Honors 198 Section 1

First-year Honors Leadership Program

Mondays 10:10 11:00am

Professor and Dean Facilitator

Course Overview:
The goals of Honors 198 are to provide a successful transition for students from high school to college;
introduce them to critical thinking around current events at home and abroad; and begin the process of
network building. Honors 198 is a 1-credit P/F course that provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary
introduction to the life of a scholar and the fundamentals of the liberal arts and sciences experience in the
Honors College and at Washington State University. Through the lens of leadership, students will discuss
topics and experience events that vary from intellectual to practical. This course will introduce students
to outstanding faculty on campus, as well as respected professionals in industry. They will also learn of
the many opportunities and resources available to students at WSU. Students will explore the campus as
well as scholarly disciplines while bonding as a learning community through small group activities and
group discussions. The Honors Leadership Program will help students make a smoother transition to
collegiate life as well as develop leadership early on.

Seminar Objectives:
To assist first year students in making a successful transition to the university.
To enhance students integration into WSUs academic community.
To learn about the various opportunities an Honors education can offer and how to enrich their
college experience:
o develop communication skills necessary for academic growth and professional careers
o develop relationships with faculty, peers, advisors and librarians
o encourage self-reflection in the learning process
o and be knowledgeable about resources available for academic and personal success
Develop a sense of community within the Honors College
Explore in depth a topic of interest using the resources offered by the university as well as
discussions based on current news.
Participants will undergo hands-on group activities that explore inter-group and intra-group
interactions and will explore issues such as communication within teams and group dynamics.
Students will engage in leadership activities, service learning, while recognizing the diversity and
globalization we face in our daily life.
Learn to develop time management skills.
Strengthen personal values as well as learn to accept diverse values and perspectives.
Offer incoming students a vision of what is available through the university, the Honors College,
and opportunities for their future (scholarships, internships, research, education abroad, etc.)
Course Requirements:

Attendance: Attendance to weekly classes and three presentations/lectures on campus are required.
Excessive absences (3 or more) will result in not passing the class. Talk to your facilitators ahead of time
if you will miss a class.

Participation: Participation in all aspects of the class is mandatory. You are expected to be actively
engaged in class and to contribute meaningfully to discussions.

Journal: A personal journal with entries that summarize your learning throughout the course will be
required and submitted to facilitators at regular intervals. Additionally, a personal portion will be included
to update the facilitator on the status of the student..

Oral presentation: Balloon Race Challenge. Imagine that you are in a hot-air balloon that is rapidly
losing height. The only way to avoid a collision with the ground is to throw out one of the passengers.
The goal is to make a convincing case for why you should NOT be thrown out of the balloon. Rather than
be yourself you will select a leader (could be from the field of politics, business, science, sport,
entertainment, etc.) and you will make a 5-minute presentation in class, using Powerpoint slides, on why
your leader must be saved. So, think about the contributions that your chosen leader has made, how the
world might be worse off if that leader was thrown out of the balloon, the impact that your leader has had
in the lives of ordinary people, etc. You can choose a current leader or one from history. Your facilitator
can help you if needed.

Required/recommended readings (as assigned):

Academic Integrity: You are expected to uphold the WSU standard of conduct for academic integrity
(http://www.academicintegrity.wsu.edu/ ). You assume full responsibility for the content and the
integrity of the academic work you submit. A violation may result in failing the course.

Honors College Learning Goals:

Communication: You will practice both written and oral communication skills through written
assignments, discussions and presentations.

Information Literacy: You will gain introductory knowledge on how to use various databases and
resources.

Self in Society: You will develop an appreciation and understanding of how to most effectively interact
with others of similar and diverse cultures, values, and perspectives through active participation in class,
group activities and projects.

Critical and Creative Thinking: Through reflective writing and a personal journal, you will develop
critical and creative thinking skills.

Students with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented
disability. Please visit the ACCESS Center during the first two weeks of class to obtain information or to
qualify for accommodations. Call 335-3417 to make an appointment. For more information go to:
https://accesscenter.wsu.edu/

Safety: Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University and
are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the Alert,
Assess, Act protocol for all types of emergencies and the Run, Hide, Fight
 (https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cirg/active-shooter-and-mass-casualty-incidents/run-hide-fight-video)
response for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency
notification), ASSESS your specific situation, and ACT in the most appropriate way to assure your own
safety (and the safety of others if you are able).

Please sign-up for emergency alerts on your account at MyWSU.

Honors 198 Course Outline

Date Topic Due

August 21 Introduction to Syllabus, Course Dean Norton and Joanne

August 28 Personality types Journal 1

September 4 Labor Day N/A

September 11 Jim Akers Journal 2

September 18 Personality Group Project and TED talk Journal 3

September 25 Anne Buck - U.S. Customs and Excise Service Journal 4

October 2 Cassa Hanon - Director, Products and Engineering at Apptio Journal 5

October 9 Entrepreneurship Journal 6

October 16 Lindsey Elhart - Boeing Journal 7

October 23 Undergraduate Academic Course Plan Journal 8

October 30 Around the World Group Challenge Journal 9

November 6 Academic Leadership Journal 10

November 13 Ethics Journal 11

November 20 Thanksgiving Break N/A

November 27 Balloon Race

December 4 Balloon Race

Note: syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of course facilitators.