Honors Course Offerings Spring 2026
Achieve your potential with Motlow’s Honors Program! Our honors courses offer engaging topics, smaller class sizes, and opportunities to explore your passions in depth. Check out the full list of Honors Course Offerings below and find the perfect class to challenge and inspire you this semester! Learn more about Honors eligibility and benefits.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: T/R
Time: 11:00 – 12:20
Professor: Nathan Sweeton
CRN: 15876
Who loves to argue? Turns out, we all do! Arguing is as essential to human experience as breathing air, and we see it everywhere from advertising to social media posts to our favorite television shows, music, movies, and more. Spend the semester learning how arguments work, how to sort the strong from the weak, and how to craft better arguments of your own in academic settings and in professional careers. Students will interact with real-life arguments as well as craft various arguments of their own, which will then be shared with the professor and other students in class.
BIOL 1120: General Biology II
Days: T/R
Time: 9:30 – 10:50 Lecture
Lab: Online
Professor: Misty Griffith
CRN: 10621
In this hybrid course, students will examine and discuss the major characteristics of the kingdoms Plantae and Animalia. Engaging hands-on activities, including the observation of live specimens and preserved dissections, will provide students with practical experience and a deeper understanding of biology. This course is ideal for students interested in life sciences, zoology, botany, or pursuing careers in biological sciences.
BIOL 1510: Environmental Science
Days: T/R
Time: T/R 12:30–1:50, R 12:30–3:20
Dr. Janet Forde
CRN: 15570
This course will be focused on how humans and the environment influence and impact each other. We will be learning basic environmental science information and then discussing how that is used in the media. The class will also be taking trips to local facilities to see how the course concepts work in the real world and the consequences when things go awry.
ENGL 2045: Intro to Lit: Banned Books (Honors Seminar)
Days: M only
Time: 12:30–1:50
Professor Donna Brewer
CRN: 15880
This hybrid course emphasizes the reading and analysis of a variety of literary types as forms of cultural and creative expression with emphasis on the novel. The course focuses on texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts and perspectives that some may find controversial. Content advisory: Some reading assignments covered in this class include vulgar language, sexuality, issues regarding race, gender, violence, warfare, and other controversial subject matter. This course fulfills the Honors Seminar subrequirement.
MATH 1730: Precalculus
Days: T/R
Time: 9:30–12:00
Professor Tabitha Parker
CRN: 15887
Prepare for calculus with one course. In this accelerated math course, students will build a strong foundation in precalculus with an exploration into advanced mathematics. This course covers a wide range of topics, such as functions, equations, conic sections, trigonometric applications and many more! Students will explore problem-solving and various real-world applications using algebra and trigonometry.
PSYC 2130: Lifespan Psychology
Days: M/W
Time: 8:00–9:20
Dr. Stephen Guerin
CRN: 15891
This honors course is coded as a High Impact Practice Undergraduate Research course and emphasizes critical thinking and writing using research in psychological science. Students who complete the course may receive the Undergraduate Research designation on their transcript. In addition to the usual scientific content covered in this course, students will be coached in the research and writing of individual student research papers on an approved topic using American Psychological Association (APA) style. Students will learn the importance of peer-reviewed research published in professional psychological science journals and the use of various academic and scientific e-databases. Students will present their papers (either in-person or virtually) at the Honors and Undergraduate Research Symposium at the conclusion of the course.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: M/W
Time: 9:30–10:50
Professor Stuart Bloodworth
CRN: 10253
Our topic in this course will be Southern literature. We will read such great authors as Harriet Ann Jacobs, Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Tennessee Williams, and Flannery O’Connor. We will explore, in addition to the literature, the history and culture of the American South.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: T/R
Time: 9:30–10:50
Professor Stuart Bloodworth
CRN: 15561
Our topic in this course will be Southern literature. We will read such great authors as Harriet Ann Jacobs, Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Tennessee Williams, and Flannery O’Connor. We will explore, in addition to the literature, the history and culture of the American South.
HIST 2320: Modern World History
Days: T/R
Time: 11:00–12:20
Dr. Charles Wexler
CRN: 15879
In this honors history course, students will examine the development of modern world societies from the early 1500s CE through the present day. This honors section features the use of Reacting to the Past (RTTP) content. In RTTP games, students learn by adopting roles grounded in historical documents within games set in different historical time periods. This will require the purchase of an outside gamebook, but students will spend the final five weeks of the semester engaged in a game set in the 1900s.
MUS 1035: History of Jazz
Days: M/W
Time: 11:00–12:20
Dr. David Bethea
CRN: 15889
Honors History of Jazz is a course designed to familiarize the student with the many
facets and styles of jazz music. Prominent players and groups of each era will be
covered, as well as sociological, economic, technological and cultural factors that
have contributed to the development of jazz music.
Students will gain awareness, knowledge and appreciation for America’s only original
art form, jazz. Honors students will also pursue deeper analytical interpretations
of jazz music through the analyzation of jazz within an interdisciplinary context.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Dr. Dawn Copeland
CRN: 15299
This composition course is a close study of several great Gothic films and literary works. Students will write expository, evaluative, and research-based essays analyzing and responding to Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptations of Gothic literature, novels, short stories, and other selected contemporary films and literature that explore the paradoxes of good and evil, love and hate, and awe and fear. The professor will provide access to all course materials at no cost to the students.
ENGL 2235: Topics in British Literature
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Professor John Hart
CRN: 15300
Jump across the pond to England and meet the monsters! Grendel, the Green Knight, Mr. Hyde, Dracula, and others. This semester we will explore the lasting impact that English literature has had on the stories that we tell today in our own fiction and film.
HIST 2320: Modern World History
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Professor Ramona Shelton
CRN: 14419
In this course, students cover material from the Reformation period to the modern world. The honors dimension is a focus on scholarly research, writing, and presentation as students compose two scholarly research projects, one of which is the basis for their presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Upon successful completion of course requirements, students in Honors Modern World History will earn several High Impact Practice (HIPs) badges on their digital transcripts at graduation; these include Honors, Global Cultural Awareness, Technology Enhanced Learning, and Undergraduate Research.
SOCI 1010: Intro to Sociology (Harry Potter)
Days: TR
Time: 12:30 – 1:50
Location: Zoom
Professor Dayron Deaton-Owens
CRN: 11478
In this honors sociology course, students will study human relationships, groups, and society by connecting sociology to the Harry Potter series. Students will participate in class discussions conversing about topics ranging from crime, culture, inequalities, and politics/economics. Students will also compose reflection assignments connecting the Harry Potter series to everyday life in the world of sociology.
HONS 1001 / 1002 / 1003: Service Learning I, II, & III
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Director Jenna Caviezel
CRN: 13119 / 13120 / 13121
In this repeatable one-credit service learning course, students will engage in semester-long service projects that connect with their academic, professional, or personal goals. At the conclusion of the semester, students will reflect on the impact of those service experiences—both on the community and on themselves. This fulfills the Honors Service Learning subrequirement.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Dr. Dawn Copeland
CRN: 10269
This composition course explores the zombie as depicted in classic and contemporary films. Students will write expository, evaluative, and research-based essays analyzing and responding to the assigned films that depict the undead—or living dead—as representations of human anxieties/fears about the decline of social order and the loss of individual free will. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze the zombie as a narrative device that creates a blank space for viewers to fill with their own concerns and fears. The professor will provide access to all course materials at no cost to the students.
ENGL 2230: Topics in World Literature
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Professor John Hart
CRN: 15565
Come and feast at a literary buffet. Sample the literary cuisine of classical Greece and India. Dine on Dante's Divine Comedy and sample the haiku of Japan and the sijo poetry of Korea. This semester we will delight in literary dishes from around the globe and across the timeline.
COMM 2025: Fundamentals of Communication
Days: W only
Time: 9:30 – 10:50
Dr. Phyllis Adams
CRN: 14379
In this three-hour hybrid course, honors scholars will be afforded an opportunity to study communication skills, including researching, preparing, organizing, practicing, and delivering speeches to entertain, to introduce, to inform, to commemorate, and to persuade. Classes will consist of lecture, roundtable discussions, presentations, delivery critiques, and opportunities to enhance both one’s written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills. Scholars will have opportunities to study, witness, analyze, and critique student as well as professional speeches. There will be working sessions for students to research and prepare outlines, and opportunities to have outlines critiqued by the professor during this draft process. Scholars will have opportunities to enhance their listening skills through the use of guest speakers, videos, listening activities, and the like. As a means of global and diverse learning experience, a highlight for this class is to travel outside of the classroom to the world-at-large and engage in a professional environment, experiencing the total communication process utilized and demonstrated with inclusive excellence.
HONS 1020: Harry Potter and Popular Culture (Honors Seminar)
Asynchronous / No Class Meetings
Professor Nathan Sweeton
CRN: 15579
Take a magical journey through the books and movies of the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Discussions may focus on house sorting, potion brewing, charm casting, Quidditch, historic witch hunts, gated communities, human and non-human politics, the nature of good versus evil, bildungsroman, the hero’s journey, and owl post—all the while providing an academic analysis of why all these features of Harry Potter’s wizarding world have captured the attention of 21st-century popular culture. As a bonus, students may get the chance to visit the wizarding world in person as part of a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida (depending on student interests and costs). This course fulfills the Honors Seminar subrequirement.
BIOL 1120: General Biology II with Service Learning
Days: T/R
Time: 12:30–1:50 & 2:00–3:20
Professor Stacy Dowd
CRN: 15569
In BIOL 1120 Honors, students will examine the major groups of plants and animals. Students will engage in discussions of key characteristics of each of the major plant and animal phyla. Live examples will be used to showcase the different plant phyla, and comparative anatomy dissections of representative species will highlight animal classes. Emphasis is placed on the taxonomy, morphology, physiology, ecology, and evolution of these two kingdoms. This course fulfills the Honors Service Learning subrequirement.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: T/R
Time: 2:00–3:20
Professor Tom Cruz
CRN: 15877
Typically, English 1020 emphasizes independent and thoughtful research. Students are tasked with learning to find, evaluate, and synthesize different sources to draw new conclusions. Over the last several years, technological advancements have presented new avenues for accomplishing this task, and yet misinformation has never been more rampant. Drawing heavily on Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari, this course seeks to understand the modern challenges facing young researchers and scholars. We will not just be evaluating information—we will examine the networks that produce information.
ENGL 2045: Intro to Literature: Heroes & Villains
Days: M only
Time: 11:00–12:20
Professor Andrea Green
CRN: 15878
How do we define a hero? What makes a character a villain? This honors course will examine literary representations of heroism and villainy. Students will learn how these archetypes influence a reader’s understanding of the ideas, forces, and values that have shaped the modern world. Students will read various genres, including poetry, prose, drama, graphic novels, children’s literature, and fairytales. The class will engage in lively discussions about the works of Roald Dahl, Sandra Cisneros, Shirley Jackson, Alan Moore, Charles Perrault, William Shakespeare, and others!
ENGL 2900: Creative Writing I (Honors Seminar)
Days: T/R
Time: 11:00–12:20
Director Jenna Caviezel
CRN: 14840
In this honors seminar course, students will study works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. All class readings will be drawn from recently published literary journals via Journal of the Month, a specialized subscription service, rather than a traditional textbook. Students will also compose and workshop their own original poems, short stories, and personal essays and learn about the process of submitting their creative work for publication. This class fulfills the Honors Seminar subrequirement.
MATH 1730: Precalculus
Days: T/R
Time: 8:20–10:50
Professor Keith Terrill
CRN: 15888
For many students, the hardest part of any calculus course is not mastering the techniques of calculus—the hardest part is algebra. Students who take this course will experience a rigorous, all-in-one tour of functions, models, and problem-solving. Discover the very limits of what sorts of questions can be answered with only algebra, and ignite your curiosity about how else we can model and solve STEM-related problems.
PSYC 2130: Lifespan Psychology
Days: M/W
Time: 9:30–10:50
Professor Kate Hayes
CRN: 15892
Explore the science of human growth and change across the lifespan in this engaging honors-level course. You will examine the research methods, theories, and landmark findings that shape the field of developmental psychology. From prenatal development through old age, discover the key cognitive, physical, psychological, and socioemotional milestones—and the challenges that accompany each stage of life. As an honors course, you can expect in-depth discussions, critical analysis, and application-based assignments that connect theory to real-world issues. This class is designed to challenge your thinking, sharpen your skills, and deepen your understanding of the human experience.
THEA 1030: Introduction to Theater
Days: W only
Time: 11:00–12:20
Dr. Phyllis Adams
CRN: 11606
In this three-hour hybrid course, honors scholars will be introduced to the historical perspective of theatre, with a specific emphasis on over 100 years of theatre—changing stages from drama to dramatic realism. This will serve as the foundation for studying various genres, notable and classic plays, playwrights, venues, and artists. Scholars will be introduced to the mechanics of acting and characterization, artistic engagements and professions, stage space, rehearsal and audition techniques, and how to critically analyze and evaluate a play or theatrical performance. Various teaching techniques will be utilized: lectures, role playing, script analysis, roundtable discussions, watching videos, and unpacking characterization and performances.
The hallmark of this class is the opportunity for scholars to travel to New York City and experience Broadway up close and personal. The professor will provide scholars an opportunity to engage in a master class in New York, taught by professional Broadway actors and artists (playwrights, directors, artistic designers, etc.). This global, cultural, and theatrical student engagement will serve as a capstone project for the scholars.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: M/W
Time: 8:00–9:20
Professor James Stringfield
CRN: 15563
Our honors course will begin with a deep-dive exploration of persuasion, with critical examination of classic and modern arguments. We will also experiment with AI-generated advertisements, constructing them to appeal to specific target audiences. Our literature focus will revolve around an exciting, although sometimes bleak, genre: dystopias.
ENGL 1020: English Composition II
Days: M/W
Time: 12:30–1:50
Professor James Stringfield
CRN: 10276
Our honors course will begin with a deep-dive exploration of persuasion, with critical examination of classic and modern arguments. We will also experiment with AI-generated advertisements, constructing them to appeal to specific target audiences. Our literature focus will revolve around an exciting, although sometimes bleak, genre: dystopias.
ENGL 2130: Topics in American Literature (Honors Seminar)
Frontier Chaos: The American Story of Masculinity — Honors Seminar
Days: T/R
Time: 12:30–1:50
Dr. Capron Hedgepath
CRN: 15884
This course will examine the cultural, environmental, and biological forces that shape masculinity. It will also explore how the concept of the frontier, as a liminal space, has evolved throughout the arc of American literature as one of the most compelling vehicles for storytelling and the shaping of masculine identity. From the howling wilderness encountered during early colonization to the contemporary landscape of a zombie apocalypse, the frontier shows us how and why masculinity is not only an aspirational goal but a necessity for survival creating pro-social order out of chaos. This course fulfills the Honors Seminar subrequirement.
SOCI 1040: Social Problems
Days: M/W
Time: 2:00–3:20
Professor Liala Syler
CRN: 15566
Social Problems Honors provides a comprehensive study of the current social problems going on in our society today. We will study the process of how some issues become social problems in society, while others do not. The class will culminate with intriguing research into a social problem of your choice. This is an interactive and entertaining course!
HIST 2020: Modern U.S. History
Days: M/W
Time: 9:30–10:50
Dr. Monica Butler
CRN: 15572
This course covers modern American history from post–Civil War Reconstruction through the present. Students will explore key differences between fact and interpretation through analysis of primary and secondary sources of historical data. We will focus on building research and writing skills as we examine the formation of American identity and the nation’s global influence.
MATH 1530: Introduction to Statistics
Days: T/R
Time: 8:00–9:20
Professor Lindsay Czap
CRN: 15623
Want to perform statistics like a modern scientist? In this course, we will be discussing introductory statistics topics while learning to use the statistical programming language R. R software is free and open-source, making this language the preference of scientists, academics, and researchers of all fields. This course will help you discern between truthful and deceptive statistics in media, support you in creating your own statistical reports, and encourage your numerical curiosity—all while learning a programming language that you can directly apply to your field of study!
PSCI 1030: Survey of Physical Science
Days: M/W
Time: 9:30–10:50 & 11:00–12:20
Professor David Keating
CRN: 11996
This class aims to lay a solid foundation for any inspiring physicists—i.e., everyone. We will survey a wide range of topics from classical to modern physics. Join us as we work on a fun and engaging research project throughout the semester, which will culminate with presentations at the annual Honors and Undergraduate Research Symposium and beyond.