Courses
Honors gives students the opportunity to take classes that are interesting, engaging, and thought-provoking.
Required First-Year Honors Courses
Select one of the following first-year honors courses as a requirement.
- HON 101: Research Scholars - Introduction to critical thinking, scholarly inquiry, and diversity of perspectives through an interdisciplinary approach to a societal problem. This is a small, discussion-based course focused on what it means to be an active, engaged Honors student.
- HON 102: Leaders in Action - Introduction to leadership, public service, and being a democratic citizen through an interdisciplinary approach. Students will learn what it means to bridge theory with action through guest speakers, lectures, and mentorship.
These courses provide you with an excellent starting point in Honors and in college. Your thinking will be sparked by interesting readings, films, cultural and intellectual experiences, service, and discussion on the big questions in life.
Fall 2024 Courses
3 credits/1 credit
(Day and time TBD)
Elements of the atmosphere with emphasis on those processes that affect the global atmospheric circulation. Real time weather data is incorporated into lecture to aid in transferring the subject matter to real life experiences.
3 cr.
Ross, S.
Asynchronous Online
This course investigates aviation's effects on global culture, commerce, and politics throughout its history by examining original historical sources and evidence from significant events in aviation. After taking this class, students will be more aware of their own and other cultural frameworks and biases and be able to use that perspective effectively as aviation professionals in a global industry. Prerequisite: Minimum GPA of 2.6.
3 cr.
Vacek, J.
T/R. 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
This course is designed to introduce the student to the United States legal system and the development of air law. The course will cover a broad range of topics related to aviation operations including constitutional law, administrative law, Federal Aviation Administration enforcement actions, aircraft ownership issues, products liability law, criminal law, contract law, and international law. Course activities include case reading, argument, and legal research.
3 cr.
Charmichael, J.
T/R, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Basic concepts of biology with emphasis on the process of science, genetics, molecular biology, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology. Broadly designed to satisfy the needs of those pursuing biological and pre-professional curricula.
3 cr.
Sheridan, W.
T/R 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Key aspects of scientific inquiry and communication are investigated and assessed. Students will participate in discussions of relevant current issues in biology and will develop an independent research project. This course provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply knowledge and skills obtained in biology. Students must take course within 3 semesters of graduation.
3 cr.
Kozliak, J.
MWF, 10:10 - 11 a.m.
Atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermodynamics, periodicity and descriptive inorganic chemistry.
3 cr.
Ross, E.
T/R, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
For the ancient Athenians, theater offered more than entertainment and atritic expression. It also was a religious experience and a crucial form of civic discourse. The theater was a place to dramatize, debate, and reflect upon crucial issues facing the community, including war, politics, education, gender roles, and the status of minority populations.
In this interdisciplinary course we will read, discuss, and watch a large slection of surviving Greek dramas, including the comedies of Aristophanes and the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Working from a variety of perspectives and theories, we will explore what makes Greek theater such a powerful and influential form of human expression.
3 cr.
Powell, E.
T, 11:00 - 11:50 a.m, and T/R, 12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
The theory and practice of public speaking with emphasis on content, organization, language, delivery, and critical evaluation of messages. Basic principles of speech from the viewpoint of composition and delivery. Emphasis on student performance stressing original thinking, effective organization and direct communication of ideas.
3 cr.
Schanilec-Gowan, J.
Asynchronous Online
Introduces theories and practices of health communication. Explores health communication with interpersonal sources (e.g., physicians, other providers), groups (e.g., support groups, health care organizations), and effective communication through mass media and digital/social media channels.
3 cr..
Berry, I.
Asynchronous Online
Examines and evaluates the social, ethical and economic aspects of advertising. Attention is given to appraising the effects of advertising on the consumer and competition.
3 cr.
Staff/TBD
T/R, 9:05 - 9:55 a.m.
This course, which builds upon ENGL 110, gives students experience with genres and rhetorical situations beyond the academic classroom. In begins with a set of common readings on an important social issue to establish a context for the work of the class. Throughout the semester, students engage in a series of research tasks and writing projects that center on a collaboratively-authored project proposal or recommendation for a specific audience or community. Then, students use the knowledge gained through research and rhetorical awareness to produce documents that will help inform and persuade the public.
3 cr.
Carson, S.
W, 3:00 - 5:30 pm. Online
We will structure the early part of the course by working through Nell Irvin Painter’s Creating Black Americans: African American History and its Meanings, 16-19 to the Present, which will also let us review key eras of American history through the lens of African American experience. Painter also uses visual art as a key element in this book, which opens all kinds of directions for us.
As we work to build our historical perspective, we will begin working closely with a fascinating range of Black writers and artists, and we’ll start asking and refining a series of questions about current issues and debates in the United States related to Black and African American experience.
3 cr.
Hammond, S
T/R, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Human interactions with the natural environment are often perceived as a conflict between environmental protection and socio-economics. Sustainability attempts to redefine that world view by seeking balance between the "three Es" environment, economy, equity. This course examines the concept of sustainability, the theory behind it, and what it means for society.
3cr.
Romsdahl, R. and Hunter, C.
8-week-long project-based course.
The course project will focus on developing a cooperative seed collection with one location on the UND campus and another location in the Grand Forks community. Class time will be split between discussing and doing research on seed collections, time working in a Learning Garden on campus, and opportunities to be involved in activities such as interviewing community members to collect seed stories from their life experience.
3 cr.
Prescott, C.
T/R, 11 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.
Through intense role playing and a highly interactive learning environment, students in this course explore key historic debates in American history about slavery, capitalism, citizenship, and women's roles. Class sessions are student centered and directed while professors advise, guide and evaluate oral and written work.
By contract/permission only.
1-4 cr.
Cason, D.
Invest in your community, gain practical knowledge and experience, and earn up to 4 Honors credits by volunteering or interning at select organizations. A two-pages or more reflection paper will be due at the end of the semester. By Permission Only. Contact David Cason (david.cason@UND.edu) for details.
3 cr.
Kirby, M.
T/R: 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
What can the humanities teach us about medicine, illness, and health care? What does the term "medical humanities" actually mean? And most importantly, who does the work in this field matter? In this course, students will be able to formulate thier own definition of "medical humanities" and come to a deeper understanding of the complexity of health, illness, and the practice of medicine. In doing this, we'll work to develop a sense of how the medical humanities can offer meaningful insights not just to future healthccare workers, but to anyone who grapples with the experience of being human.
3 cr.
Kirby, M.
T/R, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
This class looks at the history of the relationship betweeen humans and space, whether we are prepared for life outside Earth's orbit and what would that mean and look like? We'll look to nonfiction sources in a variety of disciplines to help us answer these and more questions, and we'll also see how creators of fictional works have imagined their way through the same questions. There will be short writing assignments throughout the semester and a final project at the end that can be academic, creative, or a hybrid.
By permission of the Director
1-8 cr.
Kirby, M.
By permission of the Honors Director only.
Independent research on a significant project with an expert faculty advisor.
3 cr.
Ross, E.
T/R, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
An introduction to the interdisciplinary nature of cultural practices and traditions around the world, this course will explore an understanding of culture as historical, literary, linguistic, visual, and performative. through reading, writing, and discussion to foster advanced communication, students will be expected to engage and examine intercultural contexts and complexities. Repeatable when topics vary.
3 cr.
Weldt-Basson, H.
T/R, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Open to majors and non-majors. Literature, linguistics, and/or culture course organized by genre, movement, topic or period with a focus on promoting complex engagement with the subject through in-depth analytical writing and discussion. Taught in English.
3 cr.
Beltz, M.
MWF 10:10 - 11 a.m.
Some ethical problems and ethical guidelines are of particular concern to citizens and to professionals interested in health care fields. Examples are informed consent, abortion, euthanasia, organ transplant policies, professional standards versus patient rights, assisted suicide, ethics of testing/screening, health care policy and reform. Class members will explore such issues through case studies in a conterxt of relevant ethical history and theory. Junior/senior standing encouraged.
3 cr.
Rozelle-Stone, R.
M/W 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
In this class, we will pay attention to two phenomena: loneliness and touch. The U.S.. Surgeon General has reported that there is an "epidemic of loneliness and isolation" in our country. How does this loneliness manifest? How is it experienced and under what conditions? At the same time, we are said to be suffering from a "crisis of touch," despite being "hyperconnected." Might the gains of the digital revolution be accompanied by the risk of losing touch with ourselves and with each other? Is touch important for our humanness? Phenomenology invites us to attend to specific experiences in the world in detailed, open, and unprejudiced ways. Such careful attentiveness helps us to appreciate not only these phenomena better but also the kinds of beings we are. How are we affected by touch, and could it address loneliness? In class, we will engage in frequent discussion, in-class exploratory writing, and active phenomenological experiments. No background in philosophy is needed.
3 cr.
Ferraro, R.
MWF: 12:20 - 1:10 p.m. and R: 2- 5 p.m.
A survey of the psychology of human life span development, including intellectual, emotional, and social aspects of the normal individual and emphasizing childhood and adolescent development. Prerequisite: PSYC 111.
3 cr.
Terrell, H.
T/R. 8 - 9:15 a.m.
An advanced research methods course. Students will learn how to plan and execute basic psychological experiments, analyze data, and correctly report research findings using APA style. Prerequisite: PSYC 241 and PSYC 303.
- ENGR 201HON Statics
- ENGR 202HON Dynamics
- ENGR 203HON Mechanics of Materials
- ENGR 206HON Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
- ME 487HON Engineering Design
Requires permission codes from Nursing to register
- NURS 301HON Professional Nurse I
- NURS 331HON Patient and Family-Centered Nursing
- NURS 406HON Evidence-Informed Practice
- NURS 450HON Transition to Practice: Seminar