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Visions of Utopia

Ruben Garrote

Fully Online (Summer A)

We explore the utopian imagination by tracing its development from its ancient precursors to its modern manifestations. Through the readings and discussions, we address the shifts in utopian thought as it was affected by contemporary sociopolitical realities and the relationships between the utopian imagination and these realities—perennial yearning for better days past transformed into hopes of a perfect society to come; self-conscious warnings of authors faced with the real results of the planned society; dystopian fantasies looking ahead to the new frontiers of technology and the uncertain future of humanity.

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The Paradox-Savvy Mind

Matthew Kutz

Fully Online (Summer A)

This course is an interactive virtual class that introduces the student to the nuance of how a binary paradigm makes us uncomfortable with paradox and limits our thinking, creativity, and innovation. Attention is given to how cognitive diversity and contextual intelligence are prerequisites for successful leadership in a rapidly changing and dynamic workforce.

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Save our Parks: Environmental Law, Policy and Politics

Anthony Rionda

Online LIVE, Mon. 6:00P-9:20P (SUMMER A)

Our National Parks are America’s Crown Jewels. They are worshipped by avid adventurers, campers, road-trippers and the former students of FIU Honor’s Everglades course. The aim of this course (Save our Parks) is to focus on how politics, policy, and law have shaped, saved, and at threatened our most beautiful natural legacy. This class will have four parallel tracks. First, (1) we will learn collectively about the Organic Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Wilderness Act, etc. and the famous parks (e.g. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Zion, Joshua Tree, Everglades), why each student focuses on (2) a lesser known park. We will also follow the importance of the (3) New Deal and how its programs both protected the parks, increased access, and advertised them to the masses (the Civilian Conservation Corps, the WPA, and the Artist Initiatives). And finally we will look at the politics of why these parks exist, how we can protect more acres while balancing their maintenance needs and farmers/ranchers/mining expectations. We will focus on how we can protect our national parks for the next hundred years. Each student will “adopt a park” and work to do unique research on the park, work with the park on increasing its awareness among college students, and why/how we can protect it for the future.

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Current Events Through the Lens of Music

Melba Pearson

Fully Online (Summer B)

Students analyze the lyrics of songs from the last few decades and explore the social and political events that inspired the artists' lyrics. The songs are selected from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and present day. For their midterm and final projects, students will select a song from their own collection and perform the same analysis.

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Mythopoeia and the Secret Fire

Adam Gorelick

Fully Online (Summer B)

This course explores the theory and practice of imagination through the works of philologist and professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Famous for The Lord of the Rings and for the unprecedented depth of his fictional world-building, Tolkien's ideas and works offer valuable insight into philosophy, history, linguistics, myth, mysticism, sociology, ecology, and creativity. Students will read essays, poems, and stories by and about Tolkien, trace the origins of his invented world, and apply their own faculties of imagination to the realization of something that does not exist yet.

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Legal Ethics

Andrej Milic

Fully Online (Summer B)

Legal Ethics is a foundational course that examines the professional responsibilities, ethical obligations, and moral dilemmas that attorneys face throughout their careers. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the rules governing lawyer conduct, including the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, state bar regulations, and case law that shapes ethical standards in legal practice. Students will explore critical topics such as attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, conflicts of interest, competence and diligence requirements, duties to the court and opposing parties, advertising and solicitation rules, and the unauthorized practice of law. Through case studies, hypothetical scenarios, and analysis of disciplinary proceedings, students will develop the analytical frameworks necessary to identify ethical issues and navigate the complex tensions between zealous advocacy, professional integrity, and service to justice.

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The Intern’s Journey to a Legal Career

Andrej Milic

Tues., Thurs., 5:00P-8:20P (Summer B)

Intern's Journey to a Legal Career is a practical, experiential course designed to bridge the gap between academic legal education and professional practice. This course provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in law-related internships while developing the essential skills, professional networks, and practical knowledge needed to launch successful legal careers. Through structured internship placements in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, public interest organizations, or judicial chambers, students will observe and participate in real-world legal work, learning to navigate professional environments and understand the day-to-day realities of various legal practice areas. Throughout the course, students will not only complete their internship requirements but also engage in guided reflection, professional development workshops, and career planning activities that help them translate their experiences into marketable skills and informed career decisions. The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional competencies including legal research and writing, client communication, ethical reasoning, time management, and workplace professionalism. By combining practical experience with structured academic support, this course equips students with both the confidence and credentials needed to pursue their legal career goals, whether in private practice, public service, corporate settings, or other law-related fields.

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Public Speaking for Lawyers

Andrej Milic

Fully Online (Summer B)

Public Speaking for Lawyers is a specialized communication course designed to develop the oral advocacy and presentation skills essential for effective legal practice. Recognizing that lawyers must persuade judges and juries, negotiate with opposing counsel, present to clients and colleagues, and advocate in various professional settings, this course focuses on building confidence and competence in legal public speaking. Students will learn the principles of rhetorical persuasion, audience analysis, and strategic communication while practicing courtroom arguments, client presentations, mediation statements, and professional speeches. Through repeated practice and constructive feedback, students will refine their delivery techniques, including voice control, body language, eye contact, and the use of visual aids to enhance their message. The course combines theoretical foundations with intensive practical application, requiring students to deliver multiple presentations that simulate real-world legal scenarios such as opening and closing statements, oral arguments before appellate courts, witness examinations, and professional development presentations. Emphasis is placed on developing authenticity and credibility as a speaker, organizing complex legal arguments for maximum impact, thinking quickly in response to questions and challenges, and managing public speaking anxiety. By the end of the course, students will have developed a polished, professional speaking style and the ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences—skills that are fundamental to success in any area of legal practice.

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God and Man in the Great Conversation

Ruben Garrote

Online (Summer B)

The course is an examination of some of the "big questions" students explore in a liberal arts program about "life, the universe, and everything."

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Current Events & Law Through the Lens of Music

Natalie Yagual March 5, 2023

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E-mail: honors@fiu.edu

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