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Honors Foundations Course Framework

 

Honors Foundations Courses, taught by our Honors Faculty Fellows, are special topics courses approved for General Education Foundations credit. These courses are special topics "big ideas" classes with deeply engaged teaching and learning practices that bring faculty expertise to Honors students at the introductory level. These exciting and innovative courses rotate topics annually.

These special topics courses are listed under course number “shells” that are keyed to specific GEF requirements.

Each course will serve as the shell for course topics that are proposed under the auspices of the Honors Faculty Fellows program. Sections will typically be capped at 25 students. Each accepted Honors Foundations Course will then be offered once in each semester in an academic year and will rotate to an innovative new subject in the next academic year.

Honors Foundations Course Outcomes

HONR 202: Honors Science and Technology


A fundamental grasp of the nature of science is essential for responsible, sustainable, and intelligent interaction with the world. Each of us must be able to evaluate scientific developments, technological advancements, and our evolving natural world in order to thrive. Students will apply systematic methods of analysis to the natural and physical world, understand scientific knowledge as empirical, and refer to data as a basis for conclusions.

HONR 203: Honors Mathematics and Quantitative Skill


Students will demonstrate effective use of quantitative techniques and practical application of numerical, symbolic, or spatial concepts.

HONR 204 – Honors Society and Connections


Civic knowledge and engagement are critical to individual, societal, and global survival. Students will be able to investigate and analyze human behavior, societal and political organization, or communication.

HONR 205—Honors Human Inquiry & the Past


A fundamental knowledge of our forebears, their successes, mistakes, obsessions, and weaknesses allow us to progress. A fundamental grasp of the realm of human thought, reason, ethics, or beliefs enables us understand our world and ourselves. Students will be able to interpret historical events or philosophical perspectives.

HONR 206—Honors Arts and Creativity


Regardless of the medium, art communicates and connects us to human innovations and achievements of the past, present, and shared future. Artistic expression employs integrative and creative thinking that promotes transformative ideas capable of crossing disciplinary and cultural boundaries. For Lecture-Format Courses: Students will be able to identify, analyze, and interpret the significance of a particular medium, period, or body of artistic expression.  For Applied or Studio-Format Courses: Students will apply basic disciplinary principles in the creation of a particular mode of artistic expression.

HONR 207—Honors Global Studies and Diversity


Embracing human diversity enriches our understanding, including the understanding of what we have in common. Students will be able to critically evaluate global and societal issues by developing an awareness of cultural, linguistic, or experiential diversity.