Teaching Honors Courses

The University Honors Program solicits proposals from full time faculty members to teach courses in the undergraduate Honors program, with the following course titles and catalog descriptions.

Honors is currently soliciting proposals from full-time faculty members to teach courses in the undergraduate Honors program with the following titles and catalog course descriptions, for delivery in Spring 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 (Note: SLO’s refer to the Student Learning Outcomes listed at the end of this document):

• HON 100 Honors Connection I (3 credits)— Interdisciplinary seminar that emphasizes the connections between areas of knowledgesuch as the sciences, arts, philosophy, history, literature, and sociology. This course is normally developed around a specific theme or conceptual framework. (At least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON 180 Great Ideas in Context (3 credits)—An introduction to global intellectual and cultural traditions through reading and discussion of classic works of literature. LAA2- Arts&Hum-Lit&Humanities and LAIS-International Studies and GT (All LAC Content and Competency requirements plus at least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON 182 Confluence of Cultures (3 credits)— An exploration of African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American or U.S. immigrant cultures from historical, literary, and artistic perspectives. LAA2-Arts&Hum-Lit&Humanities and LAMS- Multicultural Studies and GT Literature (All LAC Content and Competency requirements plus at least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON 185 Religions and Worldviews (3 credits)— Explores major religious and non- religious worldviews by examining the history, literature, rituals, and teachings of a selection of religious traditions and worldviews, as well as influential ancient and modern critiques of religion. Also considers the ways in which people construct worldviews, as well as the possibilities for inter-religious dialogue. LAA3-Arts&Hum-Ways of Thinking and GT Ways of Thinking (All LAC Content and Competency requirements plus at least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON 200 Honors Connection II (3 credits)— Interdisciplinary seminar that seeks to engage students in a concentrated analysis of their values in the context of the times, developed around a specific theme or conceptual framework. (At least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON 395 Honors Special Topics (3 credits) – VARIABLE TITLE An advanced study of selected topics of an interdisciplinary nature for Honors Program students. (At least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, &/or 5)
• HON420 Honors Research Methods(3 credits) - Examination of research paradigms and methodologies to develop the most appropriate research methods and data analysis processes to design and develop a successful honors thesis proposal. (At least three SLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4 &/or5)

Select any course title above for a sample syllabus.

Course Sections and Course caps

HON 180, 182, and 185 are capped at 25 Honors students, while HON 100, 200, and 395 typically enroll 10-20 Honors students.

Course Requirements

All courses must be interdisciplinary by design. Courses with co-instructors are allowed, although replacement funding is only available for a total of 3 credit hours. Engaged, culturally inclusive pedagogy is required. Past courses have included team and individual projects, research work, community-engaged projects, and/or presentations as part of the course experience. 

Honors Student Learning Outcomes

1. Creative and Critical Thinking: Think and speak analytically with a unique sense of self in order to synthesize and demonstrate learning from multiple mediums.
2. Inquiry Analysis and Integrative learning: Connect and extend knowledge from one's own academic focus to other disciplines and to the world beyond UNC.
3. Written and Oral Communication: Communicate one's thoughts on paper and in speech effectively with a scholarly voice by using evidentiary support and critical reasoning, within philosophical, analytical and theoretical frameworks appropriate to the discipline. Use appropriate citation and attribution for the discipline and join in the scholarly discourse.
4. Intercultural Competence and Global Learning: Become cognizant of and engage with a diverse range of cultures, religions and beliefs.
5. Community/Civic Engagement and Problem-solving: Invest in the community and empower self and others to make a positive impact on the community with a systems-based

Honors Program Student Learning Outcomes: Full rubric of Honors Program Student Learning Outcomes with details and progressive levels of mastery. Honors 100-200 level classes should include SLOs at Introductory or Developing levels. Honors 300 level classes may include developing or mastery levels. Honors 400 level classes should include mastery levels.

Compensation/Load

Preference will be given to tenured/tenure-track faculty who are able to offer the course in load (including as part of a workload reassignment) if possible. Adjunct replacement funds can be provided to the faculty member’s academic unit where necessary to free up the faculty member’s time for Honors teaching. Cost of in-load Honors teaching will be expensed to Honors/Undergraduate Studies. Faculty who wish to teach an honors course as overload must have approval of their unit leader, college dean, the Schulze Chair, and the AVP for Undergraduate Studies.

Submission Materials and Deadlines

Course proposals should be submitted via email to corinne.wieben@unco.edu,CCing your unit leader. Proposals should include:

1. Specific Honors course number, preferred semester/year and schedule (e.g. T/R before noon)
2. Draft syllabus featuring the course title and description (for variable title courses) and a tentative list of proposed assignments and readings highlighting how assignments relate to the associated student learning outcomes for the course (including LAC content and competencies where relevant)
3. Whether replacement funds will be required

Priority will be given to courses taught by full-time UNC faculty with diverse/inclusive reading selections and evidence of culturally responsive teaching practices and assignment design.

 Faculty members may submit a course proposal even if no active call for proposal has been announced.

 If you have questions, please contact the program office at 351-2940.