Honors Courses
Information on Honors Courses
Honors courses are open to everyone—no special permissions or prerequisites required!
You don’t have to be in the Honors Program to register, but we highly encourage you to join so you can take full advantage of all the benefits of being an Honors student.
We encourage you to take Honors general education courses so you can complete your gen-ed requirements while enjoying the benefits of Honors classes.
Upper-division courses do not require prerequisites.
Spring 2026 Course Offerings
Humanities
Musical Chairs and Time Capsules: Songs as Artifacts
Remember that song? How it transported you to a different time and place and transcended all of your problems and worries. Music is a powerful form of social connection that shapes our identities, while allowing us to share our stories and cultures. In this class, we will research and analyze historical climates and cultures captured in this art.
William John Pollett & Nicole Beatty
HNRS 1540 HU
M/W 3:00-4:15pm
CRN 34469
The Mystery is Afoot: Solving the Case in Detective Literature and Film
Dive into the world of iconic detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Benoit Blanc. From Poe’s gothic mysteries to Knives Out, trace the evolution of the genre in literature and film. Explore how these stories reflect their times, play with structure, and why the detective figure remains compelling. Through readings, screenings, and discussions, students will analyze clues, decode ciphers, and uncover the art of suspense. The game is always afoot!
Thomas Jace Brown
HNRS 1540 HU
T/Th 1:30-2:45pm
CRN 34470
Creative Arts
.png)
Poetry & Printmaking
Discover the creative crossroads of words and images in this interdisciplinary course that blends printmaking with poetry. Students will experiment with foundational techniques in both art forms while exploring their deep historical ties and contemporary intersections. From crafting original poems to designing prints and merging the two, you’ll learn how text and image can amplify one another—turning the page into a vibrant space where language and visual art collide.
.png)
Laura Stott & Andrew Rice
HNRS 1530 CA
T/Th 9:00–11:45am
CRN 34476
Your Body is a Battleground: Feminist & Queer Studio Art
In this interdisciplinary studio course, students will create artwork exploring themes of identity, social practice, and intersectional feminism. We’ll study artists whose work engages feminism, queer studies, and social justice, while investigating the intersections of art and activism. The course culminates in a group exhibition showcasing student projects.
Jessica Pleyel
HNRS 1530 CA
M/W 9:00-10:15am
CRN 34492
Social Sciences
Tough as Woodpecker Lips
The joys of college can also come with a lot of stress, pressure, and setbacks. Research has shown that resilience strategies can help people respond to life's challenges in a more positive way. Learn strategies to build resilience and help develop a positive outlook on life. Apply strategies from designer resilience to help have greater resilience in one’s life.
Jason Biggs
HNRS 1520 SS
T/Th 3:00-4:15pm
CRN 34495
Food, Mood, & 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.
Rachel Chase
HNRS 1520 SS
M/W 1:30-2:45pm
CRN 34499
Life Science
.png)
Adventure Programming: Empowering Youth with Type 1 Diabetes
The number of T1D diagnoses will double in 2040 and there is no cure. In April 2023, we launched REACH Weber, Utah’s only year-around community recreation program for youth with T1D and their families to address this societal need. This course and REACH Weber is held on Weber State University campus, this program adopts the Camps on Campus model by utilizing campus recreation facilities as well as connects local youth and families to our campus, thus connecting to opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. As part of the service-learning attribute for this class, students will engage in the REACH Weber program through facilitation of a semester-long recreation experience offered to youth with type 1 diabetes (15-20 hours).
Eddie Hill & Laura Hill
HNRS 1510 LS | OCRE 3320
T/Th 10:30-11:45am
HNRS CRN 35012 | OCRE CRN 30212
Interdisciplinary Health Care 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.
Justin Rhees
HNRS 1510 LS | HNRS 4920 | MLS 4410
Tuesdays 10:00am-12:20pm
HNRS 1510 CRN 34503 | HNRS 4920 CRN 34513 | MLS 4410 CRN 30732
1-Credit Hour Courses
Bang Your Head: Women in Heavy Metal Music
Books, TV, and movies often stereotype heavy metal fandom as a male-dominated "boys club," with women portrayed as needing protection from its aggressive subculture. In this class, we’ll challenge those narratives by exploring first-hand accounts from women fans and musicians in heavy metal. From Girlschool to Castle Rat, Jinx Dawson to Amy Lee, and Wendy O. Williams to Carla Harvey, we’ll focus on the diverse roles women play in the metal scene, giving them the space to tell their own stories, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Jessica Fisher
HNRS 2920
Wednesdays 12:00–12:50pm
CRN 34519
Big Ships, Bigger Ideas: Exploring Humanity and Society through Science Fiction
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
HNRS 2830
Fridays 12:30-1:20pm
CRN 34522
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.
Thomas Jace Brown
HNRS 2900
Tuesdays 10:30-11:20am
CRN 34524
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—such as goal setting, vision boards, boundary setting, and mindset shifts—we will release limiting beliefs, clarify life purpose, and build habits that cultivate joy, resilience, and success.
Karla Hughes
HNRS 2920
Davis Campus
Tuesdays 12:30-1:20pm
CRN 34548
Upper-Division Courses (no required pre-requisites)
Brains, Bucks, and the Big Bang: Scientific Explorations of Story
From the brain to the cosmos, this course explores how science builds and challenges theories of story. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, economics, and astrophysics, students will investigate how narrative shapes human understanding. Through research, debate, and creative practice, you’ll discover new ways to read, write, and think about the stories that define our world.
Clint Johnson
HNRS 3110
T/Th 12:00–1:15pm
CRN 34585
Literatures of Liberation: BIPOC and Cross-Cultural Solidarity in Action
This course explores works by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) writers in the US and Canada through the lens of solidarity. Together, we’ll examine how cross-cultural communities support one another against systemic oppression, connecting literature with contemporary movements for justice. Open to all interested in exploring the role of art and storytelling in building collective resistance.
Ashley Caranto Morford
HNRS 3110
M/W 10:30-11:45am
CRN 34586
Artificial Intelligence: Problems & Possibilities
How powerful can we expect artificial intelligence (AI) to become and when will it get there? Should we be excited about artificial superintelligence? Should we be worried? What can we do today to help make sure our future with AI is one that we would want? What are the scientific, moral, and philosophical considerations that need to come into play when we try to answer these questions?
.png)
Paul Neiman & Dylan Zwick
HNRS 3900
Eccles Course
T/Th 9:00-10:15am
CRN 34587
Meditation & Mindfulness
Imagine the ability to quiet your thoughts, reduce stress, and navigate life’s challenges calmly and purposefully. Through hands-on practice and immersive learning, you’ll gain the tools to enhance your mental health and change your daily life profoundly. Whether you’re seeking to improve your focus, manage anxiety, or find more joy in the present moment, this class offers a unique opportunity to elevate your well-being and experience a more calm, serene existence.
Michael Olpin
HNRS 4900
Mondays 12:30-3:10pm
CRN 34588
Introduction to Outdoor Adventure Recreation
Discover the thrill of the outdoors while learning essential skills in backpacking, paddling, mountain biking, climbing, and more! In this hands-on course, you’ll build confidence, practice risk management, explore environmental ethics, and even learn how to lead and facilitate group adventures. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!
Jon Griffith
HNRS 4920
Monday Lecture 10:30-11:20am
Tuesday OR Thursday Lab 12:00-3:00pm
Tues. Lab CRN 34590 | Thurs. Lab CRN 35428