Honors Courses
Honors-specific courses offer an interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunity for students in the Honors Program. These courses feature rotating subjects and are repeatable, allowing students to explore diverse topics. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to propose new Honors Courses.
Course Categories
Honors Courses align with the mission of the Honors Program and are grouped into four main categories:
HNRS 370: Scholarship of Diversity
- This course fosters an appreciation for diversity by addressing biases, promoting acceptance of differences, and honing communication skills through active listening. Repeatable with different section topics for up to 4 credit hours. Graded S/U.
HNRS 371: Scholarship of Logic and Problem Solving
- Students develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills through case studies and effective communication techniques. Repeatable with different section topics for up to 4 credit hours. Graded S/U.
HNRS 372: Scholarship of Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice
- This course emphasizes critical thinking and decision-making through practical applications, guided by instructors' expertise. Repeatable with different section topics for up to 4 credit hours. Graded S/U.
HNRS 373: Scholarship of Creativity
- Students explore creative expression and its societal impact while improving communication skills. Repeatable with different section topics for up to 4 credit hours. Graded S/U.
Proposal Timeline
Faculty interested in proposing courses should adhere to the following deadlines:
- Fall Courses: Proposals due by the 1st Friday of November, reviewed by the 1st Friday of December.
- Spring Courses: Proposals due by the 1st Friday of April, reviewed by the 1st Friday of May.
Upcoming Honors Courses: Spring 2025
HNRS 370: Environment and Culture in Costa Rica
Experience the "pura vida" lifestyle while exploring Costa Rica’s biodiversity and leadership in environmental conservation.
HNRS 373: Scaled to Perfection: Crafting Dragons Through Evolution and Imagination
Investigate the plausibility of dragons through myth, biology, and evolutionary theory. Design your own scientifically plausible dragon species using comparative anatomy and evolutionary principles.
HNRS 372: A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived
Delve into human evolution, tracing our species' development through genetics, fossil evidence, and adaptation, offering a brief history of humanity.
Current Honors Courses: Fall 2024
HNRS 372: RAWR-iented Paleogeology – Unveiling the Rockin' Past of Dinosaurs
Unearth the geological secrets of dinosaurs in this thrilling blend of paleontology and geology.
HNRS 372: Suture Success
Gain hands-on skills in disease control, surgical prep, aseptic techniques, and laboratory diagnostics.
HNRS 371: Humans and the Great Lakes: A Complicated History and Hopeful Future
Examine the Great Lakes’ history, human impact, and the path forward for preserving this critical freshwater resource.
Previous Courses
HNRS 370: A Monumental Appreciation of the Nation’s Capital
Explore Washington, D.C.’s art, architecture, and museums, assessing their impact through an interdisciplinary lens.
HNRS 373: It’s a Small World
Create a collaborative miniature display using artistic techniques like sculpting, painting, and 3D printing.
HNRS 372: How to Clone a Mammoth
Investigate the science and ethics of de-extinction, from mammoths to passenger pigeons.
HNRS 370: Women in STEM
Discover the history and contributions of women in science, examining feminist critiques and ways to encourage representation in STEM fields.