The following 298H seminars are 3 credit hour classes. ACE credit is noted by each course. Enrollment in these courses will follow regular University enrollment procedures and occur on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with your assigned priority registration times.
Previous semesters' courses
Fall 2023

Women’s & Gender Studies/Interdisciplinary
Women, Leadership, and Power
Course description ►
No.: **** | Section 004 | 3:30-4:45pm MW |
Knoll 257 | Prof. Joann Ross | ACE 9; CAS CDR Humanities; Counts for WGS major/minor in "other courses" category |
This class aims to introduce you to key issues related to women, leadership, and power across a broad range of areas in society and women’s lived experiences in/out of power (disciplinary areas include: activism, agriculture, the arts, athletics, business, education, military service and/or law enforcement, medicine/healthcare, politics/government service, religious leadership, and STEM). In this class, we will visit with guest speakers each week from a variety of backgrounds and professions. Additionally, we will learn about historical and contemporary women leaders, issues related to women and power, and how women navigate and challenge patriarchal contexts (those designed for men). Throughout this course, we will explore how these issues about leadership and power impact women in different ways based on their other intersecting identities, such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender expressions, sexuality, religion, etc.
We are interested in exploring the conditions that shape who is (and historically has been) in power and who is marginalized in these systems – and what the costs of navigating these systems are for women, in particular. In addition to traditional course projects, all students will engage in a community educational project. This course will help you think critically about the broader cultural, social, political, and historical implications of women and/in power.

Humanities In Medicine/History/Interdisciplinary
People, Plagues, and Public Health
Course description ►
No.: **** | Section 006 | 11:30-12:20pm MWF |
Knoll 257 | Prof. Angela Bolen | ACE 5; CAS CDR Humanities |
This course is a detailed and thorough study in the history, progression, impacts, and significance of public health activities from the Black Death to the worldwide AIDS/HIV crisis in the 1980s and 1990s. By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify the meaning and purpose of public health and institutions of public health.
- Discuss and explore four significant illnesses and the corresponding plagues they brought about.
- Distinguish and delineate the historical context and historical impact of major pandemics across the world from the 14th to the 20th century.
- Synthesize the intersection of healthcare with a variety of social, political, economic, and religious themes throughout history.
- Understand the nature of illness, wellness, healing, and public health as it affects and is affected by a variety of factors including race, gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and physical ability.

Physical Sciences/Interdisciplinary
How to Build a Starship
Course description ►
No.: **** | Section 007 | 2:00-3:15pm, TR |
Knoll 257 | Prof. Nate Pindell | 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.”

Biochemistry/Writing/Interdisciplinary
From the Lab to the Page: Writing as a Scientist
Course description ►
Enrolling Requires Permission; Priority given to Biochem majors | Section 008 | 11:30-12:20pm MWF 11:30-2:30pm F |
Beadle E106 (MW) Beadle N170 (F) |
Prof. Karin Van Dijk | ACE 1; Subs for BIOC 205 |
UHON 298H, From the Lab to the Page: Writing as a Scientist 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.

Interdisciplinary/Theatre
Story to Stage: The Practice of Documentary Theatre
Course description ►
Class No.***** | Section 009 | 12:30-1:45 PM, TR |
Knoll 257 | Prof. Andy Park | ACE 7 |
This class will explore the power of theatrical production to tell real stories. We will learn about the practices of documentary theatre. We will apply what we learn to content we source ourselves – curiosities, intrigues, challenges, and atrocities – experiences of the world we want to shine a light on. UNL’s Grand Challenges will serve as a starting ground for our thematic conversations. As this is a 298H solutions seminar, our focus will be on exploring theatrical tools to tackle “wicked problems” through the collaborative setting of a theatre ensemble and the creative problem solving of the theatrical rehearsal room. The medium of a play allows playwrights, directors, actors, and audiences to grapple with enduring questions and challenges. So, our aim will first be to look at others who have used this process to look at an enduring question and then steal from their experiences to create our own play(s). The process of devising a full-scale theatre production out of our sourced material takes longer than our class lasts. This process is one that takes research and extended exploration and drafts and rewrites. To that end, while the work we do will be shaped into a final product of some kind, the true final will be a project pitch of your own.