Content
The following 298H seminars are 3 credit hour classes. They are open to all University Honors Program students. Enrollment in these courses will generally follow regular University enrollment procedures and occur on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with your assigned priority registration times, unless otherwise noted.
Each course may meet additional degree requirements, such as ACE or college required hours. Specifics are noted with each course. If you think a course may be eligible to count towards hours in your major, please check with your major advisor about this possibility.
If this is your final semester and you have an unmet 298H or ACE need AND you have difficulties getting into a course section that meets those needs, contact Dr. Tamy Burnett ASAP.
Previous semesters' courses
Fall 2026
UHON 298H
Crafting the American Experiment: Revolution, Rights, and the Rule of Law
Dr. Joann Ross
MW 3:30 - 4:45 | Knoll
ACE 5
In celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, this course will explore “The American Experiment,” the ambitious historical effort to establish a representative democracy and a republic based on ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government, which began with the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is a “grand experiment” because the founders understood that such republics were historically rare and unstable, with the outcome uncertain. The course will begin with events from the 1760s that caused British colonists in America to feel alienated from and imposed upon by Parliament and the King. It will conclude with the adoption of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Throughout, we will consider whose voices were at the forefront of the fight for independence, whose voices were left out, and why these decisions are important today.
UHON 298H
How to Be an Information Warrior: Critical and Creative Thinking for National Security
Dr. Tyler White
TR 11:00-12:15pm │ Knoll
ACE 6 | CAS CDR Social Sciences
In this course we will learn valuable skills for making sense of the complex and contradictory world in which we live. Being able to analyze problems, generate solutions, and persuade decision makers are key skills for professional success -- and they are necessary skills for ensuring the future security of our country. In this class, we will use case studies and a long-term simulation to learn how to ask the right questions, creatively generate possible solutions to problems, reach evidence-informed and data-driven conclusions, craft technical arguments, and successfully persuade decision-makers.
UHON 298H
The Art of Speaking: Authentic Public Speaking and Storytelling
Prof. Elsbeth Magilton
TuTh 12:30 - 1:45 | Knoll
ACE TBD
Regardless of what field you work in, professionals are often called upon to also be performers, storytellers, teachers, and oral advocates for their work. Whether it’s in the board room, the court room, leading training sessions, or lecturing in classrooms, public speaking is often a significant part of many jobs. Moreover, public speaking is a critical skill outside of your professional life, across volunteerism and service work, sharing your hobbies and passions. The course is designed to develop your speaking skills in an array of settings with a focus on the core tenants of good public speaking practices and developing your own personal and authentic style.
UHON 298H
How to Build a Starship
Prof. Nate Pindell
TR 2:00-3:15 | Jorgensen
ACE 4
The Earth has been called the cradle of humanity. The only home that humankind has ever known. But are there circumstances that would force humankind to look to the stars as a last resort in the face of extinction? Could humanity become a multi-planet species? What are the current plans for such events? Now more than ever it is important to understand how science and STEM are used to make informed decisions in day-to-day operations and prepare for the future. This course is designed to be a “survey of STEM” in which individuals that may be unfamiliar with many topics in STEM can gain knowledge of the scientific method and the diversity of the disciplines. The course is also trans-disciplinary in nature. The intersection of STEM and non-STEM fields. How is art used in science? What is the science of art? These questions, and more, will be discussed at length in “How to Build a Starship.”
UHON 298H
Wilderness in the 21st Century
Dr. Gwendwr Meredith
MWF 10:30-11:20 │Knoll
ACE 6
The purpose of this course is to provide a background and history on the concept of “wilderness” and how a planet with 10 billion people might require us to reevaluate our views. Historically, university courses on wilderness focus on philosophical, theological, historical, or scientific/conservation perspectives. Instead, in this course, we will explore how wilderness is defined by societies over time, but with an emphasis on practical considerations in defining wilderness, particularly in areas where human presence and behaviors will erode those places on the planet that represent our current vision of wilderness. The Okavango Delta (rural Botswana) will be used as a case study for the course as it represents one of the great defined wildernesses of the world. It also encompasses the conundrum of the 21st century, in which some of the long-standing views of what constitutes wilderness might need to be reexamined.
UHON 298H
From the Lab to the Page: Writing as a Scientist
Dr. Karin Van Dijk
MW 11:30-12:20, Th 12:30-3:30 | Beadle
ACE 1
Limited to BIOC majors -- this is a 3-credit lecture and lab course designed to increase proficiency of sophomore-level biochemistry students in hypothesis-driven experimental design, basic biochemistry techniques, data collection and analyses, data presentation, and various types of scientific writing and presentation. The overarching scientific theme is antibiotic resistance and novel approaches to combat infectious disease. Students can expect the lecture component of the class to follow a discussion-based format with in-class problem solving and writing activities included (i.e. not a traditional lecture class). Some of the discussions and analyses will be centered on reading materials that range in difficulty from science journalism to technical articles from high-impact journals. One of the signature assignments will be the synthesis of a scientific review paper written in stages in an iterative process throughout the semester.
