It's NOT Just a Comic Book!

Vol 3 No 6

Today!  Go to ComicCon and earn a point of Honors!  All you have to do is go and experience as much of ComicCon as you can, then write a 500 word reflective journal, then write a reflective essay at the end of the semester that draws from all the Honors events (or other learning experiences you have). 

For the journal, you just need to reflect on the experience you had.  You can look into and explore questions like these...

• · I am/was most excited to learn… I am/was most anxious about… 
• · The thing I am most curious or confused about is… 
• · My ideas about this event come from/are informed by… 
• · I hope to connect this to my academic/professional/personal life through… 
• · I’m interested in this topic because I want to find out… 
• · Probably the most compelling/disturbing/lingering question raised by this topic is…. 
• · Overall, the most meaningful/surprising thing I learned from this was… 
• · Identify and reflect on specific moments in which something significant occurred (a realization, an obstacle overcome, a setback encountered, etc.). 
• · What prior skills and experiences did you bring to the course/event which either helped or hindered your learning process or your participation? 
• · How did your initial preconceptions and expectations of the course or topic compare with what actually happened or what you learned? 
• · Describe your feelings and emotions about aspects of the course or event. When/about what did you feel most comfortable? Most uncomfortable? Why?

As you can see, these questions are designed to get you thinking about the event as a learning experience and as something that is worth exploring on a deeper level.  It also firmly places YOU in the event.  It challenges you to think a little bit about who you are and how you interact with the world around you.  These are the kinds of things that go through the minds of those who are passionate and curious about their learning, the world, and their place in it.

There is so much folded into the world of comics, superheros, and graphic novels that I think you just MIGHT be surprised by the depth and complexity they contain.  Go, explore, and then reflect...

If you want to earn that point of Honors, just contact me at trista.merrill@flcc.edu and I'll let you know what the prompt is for the reflective essay.  In the meantime, go forth and save the world!

For more information about ComicCon specifically - head over here.

Did you know?

Vol 2 No 18

Did you know?

This week's blog is just a few informational pieces that you might not know or might need to be reminded about.  Hope there is something here of interest!

• It is possible for you to claim that an event should be eligible for Honors Points based on what is going on during that event and how it ties to the values and mission of Honors. There’s a form – just ask!
• Not only is the Human Library an Honors Event for visitors, but you can also earn Honors Points by BEING a book. Is there something about you that is often misunderstood, little known, or misrepresented? Consider joining the Human Library as an actual book! Earn Honors points and spread the word about whatever you best represent! Follow this link to learn more: http://libguides.flcc.edu/human_library
• We have a dedicated Honors Librarian! April Broughton has blogged for us before, but if you’re new to Honors you might have missed it. It’s also a good reminder now that the semester is in full swing and those projects are being assigned and brainstormed. You can read her blog here – and her email is April.Broughton@flcc.edu.
• We have an Honors Convocation at the end of the semester (May 2nd) where we display the work of Honors Students through posters and an invitation for four students to present their research and writing. Keep this in mind as you move through your Honors course this semester. You can read about last semester’s Convocation here. 
• We also have a DINNER! This semester, the dinner will be held on April 4th at 5:00pm in Stage 14. This time around it’s a taco bar (with vegan options!) and new giveaways. We have T-shirts left from last semester’s dinner that we will be giving away as well as coloring books and a cool new item. Hope to see you there!
• You can declare yourself an Honors Studies major with nothing more than your name, your ID number, your signature, and my signature. This does not ‘lock’ you into getting Honors Studies Scholar status, it just allows the Honors Director to access your program evaluation and help you make choices to reach that status. If, in the end, you don’t earn the 15 points, there is no failure or penalty at all. Just use the Change of Degree or Advisor form available at the OneStop or online here.
• The Honors Studies website is changing! As the days and weeks unfold, you should start to see more information available on the FLCC Honors Studies website, located here. If you have any ideas about what else should be there, please let us know!
• You can send any questions, concerns, feedback, or ideas about Honors Studies to the Director simply by emailing to honorsstudies@flcc.edu or Trista.merrill@flcc.edu. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing how your Honors classes are going!

Let me know what you need or what's happening with you in Honors!  We hope that you can get as excited about Honors Studies as we do!  STAY TUNED FOR EXCITING NEWS NEXT WEEK!

Initiative Matters!

Vol 2. No. 17

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you an Honors Studies Event that spans the entire semester and will truly challenge and support you to be the best version of yourself you can be.  I'm talking about the Women's Initiative on Leadership, sponsored in part by Student Life.

If you choose to participate, you will enter into a place where "individuals gather together, share their stories, offer guidance, mentor" so that you "have a safe space to be able question and develop" and can "grasp an understanding of [your] full potential."

This event began in August 2013 and has grown in scope and impact ever since.  Those who organize it have realized that there is "an ever-growing need for more leadership development and opportunities for students on and off campus" and this blog is one of the many places where you'll see invitations for you to participate in this amazing opportunity.

The theme for Spring 2018 is Daring Greatly - which is also the title of the book by Brene Brown that is used within the program.  This book, and the program, focus on "how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead" and "the overarching hope [is] that those who complete the program learn what Brown emphasizes in her book:"

“Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement. Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection" (2)

We in Honors Studies cannot praise this program enough.  It has grown each year and the organizers are proud that "[c]ollectively since the inception of the program 5 years ago, over 450 women, men, transgender and middle school/early high school students have participated in one form or another" and they hope that you will become part of the next group who make this journey.

So, what does this have to do with Honors Studies?  Well, honestly, everything.  This program is centered on reflection, interdisciplinary explorations, learning spaces, and intellectual pursuit.  To that end, we are pleased to announce that the FLCC Women's Initiative on Leadership is a new Honors Studies event.  If you successfully complete the program, you will receive 3 points of Honors Studies. 

Interested?  Email Jennie.Erdle@flcc.edu for more information -OR- attend the information session on February 9th from 12:00 - 1:00 in Stage 14.