Natural History and Humanities
interdisciplinary studies in the natural world

    
                                                                               photo: Sarai Brinker 
science       literature       philosophy       art

November Announcements

The new NHH posters are in; plus, we still have a few of the old ones. If you'd like an NHH poster or two to adorn your walls and serve as inspirations for your travels outdoors, stop by Dr.  T's office and pick one up.

October Announcements

NHH major Mark Pennington's photos from the Utah trip are being used on the English Department's website for their new "Literature, Social Justice and Environment" graduate degree. Check out the pics, and while you're at it, check out the degree program, too! Here's the link: LSJE

Montana 2007 pics are finally up! You can find them in the trip gallery. Looks like some fun was had by all.

Eric Braden has posted a blurb on the School for Field Studies newsletter website. You can find a link to Eric here: SFS-Australia

Don't forget the Annual Fall Bash, October 25th! Start picking out your recipes now--a big prize goes to the top dish. (We don't know what the big prize is yet, but I'm sure we'll think of something...)

September Announcements

NHHers doing great things:

Eric Braden's off to Australia with the School for Field Studies this semester, and Caitlin Grann has just returned from SFS Costa Rica. Hopefully, we'll have a report from both soon!

Suzanne Bauguess has had a short essay published in French Creek, the online literary journal for undergraduates. You can find her essay here: http://frenchcreekjournal.allegheny.edu/separations.php

Paddlemaking Workshop (October 6-7) CLOSED

Dr T will hold another paddlemaking workshop this semester. She has room for two students, first come first serve, though seniors will be given preference. Please let her know ASAP if you are interested.

NHH Fall Bash (Tentative date: October 25)

Once again we'll have a "Best Dish" prize (only students will be eligible), so start picking out your recipes. The fall bash will probably be held at Dr.T's house, but we'll send out a more formal announcement as the date approaches.

April Announcements:

New Scholarships available for incoming first-year students:

Beginning in fall, 2007, we will be offering two four-year scholarships of $2000 per year for incoming, first-year students majoring in NHH. These will be awarded on a competitive basis. If you know of any high school seniors or transfer students who might be interested in majoring in NHH, please have them contact Dr. Tomlinson about applying for a scholarship.

Honors to further offset cost of Capstone Experience Course (Montana trip)

The Honors College has agreed to further offset the cost of the Montana trip for NHH 4350. Students will now be expected to pay $200, with the expectation that if any money is left over, it will be refunded to them. Students will pay their portion of the trip fee to the OPC.

November annoucements:

New Focused Tracks in NHH/ISNW

We have created two new "focused tracks" within the major--one for "Environmental Science" and another for "Nature/Environmental Writing." With each, it is possible to earn a minor in Biology or English, respectively. Students will choose science or writing courses from a list of possible choices to qualify for the special designation. We are also currently working with the Department of Art to create a similar track for "Visual Arts" for students interested in photography or illustration.

See Dr. Tomlinson if you are interested or to see if you qualify for the designation.

New Degree Plan

A new degree plan for NHH majors was proposed to and approved by the Provost's Office. The new plan is more streamlined and easier to understand, but coursework requirements have not significantly changed. (E.g., where it read, "Choose any two science courses from the following list," it will now read, "Choose any two science courses, 2000-level or above.")

Proposed Name Change for Degree Program

The Natural History and Humanities Degree program will probably undergo a name change sometime within the next year. Though many of us have grown fond of the name (and it's sister appellation, "NHH"), it has become increasingly apparent that it is an obstacle in communicating what the degree is about to people outside the program (including, and especially, potential majors). Serious discussion about changing it began last year, and several potential names were considered during the ensuing months. Chief among our goals was to find a name that was a clear, understandable descriptor of what the program is about, while also retaining a sufficient level of gravitas suitable for a degree. Since both "natural history" and "humanities" are problematic (people either don't know what the terms mean, or they have differing opinions of what they encompass), the decision was made not to retain either term.

"Nature and the Arts" was proposed to the Honors faculty and rejected on the basis of concern that the College of Visual and Performing Arts would not allow use of the word "Arts" in the title. At that same faculty meeting, Assistant Dean Marjean Purinton then suggested "Interdisciplinary Nature Studies." After further discussion, a committee consisting of Dr. Tomlinson, Professor Caswell, Dr. McGinley, Dr. Purinton,  and Dr. Elbow thought that "natural world" encompassed both science and humanities more than the word "nature" did by itself, therefore, the committee decided to offer "Interdisciplinary Studies in the Natural World" as the potential name change. It was subsequently voted on by the Honors faculty and administration and approved.

The proposed change will now go to the Provost's Office, and then probably to the State Coordinating Board in Austin. We don't know exactly when it will be approved, but these things usually take time. So current majors in the program graduating in August or December of 2007 will probably be awarded a degree under the NHH name, while majors graduating after that will probably be awarded a degree with the new name. In either case, the program will be the same one.

To assist with the transition, you will notice that we have added the new name as a subtitle to the NHH name. Once the change is approved, we will probably reverse this and the name will read; "Interdisciplinary Studies in the Natural World: Natural History and Humanities."

The subtitles will not appear on transcripts, diplomas, or other official documents.

The new name is a mouthful, to be sure, but we anticipate that an unofficial, informal shortening will occur naturally (in the same way "NHH" became synonymous with Natural History and Humanities). We're curious to see what it will be...ISN? SNW?...Natural World?...Ins-Wa? Izen-world? Izen-dub?...

Hats for Grads
The faculty wanted to do something special to honor the people who graduate from the NHH/ISNW program, but we didn't want simply to pass out another plaque. So we put our heads together and decided to award you with a good, dependable field hat designed to last you a lifetime. The hat we selected is made by Watership Trading Companie, a family-owned business in Seattle that touts sustainable growth and concern for the environment. Watership Trading Companie is committed to using organically-grown, pesticide-free or recycled materials in their products whenever possible, and is a designated "Green Steps" business (recognized by the outdoor retail industry as a company that has adopted environmental practices).

We believe that a hat like this is appropriate for our majors for many reasons. First, because it is very well-made, it is not a "disposable commodity." Rather, we hope it is something you will use for many years to come. Second, it is made by a company that is trying to conduct business responsibly--an attitude we feel comfortable supporting. And lastly, we hope it will keep good memories close when you wear it. Carry it with you on all your adventures, wherever they take you.

If you are a graduate of the program (major or minor), or will graduate in August or December of 2007, and would like an NHH/ISNW hat with our new logo, please send Dr T your hat size as soon as possible.

      
S    21 3/8 - 22 1/4
M    22 1/4 - 22 1/2
L     22 1/2 - 23 3/4
XL  23 3/4 - 24 1/2

 
You can't buy this hat--you can only earn it!

 

For more information regarding the NHH degree, contact:

Dr. Susan Tomlinson
TTU Honors College
103 McClellan Hall
Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 742-1828