First-Year Honors Seminars

Meeting Time: Th 12:30–1:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

Through readings, simple drawings, and collage we will see the world anew: learning how to visualize what we read, what we see, and what we imagine. The course will begin with reading Invisible Cities, the classic collection of essays by Italo Calvino, as a way of seeing cities through a different lens. Weíll be trying to understand and reveal the relationship between words and images through a series of assignments that include drawing, collage, and descriptive writing.

Meeting Time: Th 3–3:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This class will be a critical analysis on the impact of sports in society, particularly viewing sports as a political venue. Through dialogue and reflection, the class will†explore†social themes through the lens of sport. The class is titled #StickToSports: Politics & Sport, in honor of the infamous hashtag telling athletes to "shut up and dribble," be silent on their political opinions and simply play to entertain.

Meeting time: M 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Robust stories of the past draw on multiple disciplines, ranging from genetics through history and beyond. How we go about studying the past through the material culture people left behind is where archaeology intersects with these disparate disciplines to image the past. Over the semester, we will investigate how archaeologists create stories about the past by visiting labs, classrooms, and archaeological sites around Lawrence. Examining how, why, and who constructed past stories from material remains allows us to highlight unconscious biases in popular archaeological tales and begin re-telling these stories to achieve a more holistic narrative.

Meeting Time: W 11–11:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

The world is full of people trained to move fast, sound sure, and color inside the lines. This seminar makes room for another way of thinking, one that breaks rules, notices patterns, asks big questions, tolerates uncertainty, and makes meaning where none seems obvious at first. Creativity asks something different of us: curiosity, courage, imagination, and the willingness to stay with what is complicated long enough for something new to emerge. Together, we will get messy, be wrong out loud, and practice the brave, strange work of thinking for ourselves while asking what it means to remain uniquely human in a world that often rewards speed, certainty, and sameness. Think of it as a recess for the mind.

Meeting Time: M 12–12:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of the cultural crossroads in Palestine and Israel. We will focus on historical and religious sites in Israel and Palestine as case studies while exploring their significance, symbolism, and impact on the region's culture, identity, and conflicts. Through interdisciplinary approaches, students will analyze the religious narratives, historical contexts, and contemporary implications associated with these sites, fostering critical thinking and dialogue. We will include various social groups: Israelis and Palestinians, as well as Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and Bahai. Examples of sites of interest are in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, The Dead Sea, Haifa, and Hittin.

Meeting Time: M 6–6:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This seminar exposes students to the myriad of ways in which artists and other cultural producers are working outside of, or in conflict with larger "institutions" as a way to reframe how contemporary art functions in society. The course will involve reading, viewings and discussion from global perspectives, and students will develop their own positions as we navigate challenging ideas. Some topics that will be explored will be the history and theory of museums/cultural spaces, building community, utopian communities/communes, activism, and artwork as a form of knowledge production.

Meeting Time: W 12–12:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Who decides what students get to learn? That is the question at the heart of this HNRS 190 course, which will explore debates over the curriculum in American educational history. Throughout the course, students will explore contentious episodes over subjects including the teaching of evolution, religion, the history wars, language education, and sex education. The course will explore these issues historically, but students will also be encouraged to reflect on how these controversies have shaped the American curriculum of today, including on their own lived experience of education.

Meeting Time: Tu 12:30–1:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

Join us for a multidisciplinary, multimedia journey across the decades as we follow the trajectory of disability culture. When the disability rights movement united people of various disabilities, the world saw the full emergence of disability culture. Now, as the twenty-first century continues unfolding, weíll learn how disability justice and disability culture shape each other. Get ready for an immersion in how and why the experiences of disabled people contribute to music and movies, fashion and dance, sports and recreation, and much more.

Meeting Time: M 12–12:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This course will explore how we can rethink disability in order to dismantle ableism and seek a more inclusive society. Students will learn about the history and models of disability, how ableism shows up in our everyday lives, and the barriers that exist within our society. Weíll reframe how we view disability moving from a medical model where there are problems to solve or fix to a social model where we focus on removing barriers and fostering participation and inclusion. Learning through the lived experiences of disabled individuals, using case studies and field experiences, weíll collaborate to build a more accessible and inclusive world.

Meeting Time: M 4–4:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Heroes come in many forms. Some seek it out, some have it happen to them. Some are famous, some are barely known. Some are real, some are fictional. This seminar covers heroes like Oscar Romero, Malala Yousafzai, Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, Bob Dole, Wangari Maathai and, yes, Taylor Swift and Iron Man, who have changed lives and even the world. Drawing on a mix of media and written resources, we will study heroes across a variety of mediums and cultures. The class will culminate with each student finding an "Unsung Hero" who is changing our world.

Meeting Time: Tu 3:30–4:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

This seminar will introduce fascism as a distinctive style of exercising and seeking power. Instead of approaching fascism as a category limited to specific historical regimes, we will explore ways that the concept has been a major focus of modern critical theory and social activism. Readings will draw on a range of thinkers who attempted to theorize the ascendance of fascism in Europe in the 20th century, as well as specific examples — including from U.S. history — of people organizing resistance to power structures they understood to be fascist. Students will gain experience in analyzing the cultural and political dynamics at work in real-world situations.

Meeting Time: Th 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

In this seminar, students will examine emotional impacts of climate change, the role emotions play in shaping human responses to the climate crisis, and emotional practices that contribute to well-being in the age of global warming. This seminar is neither an environmental science course nor an introduction to professional psychology but instead informed by macro social work, which builds on and moves through emotionally resonant relationships toward social action. Students are encouraged to bring their full selves to the course, where we will endeavor to cultivate the feelings we want to carry forward into the uncertain future. Through interactions with each other, scientific literature, and the work of leaders in the burgeoning field of climate emotions, students will develop insights about their own emotional responses, forge relationships that can foster emotional resilience, and experiment with practices that care for self and community as crucial components of creating healthier environments.

Meeting Time: Tu 11–11:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

A recent flood of podcasts, blogs, and books have championed the ancient philosophy of Stoicism as a panacea — able to cure emotional distress, help you to achieve your personal and professional goals, and even improve your sex life. But what does this contemporary "Broicism," which is aimed primarily at young men in male-dominated online environments, have to do with the teachings of the ancient Greek and Roman Stoics? How has our current media environment helped to reanimate and reimagine a millennia-old philosophical tradition? And can our lives really be improved if we embrace Stoic teachings? In this course, which will use a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives ranging from ancient philosophy to contemporary media studies, we will consider the origins of Stoicism, its core teachings, and the potential benefits it might offer for our lives today.

Meeting Time: M 4–4:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Travel has the power to enrich our lives, broaden our horizons, make us question our worldviews, and demonstrate both the diversity and commonality of cultures. At the same time, the multi-trillion dollar global tourism industry has the capacity to change the traditional character of communities, drive up cost of living for locals, harm the environment and promote neocolonialism. How do we reconcile these two sides of the coin? How can we explore our world without doing any harm? What is our relationship with the places and spaces we visit? This course will confront the inherent tensions in global travel and encourage critical thinking about positionality and impact, while also introducing students to on-campus resources dedicated to help them engage with cultures both within and beyond our borders.

Meeting Time: M 9–9:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

Mindfulness has entered the American mainstream lexicon with its share of attention in media coverage. Headlines like "Meditation exercise helps students focus," "Enjoy a party with yoga and color," and "Everyone has time to meditate" underscore how much mindfulness practices have been integrated into our daily lives. Further, mindfulness-based practices have been touted as a modern-day panacea that prevents and reduces stress and depression as well as improves social and emotional wellbeing in children and adults. But what is meditation? Does it really work? How is "mindfulness" popularized in our society and in the mainstream media? This seminar places mindfulness and meditation in the crux of these questions and examines its role in our lives through hands-on practices, scholarly resources, media articles, discussions, and a visit to the Spencer Museum of Art.

Meeting Time: W 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Monsters are part of the fabric of our lives. There is no culture, tribe, or society without its monsters. This class delves into the notion of monstrosity and what constitutes a monster, looking at imagined monsters (horror), fictionalized versions of human monsters (the serial killer and Mafia boss), supernatural monsters (zombies), and possible monsters (extraterrestrials) across a range of media (TV, movies, literature). Particular emphasis will be paid to the deep subversive potential of monsters to challenge the status quo and prevailing attitudes to gender, sexuality, and authority. As well, we’ll discuss the differences and convergences to be found between different cultures. We will analyze some recent reconfigurations of monsters, such as rational zombies, sympathetic serial killers, and friendly aliens, and unpack their meanings. Another important factor will be the consideration of what is humanity, what defines humanness, and why monsters matter.

Meeting Time: F 11–11:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

How do museums respond to changing climates and develop resilience strategies? This course explores local and global museum approaches to climate awareness, adaptability, advocacy, and action. As sources for information, education, and research, museums contribute to conversations, understanding, engagement, and experimentation. As community partners, museums contribute to advancing initiatives, building infrastructure, and inspiring new practices. Class sessions will include site visits to campus museums and other cultural organizations.

Meeting Time: Tu 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Welcome to your weekly reset to de-stress, create, and reflect. Using prompts inspired by art, architecture, music, and poetry, you'll develop new ways of seeing and expressing your experiences. Many of history's greatest thinkers have turned to creative writing practices to relieve stress and overcome challenges. The skills you build in this course are designed to last a lifetime. No experience needed — just curiosity. Bring a pen, an open mind, and take a breath.

Meeting Time: M 3–3:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

Public perceptions of the terms "chemical" and "nuclear" are often shaped by fear, misinformation, and sensationalized narratives. Have these words become part of society's "dirty lexicon," and does combining them (i.e., "nuclear chemistry") intensify that unease? This seminar will examine the historical roots of chemical and nuclear anxieties to appreciate what drives negative perceptions and media bias. While acknowledging the "bad" and "ugly," including chemical and nuclear warfare, we will also highlight the "good" by exploring the many societal benefits of nuclear chemistry. Topics will include residential radon exposure and radon spas, carbon dating, nuclear energy, and the foundations of diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine. Students will engage in discussions on the geopolitical, socioeconomic, environmental, and human health implications of nuclear chemistry.

Meeting Time: W 1–1:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This course explores the age-old question of power and memory: Who gets to say what the past means? Public memorials are not about what happened in the past; they are about the people who hold power in the present. Why else would the American landscape — not to mention the KU campus — be dotted with memorials and monuments around every corner? If we are indeed living in a society afflicted by a "memorial mani,” as Erika Doss suggests, this mania is driven by a widely felt conviction that the past offers an unmatched source of political and cultural power. 

Meeting Time: W 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This course uses science fiction movies to help students think more critically about contemporary society and culture. By analyzing popular sci-fi films, students explore the ideologies and beliefs that shape and reflect American life. A central question of the course is where science fiction movies suggest humanity is heading. As these films imagine future worlds, they reveal current cultural anxieties, social tensions, and persistent inequities. The course also examines whether these imagined futures are utopian or dystopian, and how much they rely on present-day assumptions or stereotypes rather than truly new ideas.

Meeting Time: W 1–1:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

The enslavement of Africans and their descendants marked a tragic period of the shared history of the Americas. Slavery and its aftermath remain a significant topic of discussion for the understanding of current race relations, economics, and politics throughout the hemisphere. Informed by historical, anthropological, and cultural studies readings, this course will look at selected films and novels from different American countries to discuss the varied ways in which history is portrayed in them, as well as to identify how they inform us about the past and present.

Meeting Time: M 10–10:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

This seminar uses the life and career of Taylor Swift as a mirrorball to reflect on American popular culture, celebrity, and fandom, and contemporary American life. We will explore several core topics within cultural sociology, including the construction of authenticity, symbolic boundaries and gatekeeping, fandom and fan labor, and celebrity politics. This seminar is organized into thirteen topic areas that roughly match Swift's career from a breakout country music superstar to her latest album release. Swifties and non-Swifties alike are welcome in this seminar.

Meeting Time: Th 11–11:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

Climate change presents a contemporary crisis that literature, broadly defined, increasingly grapples with — so much so that scholars now refer to “cli-fi,” or literature that examines the impacts of human-caused climate change during the Anthropocene. These impacts will be experienced disproportionately, and the social inequalities that will continue to ensue raise questions about justice and responsibility. In this class, we will examine fiction, nonfiction, and films that offer global perspectives on the climate crisis. We will address debates surrounding ethical human/nonhuman interactions and will reflect on the social and geopolitical conflicts that are heightened by climate change.

Meeting Time: Tu 12:30–1:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

Fashion photography is more than documenting clothes. It is a powerful cultural engine that shapes identity, desire, aspiration, and ideas of beauty. In this seminar, students will examine how fashion images construct style and influence the ways we see ourselves and others. Through readings, class discussions, guest visits from photographers and creative directors, and simple image-making assignments, we will explore the evolution of fashion photography from the earliest forms of image-making to today's global influencer culture. Together, we will analyze editorial spreads, advertising campaigns, runway imagery, and personal style posts to understand how fashion visuals circulate and create meaning. Students will produce short written reflections and hands-on photographic exercises that build confidence in both critical thinking and creative experimentation. This course empowers students to recognize fashion photography not as a niche industry, but as a major force in contemporary culture, communication, and identity formation.

Meeting Time: Tu 12:30–1:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

How does one define a "successful" life? How about a "successful" university career? How do scientists approach success and failure? In this seminar, we will examine the concepts of success and failure, broadly conceived. Group discussions will be our main activity, informed and inspired by short readings, multimedia resources, and visits to campus landmarks. Selected technical breakthroughs from science will be surveyed, as well as topics of campus and local interest, in order to showcase interdisciplinary perspectives on success and failure in human endeavors. In this context, the goal of this class is to foster creativity and forward thinking as students embark on their unique university journeys and careers.

Meeting Time: W 9–9:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

This seminar will consider the role that technological development played in the decision-making surrounding the Cold War. We'll discuss nuclear weapons development, the space race, the development of television, and the beginnings of computer technology, and how these influenced the Soviets and the Americans in their quest to demonstrate the superiority of their economic and social structures. The seminar will also highlight opportunities for students to engage in study abroad courses or related topics.

Meeting Time: M 1–1:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

"Virtuality is Reality" explores how immersive technologies, especially virtual reality (VR), can be used as a creative medium, a storytelling platform, and a lens for understanding contemporary issues. Open to students from all majors, the seminar introduces the fundamentals of immersive environments alongside emerging tools such as generative AI, building essential digital media literacy through hands-on activities and collaborative experimentation — no prior experience required. Students will work together to design a shared VR experience that communicates a meaningful idea, raises awareness, or tells a compelling story. By the end of the course, you will better understand how digital and virtual spaces shape perception, influence understanding, and create impactful experiences beyond traditional media.

Meeting Time: Th 12:30–1:20 p.m. (15 sessions)

What makes a speech stand the test of time? Or go viral online? A speech has the power to call out injustice, define a moment, change minds, and even inspire action. In this seminar we will explore the enduring qualities that make a speech "great" by watching and analyzing significant examples from politics, social movements, and public life, both historical and contemporary. If you feel inspired by powerful speakers, are interested in analyzing persuasive messages, enjoy exploring the possibilities of language, or want to learn how to give a great speech yourself by learning form the best, this class is for you!

Meeting Time: W 10–10:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

Agriculture is everywhere in our everyday lives! Most of the things we eat and wear — and many more unexpected items, like toothpaste, aspirin and even crayons — come from agricultural products. And agricultural practices have materially shaped and continue to shape the land we live on. In this course, we take a deep dive into agriculture in Kansas: its history, its present, and its potential futures. We do this not only by considering real-world agricultural systems, but also by exploring the ways that agricultural land, labor, and crops are represented in popular media. Through field trips, class visits, literature, film, art, advertising campaigns, music, and more, students will engage with material histories and cultures of agriculture and the ways it exists in our shared imaginations.

Meeting Time: W 9–9:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

We humans are animals, and food is a basic human need. We are bombarded every day with ads and news about the food we consume, how it affects our health, the environment, and those who produce our food. It's a lot to keep track of if we are trying to consume in a way that is better for us and the earth, in places near and far. This seminar will provide you with a geographic framework for understanding your own consumption, and you'll learn about and practice some ways of helping others think geographically about food to create a better world. Take this seminar if you want to learn how natural science, social science, and humanities approaches are all needed to answer questions about food and sustainability.

Seminar Instructors: RB Perelmutter

Meeting Time: M 10–10:50 a.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Emily Ryan

Meeting Time: M 3–3:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Bonnie Johnson

Meeting Time: Tu 11–11:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Thom Allen

Meeting Time: W 10–10:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Yvonnes Chen

Meeting Time: W 11–11:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Sean Gullickson

Meeting Time: W 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Alejandro Tamez

Meeting Time: Th 11–11:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.

Seminar Instructors: Stephen Jackson

Meeting Time: Th 2–2:50 p.m. (15 sessions)

This interactive seminar uses the University Honors Program’s Common Cause framework of connection, learning, and action to strengthen students’ relationship to the KU campus and community, provide professional and academic tools to support their progress, and demonstrate how to channel curiosity and creativity into meaningful action. Through the course’s integration of Common Cause, students will reflect on the local and global intersections of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, furthering their understanding with discussions, interdisciplinary exploration, and applied learning inside and outside the classroom. Enrollment is required and limited to students joining the honors program after one or more semesters of college study.