honors Seminar in Mathematics - Topics in Number Theory
- Same As:MATH 484
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:MATH 370 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
Honors Seminars in Mathematics are special one-unit intensive courses for academically accomplished students or those with the potential for high academic achievement. This particular course will study various topics in the field of number theory in a seminar setting. Topics include: the integers and their properties; finding integer solutions to Diophantine equations (equations with more variables than equations); and cryptography (the study of how secret codes are created and broken). Studies will include homework, discussions, oral presentations and lectures. Students will be expected to do independent problem solving and present their solutions to the class. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students (see catalog). This course is the same as HONOR 392. This course, under either name, may be taken one time for credit. This course will be offered in spring semester only.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: EXAMINE THE PROPERTIES OF THE INTEGERS
- Examine divisibility
- Examine prime numbers
- Calculate the greatest common divisor
- Examine the fundamental theorem of arithmetic
- Prove theorems involving the integers
- SLO 2: EXAMINE DIOPHANTINE EQUATIONS
- Examine the Euclidean algorithm
- Solve linear Diophantine equations
- Prove theorems involving Diophantine equations
- SLO 3: EXAMINE LINEAR CONGRUENCES
- Examine modular arithmetic
- Examine the properties of congruences
- Solve congruence equations
- Prove theorems involving linear congruences
- SLO 4: EXAMINE CRYPTOLOGY
- Examine the theory of cryptology
- Examine encoding messages
- Examine decoding messages
- Prove theorems involving cryptology
HONOR 393 Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors
- Same As:STAT 480
- Units:4
- Hours:72 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Intermediate Algebra or the high school equivalent (such as Math 3 or Integrated Math 3) or higher with a C or better, or eligibility for transfer-level mathematics.
- Enrollment Limitation:Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(b); CSU Area B4; IGETC Area 2
- C-ID:C-ID MATH 110
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introduction to probability and statistics designed for students in the honors program. Topics include elementary principles and applications of descriptive statistics, counting principles, elementary probability principles, probability distributions, estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing, linear regression and correlation, and ANOVA. Scientific calculators with two-variable statistical capabilities may be required for this class. This honors section uses an intensive instructional methodology designed to challenge motivated students. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students. Details about the Honors Program can be found in the Cosumnes River College Catalog. This course is not open to students who have successfully passed STAT 300. This course is the same as STAT 480 and only one may be taken for credit.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO 1: ORGANIZE, DISPLAY, DESCRIBE AND COMPARE REAL DATA SETS.
- Recognize data types and data sources: develop basic statistical terminology including population parameters & sample statistics; identify common sampling methods used for obtaining data and identify advantages & disadvantages of each; recognize bias in sampling; compare principles of good experimental design
- Organize and display data appropriately by preparing tables and graphs.
- Analyze data by computing measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, and measures of position.
- Analyze bivariate data for linear trends using the least-squares regression model and the correlation coefficient.
- SLO 2: DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PROBABILITY MODELS APPROPRIATE TO DIFFERENT CHANCE EVENTS AND CALCULATE PROBABILITY ACCORDING TO THESE METHODS.
- Compute probabilities using sample spaces, the addition & multiplication rules, conditional probability, and complements.
- Develop and apply probability distributions for discrete random variables; compute probabilities and expected value.
- Analyze both discrete and continuous probability distributions by considering areas under the graph of a function or a histogram.
- Use the normal and binomial probability distributions to compute probabilities.
- Develop and apply sampling distributions for the sample mean and sample proportion.
- SLO 3: APPLY INFERENTIAL STATISTICAL METHODS TO MAKE PREDICTIONS, DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT HYPOTHESES AND COMPARE POPULATIONS.
- Create and interpret confidence interval estimates for population mean and population proportion based on appropriate probability models.
- Select the appropriate hypothesis test, perform the necessary computations and comparisons to test hypotheses about on one population mean or one population proportion and explain the conclusion of the test.
- Create and interpret confidence interval estimates for the difference in two population means (independent and dependent sampling) or two population proportions.
- Select the appropriate hypothesis test, perform the necessary computations and comparisons to test hypotheses about two-population means (independent & dependent sampling), more than two population means (ANOVA), and two or more population proportions (Chi-Sq. tests) and explain the conclusion of the test.
- Test significance of correlation and make predictions based on linear trends using the least-squares regression model.
- SLO 4: USE TECHNOLOGY TO PERFORM STATISTICAL COMPUTATIONS, PREDICTIONS AND HYPOTHESIS TESTS.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to organize and graphically display data.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to calculate single-variable and two-variable statistics.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to compute probabilities for discrete and continuous random variables, including binomial random variables and normally distributed random variables.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to graph bivariate data, compute the correlation coefficient and linear regressions equation.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to construct confidence intervals for population parameters and the difference between parameters.
- Use statistical software or graphing calculator to conduct hypothesis tests by generating the P-value.
- SLO 5: USE APPROPRIATE STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES TO ANALYZE AND INTERPRET APPLICATIONS OF DATA.
- Analyze the use of qualitative and quantitative data as it relates to business, economics, social sciences, psychology, life science, health science and education.
- Use appropriate statistical techniques to address applications in a variety of disciplines including business, economics, social sciences, psychology, life science, health science, and education.
- SLO 6 (HONORS PROGRAM SLO 1): EXPRESSION OF IDEAS: EXPRESS IDEAS CLEARLY IN WELL-ORGANIZED WRITTEN MESSAGES (SLO #1, College Wide SLO – Area 1, and General Education SLO C5a – English Composition).
- Express ideas clearly and completely in a variety of written formats.
- Utilize correct and appropriate conventions of mechanics, usage, and style in written communication.
- Comprehend main ideas and reasonably interpret written information.
- Compose and apply properly documented sources of information.
- SLO 7 (HONORS PROGRAM SLO 2): ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING: UTILIZE MODES OF ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING IN A DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AS APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND/OR PROBLEMS (SLO #2; College Wide SLO Area 3).
- Analyze reasoning processes to evaluate issues, value judgments or conclusions that determine the quality, validity, and/or reliability of information.
- Construct an accurate and/or logical interpretation of reasoning while applying a framework of analytic concepts.
- Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of a major discipline of study.
- Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
- SLO 8 (HONORS PROGRAM SLO 3): INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY: ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY BEYOND THAT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PASS A COURSE OF STUDY (SLO #3, College Wide SLO – Area 4).
- Apply information and resources necessary to develop academically and personally.
- Utilize skills from one’s “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc.
- SLO 9 (HONORS PROGRAM SLO 4): ETHICAL REASONING: RECOGNIZE THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF DECISIONS AND ACTIONS (SLO #4, College Wide SLO – Area 5).
- Demonstrate the ability to engage in ethical reasoning necessary to exercise responsibility as an ethical individual, professional, local and global citizen.
- SLO 10 (HONORS PROGRAM SLO 5): ARTICULATE AN AWARENESS OF A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES WITHIN A DISCIPLINE AND THE RELEVANCE OF THESE PERSPECTIVES TO ONE’S OWN LIFE (SLO #5, College Wide SLO – Area 2).
HONOR 499 Experimental Offering in Honors
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.