WHY HONORS?

HNRS 1110 HU

Constellations of Thought:
Connecting Dots in a Complex World

In this class art, music, literature, and science collaborate as ways of understanding our place in the more-than-human world. From fusions of science, song, and story, we’ll think about relevant issues in our time, about our own lives, and about our connections with others. From the basis of this interconnection, we’ll consider our actions and our ethics.

Dr. Christy Call
Tuesday/Thursday
10:30-11:45am OR 12-1:15pm
10:30am CRN 24067 | 12pm CRN 24068
LI 325

Meet Your Professor

Dr. Christy Call is Director of the Honors Program and Associate Professor of English.

HNRS 1540 HU

Bang Your Head:
Heavy Metal Music & Society

“Metal confronts what we'd rather ignore. It celebrates what we often deny. It indulges in what we fear most. And that's why metal will always be a culture of outsiders.” In this class we will examine what makes metal music and its fans a culture of outsiders, as anthropologist and documentarian Sam Dunn suggests. We’ll consider metal music through a study of masculinity, class, race, and sexuality.

Jessica Fisher
Monday/Wednesday | 12-1:15pm
CRN 24081
LI 325

 

 

 

Meet Your Professor

 

HNRS 1540 HU

The Poetic Imagination:
Literature, Philosophy, & Symbolic Experience

Are you trying to find or forge your own path? Have you ever wondered why we resort to figurative language to describe such important questions? Explore the poetic imagination in this course and spend the semester learning the value of perplexity, pondering, and reflection. We will consider questions like what am I doing here? How do I live a meaningful life? And how can literature help me make meaning out of an increasingly complex world?

Dr. Joseph Mulligan
Tuesday/Thursday | 1:30-2:45pm
CRN 24748
LI 325

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HNRS 2010 HU

Plated Culture: Food as Identity, Memory, & Resistance in Literature and Film

Dive into the powerful connections between food, identity, memory, and storytelling. Food does more than nourish us - it shapes who we are and how we connect with our communities. We’ll explore the ways food has been portrayed in films, shows, stories, and oral histories not only as a means of sustenance, but also a symbol of resistance, and how these impact communal identity and cultural heritage. Ultimately, you'll discover how food reflects cultural identity and self expression.

Dr. Ukamaka Olisakwe
Monday/Wednesday | 10:30-11:45am
CRN 24749 | LI 325

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HNRS 1520 SS

Food, Mood, and Mind:
Neuropsychology of Nutrition

Does the Mediterranean diet prevent depression? Could comfort foods like ice cream actually be making your anxiety worse? Let's taco 'bout it! In this course, we will discuss cutting-edge research on the gut-brain axis, the neurobiological and psychological effects of what we eat, the psychology of feeding behaviors, the etiology and treatment of eating disorders, and more.

Dr. Rachel Chase
Monday/Wednesday | 1:30-2:45pm
CRN 24069
LI 325

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HNRS 1520 SS

Healing & Resilience:
Trauma-Informed Perspectives

Trauma and stress can push us to our limits, but the good news is, resilience can be built. Research shows that with the right tools, we can not only overcome challenges but also thrive. In this class, you'll explore proven resilience-building strategies, try them out for yourself, and discover what works best for you. Plus, you’ll put your learning into action with a community-based service project, making a real impact while strengthening your own resilience.

Mindy Russell-Stamp & Lauralee Solimeno
Monday/Wednesday | 1:30-2:45pm
CRN 24075
LH 212

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HNRS 2050 SS

The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication

From Star Wars to Pink Floyd, the Dark Side has remained a subject of cultural fascination for centuries. Yet, the paradoxical, distressing, and dialectical are often deemed too difficult to look at straight on. In this class, we will take up this gauntlet and explore the "dark" and "bright" sides of various communication topics that impact our everyday lives. Discover the potential functionalities of dark communication (deception, infidelity, gossip) and potential dysfunctionalities of bright communication (social support, leadership, affection).

Dr. Katie Kassler
Monday/Wednesday | 12:30-1:45pm
CRN 24755 | LH 104

Meet Your Professor

 

 

 

HNRS 1530 CA

Words & Wares

Writing and art both use symbols on a page to express thoughts & feelings and evoke meaningful responses from others. Through words and wares, through writing and pottery, you’ll explore different creative ways to express your story. Sharing your story will move and inspire others in ways you can't yet predict.

Monica Linford
Wednesday | 5:30-8:10pm
CRN 24080
KA 307

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HNRS 2020 CA

Murals with a Mission:
Art & Community Collaboration

Explore and engage in the creative process as you are guided through the creation of an original art installation. We will partner with a local elementary school and the Ogden Nature Center to create this work of art, and end the course with a vibrant community celebration.

Erinne Roundy & Tamara Goldbogen
Wednesday | 4:30-7:10pm
CRN 24750
LI 325

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HNRS 2030 PS

Living Amidst the Cosmos:
The Art & Science of Light

Study and experiment with light through art, astronomy, archaeology, philosophy, physics, and psychology. We’ll learn under the sun and stars by visiting local sites of interest, like the Sun Tunnels and North Fork Dark Sky Preserve. Our observations and experiments will inspire you to create light-based artworks of your own. You’ll leave this hands-on course with a greater understanding of the role of light in your life and in the physical world around you.

Ariel Wilson
Monday | 8:30am-11:10am
CRN 25011
KA 150

Meet Your Professor

Ariel Wilson is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Visual Art & Design.

HNRS 2040 LS | HNRS 4920 | MLS 4410

Interdisciplinary Healthcare Teams

In this course, medical professionals from all disciplines will develop the skills to collaborate effectively, communicate across roles, and build strategies to enhance patient care. By exploring the responsibilities and scope of practice of various healthcare professions, you will gain a deeper understanding of team dynamics, resilience, conflict resolution, and cultural competence. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable practices and interdisciplinary teamwork, equipping you with the tools to navigate complex healthcare environments and improve patient-centered outcomes.

Dr. Justin Rhees
HNRS 2040 CRN 24752 | HNRS 4920 CRN 24754
MLS CRN 20996 | Online

Meet Your Professor

Dr. Justin Rhees is an associate professor in Medical Laboratory Sciences.

HNRS 2830

Mapping the Ride: Researching Grit & Resilience in High School Mountain Bikers

Mountain biking is the fastest-growing youth sport in America, and Utah has the largest number of young riders in the country. Yet, little research exists on its impact in fostering resilience among youth. In this course, you'll take a deep dive into the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), with a focus on the Utah High School Cycling League, to explore how mountain biking shapes resilience and personal growth. Join us in this exciting endeavor to uncover why mountain biking helps create thriving, resilient youth!

Dr. Eddie Hill & Laura Hill
Monday | 9:30-10:20am | CRN 24756
LI 325

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HNRS 2900

Under Fire:
Banned & Challenged YA Literature

Book banning and censorship has skyrocketed every year since 2020. We'll explore the statistics, laws, books, and sociopolitical impacts that have contributed to this phenomenon. We'll read (and fall in love with!) banned books while discussing potential forms of advocacy within the context of book censorship activism.

Dr. Megan Van Deventer
Wednesday | 9:30-10:20am
CRN 24757
LI 325

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HNRS 2920

Align Within: Authenticity
and Meaningful Purpose

This transformative course is designed to empower you to lead your life from within. By exploring self-awareness, personal values, and intrinsic motivation, you will learn to align your actions with your authentic selves, fostering a meaningful and fulfilling life. Through a combination of reflective exercises, discussions, and practical tools, we will release limiting beliefs, clarify life purpose, and build habits that cultivate joy, resilience, and success.

Karla Hughes
Tuesday | 12:30-1:20pm
CRN 24758
Davis Campus, DSC 203

Meet Your Professor

HNRS 2920

Your Body is a Battleground:
Feminist & Queer Studio Art

Create artwork in this interdisciplinary course that centers on themes of identity, social practice, and intersectional feminism. These artworks will be informed by historical and contemporary artists who have been and are changing the world through their art. We will learn about artists who utilize feminism and social justice in their studio practice, explore the intersections of art and activism, and end our semester with a group art exhibit.

Jessica Pleyel
Tuesday | 5-5:50pm
CRN 24762
LI 325

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HNRS 3110

Big Ships, Bigger Ideas

Science fiction, at its best, gives us new ways of thinking about some of life's biggest questions. What is it that makes us human? What kind of society are we willing to accept in exchange for comfort? What threats might lurk in new technology, and what benefits can it bring? In this course we will consider works of sci-fi writing, film, television, and video games to analyze how the chosen media shapes how we ask these questions - and we'll discuss how we might answer these questions for ourselves.

Garin Savage
Tuesday/Thursday | 3-4:15pm
CRN 24763
LI 325

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HNRS 3900

Visual Verse:
Art, Poetry, & the Great Salt Lake

Poetry and art have enjoyed a centuries-old relationship, and have been the conduit for not only self expression, but protest, education, and enlightenment. We will visit various locations of the Great Salt Lake to ignite a deeper sense of personal ecological responsibility and draft various poems and visual art pieces (including watercolor, photography, sculpture, videography, alternative letterpress, and a collaborative zine), then combine those elements to form a final project that materializes text and responds directly to the Great Salt Lake.

Sunni Wilkinson & Kellie Bornhoft
Friday | 10:30am-1:10pm* | CRN 24764 | KA 307

*Several classes will extend beyond this time for field trips.

Meet Your Professors

 

HNRS 2040 LS | HNRS 4920 | MLS 4410

Interdisciplinary Healthcare Teams

In this course, medical professionals from all disciplines will develop the skills to collaborate effectively, communicate across roles, and build strategies to enhance patient care. By exploring the responsibilities and scope of practice of various healthcare professions, you will gain a deeper understanding of team dynamics, resilience, conflict resolution, and cultural competence. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable practices and interdisciplinary teamwork, equipping you with the tools to navigate complex healthcare environments and improve patient-centered outcomes.

Dr. Justin Rhees
HNRS 2040 CRN 11834 | HNRS 4920 CRN 11835
MLS CRN 10472 | Online

Meet Your Professor

Dr. Justin Rhees is an associate professor in Medical Laboratory Sciences.