Our curriculum, The Honors Experience (T.H.E.) is an experience-based, highly customized curriculum to fit each student’s individual goals. Honors courses aren't necessarily harder than other courses taught at UTSA. Instead, they often include opportunities within a class for a student to learn new skills, receive certifications, do research, or do other forms of projects. All Honors courses will automatically populate in a student's DegreeWorks, so that they can see their progress toward T.H.E. Curriculum.

Our coursework listed below is offered in a variety of formats:

  • Courses offered by Honors College faculty - listed with HON Prefix. These courses are unlike any other offered at the university and are often interdisciplinary in nature.
  • Courses offered within academic departments as Honors Sections. These courses typically have smaller enrollments and project-based learning.
  • We also have a variety of non-Honors approved courses that count as an Honors Experience. These courses are typically upper-division research-based, performance-based, or creative arts courses.

*To see course descriptions, click on the course title.

Coursework Fulfilling Experience Requirements - Summer 2024

Course Section Title Time Campus Modality Instructor Fulfills
HON 3103 91T (35254) F 9:00am-11:15am Downtown Campus Traditional in-person Rodriguez, Victoria Service Learning

CITYMSTER: City Solutions

Have you ever wondered why there is not enough food in the wealthiest country in the nation? What can we do to prevent climate change? How about taking a deeper dive into larger societal systems that have helped create social issues that require volunteers? This course will allow you to re-examine your values in connection with social issue topics that affect our local and larger community. All while simultaneously getting your hands dirty, having difficult conversations, and deepening a connection with a community partner. The goal of this course is to develop relationships with community partners, critically analyze volunteerism, and examine your journey to becoming a conscientious citizen.

HON 3223 01F (33575) MTWRF 9:15am-10:45am Internet Online only, at set time Zenteno, Rene Interdisciplinary Seminar

HON Sem: Migration & Human Dev

This course will examine the relationship between international migration and human development. With a foreign-born population of almost 50 million, the United States is the country with the largest immigrant population in the world. Recent political events have brought a great deal of anti-immigrant rhetoric and attention to the negative impacts of immigration on the quality of life in this country. At the end of this course, the student will be knowledgeable of the historical context of U.S. immigration, understand the importance of human development as a concept and policy tool, and critically review empirical studies on the impact of immigration on the welfare of U.S. society. Students will learn from readings, lectures, documentaries, and class discussions.

HON 3233 001 (36790) MTWRF 10:00am- 10:50am Out-of-State Traditional in-person Mimi Yu Cultural Exploration

HON Sem: Japan

This field-based course aims at helping students deepen their understanding of Japanese society, business, politics, religions, philosophy, educational system through lectures, visits to various world heritage sites and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, and experiential learning on a team farm. The field experience will cover Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, and Osaka, 3rd largest city in Japan, to experience the contrasts of modernism and traditions that co-exist seamlessly in the Land of the Rising Sun. UTSA Honors Program in Japan video Disclaimer: Program content varies from one year to another and should only be used as a reference Contact lead faculty Professor Mimi Yu at mimi.yu@utsa.edu should you have any questions.

HON 3233 01F (36791) MWF 12:00pm-12:50pm Out-of-State Traditional in-person Devon Donohue-Bergeler Cultural Exploration

HON Sem: The Dresden Exper Study Abroad

This 30-day program in Dresden, a city that made Lonely Planet's 2023 list of Best Places to Travel, will give students an introduction to living in Germany, with experiential components related to living, studying, working, and culture. The UTSA course combines excursions, reflection, and an individual project tailored to students' field of study.

HON 3253 01M (36598) Does Not Meet Out-of-State To be arranged Engates, Karen Engaged Living

HON Sem: Natl Parks

This trip offers a life-changing learning experience in dramatic landscapes from the Colorado mountains to deep canyon country of Utah and Arizona. Students with a range of majors will join instructors with natural sciences and experiential education backgrounds to investigate how humans impact and value the natural world. On hikes and guided tours, in exhibits and sacred spaces, around campfires, river rafting, and riding horses, we confront key environmental and social challenges in these diverse natural and cultural landscapes. Using interdisciplinary and experiential approaches, students will explore the significance of aesthetic, ecological, historical, social, and even spiritual forces of our parks and why we need environmental stewardship leaders to protect them for the future. By participating in this program, students will earn a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. This program will also count toward Honors Requirements as an Engaged Living Experience.

HON 3263 01T (34710) Does Not Meet Main Campus To be arranged Villarreal, Jorge Professional Development

CITYMSTER: City Skills

City Skills is the internship component of Citymester. Placements are based on student career interests with current partners. Through the internships, students and community partners work together to strengthen our local businesses and institutions.https://honors.utsa.edu/programs/utsa-citymester/

HON 4403 91T (34709)
F 1:30pm-4:15pm Downtown Campus Traditional in-person Meyer, Krystel Interdisciplinary Seminar

CITYMSTER: San Antonio Seminar

Explore San Antonio and new urbanism is new and exciting ways. Learn directly from city leaders in various industries, critically examine some of the major issues facing the region, and explore several of the area’s most engaging sites. Become San Antonio savvy; learn the area, network with local officials, and develop urban living skills. See: https://honors.utsa.edu/programs/utsa-citymester/

Lower Division Coursework - Fall 2024

Course Section Title Time Instructor Campus Modality Fulfills
AIS 1203 026 (19645) MW 10:00am-10:50am Witt, Colleen Main Campus Mostly in-person, some online First Year Experience

Academic Inquiry (HON)

This course is a deep dive into the future, or more specifically, your future. What is it that makes you tick? What do you see in your mind’s eye as your perfect future life? What kind of job do you hope for and how well will it align with that vision? Will you need to make sacrifices, and if so, what kinds of sacrifices are you willing to make? How much money is enough, and what does ‘enough’ mean to you? Finally, for better or worse, artificial intelligence and automation are coming at us like a fast-moving train, and the chances that your career will be unaffected by this trend are slim to none. Will your job be augmented (helped) by AI, or will it be at risk of being replaced altogether? There is no need to fear the age of AI and automation, but you do need to think ahead and be prepared. This course is a deep exploration into your future and what it likely holds, and most importantly, provides the foresight and planning you need to shape your own destiny.

AIS 1203 H1H (19646)

T 1:00pm-2:15pm Newell, Michael Main Campus Mix of in-person and online First Year Experience

Academic Inquiry (HON): Globalization and the Global Community

While all Academic Introduction and Strategies courses seek to orient first-year colleges students to university life and their fields of study, this course goes further by examining academic debates surrounding the consequences of globalization, from culture, to the economy, to global politics, and ending with a look at enduring global challenges, such as climate change. Far from being of purely academic interest, globalization is a key part of the political, economic, and social struggles that determine what kind of world we live in, and this course serves as a starting point for understanding these challenges.

AIS 1203 H5H (19647) TR 10:00am-11:15am Cassill, J Main Campus Traditional in-person First Year Experience

HON AIS:PhD: The Other Doctor

A PhD, or doctorate, is the highest degree you can earn in the Sciences, and it requires a deep, long-term investment in research. This course is for students who are interested in a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences. Biomedical scientists from a variety of backgrounds explore the underlying causes of illness, enhance treatments, and develop technologies that can improve people’s health. Taught by Gail P. Taylor, the training specialist of several of UTSA's most prestigious pre-PhD training programs, this AIS course will be a deep dive into professional and academic development required for future PhDs. Students will have the opportunity to explore paths and planning resources for a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences, connecting coursework, science-related outreach, science writing and presentation, graduate school identification and funding, and individual plans for success. Since many great discoveries in the biomedical sciences have resulted from collaborations between biologists, physicists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, and psychologists, people in these majors are invited to take this course. This AIS course is not for premeds, unless they intend to get a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in addition to their medical degree. Questions? Email Dr. Taylor: gail.taylor@utsa.edu

AIS 1203 H6H (22441) TR 11:30am-12:45pm Taylor, Gail Main Campus Traditional in-person First Year Experience

HON AIS:PhD: The Other Doctor

A PhD, or doctorate, is the highest degree you can earn in the Sciences, and it requires a deep, long-term investment in research. This course is for students who are interested in a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences. Biomedical scientists from a variety of backgrounds explore the underlying causes of illness, enhance treatments, and develop technologies that can improve people’s health. Taught by Gail P. Taylor, the training specialist of several of UTSA's most prestigious pre-PhD training programs, this AIS course will be a deep dive into professional and academic development required for future PhDs. Students will have the opportunity to explore paths and planning resources for a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences, connecting coursework, science-related outreach, science writing and presentation, graduate school identification and funding, and individual plans for success. Since many great discoveries in the biomedical sciences have resulted from collaborations between biologists, physicists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, and psychologists, people in these majors are invited to take this course. This AIS course is not for premeds, unless they intend to get a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in addition to their medical degree. Questions? Email Dr. Taylor: gail.taylor@utsa.edu

AIS 1203 H7H (24477) MW 12:00pm-12:50pm Harrell, Katheryne Main Campus Mostly in-person, some online First Year Experience

Academic Inquiry (HON)

This course is designed to introduce students to a broad range of topics to gain an understanding of the complexity in the intersections between culture, human body, health, and disease. Using a global perspective, students are invited to embrace a biocultural perspective as they delve into an understanding of health and illness that goes beyond the biological dimension. Students explore key elements of healing systems including healing technologies and healer-patient relationships. Broad themes this semester include: 1. The biocultural basis of health; 2. A critical and interpretive analysis of sickness, health, and healing; 3. The role of inequity and the experience of health, and 4. The complex relationship between mental health and physical health. This course is an excellent choice for students going into health-related fields, the social sciences, and anyone looking to expand their thinking about the human experience.

CSH 1213 002 (20216) TR 4:00pm-5:15pm Meiller, Valeria Main Campus Traditional in-person Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

Plants in Our Lives

This class explores the significance of the vegetal world from a humanities perspective. We will study the historical relevance of plants as part of colonial expeditions, cultural exchange, their contribution to science and medicine, and the development of literature and the arts. We will depart from the consideration of plants as compelling living beings to open interdisciplinary conversations and multifocal explorations about what it means to inhabit this world. In a time of rapid degradation of fundamental green spaces such as the Amazon Rainforest and the advancement of climate change, we will tackle the historical, cultural, and environmental relevance of the vegetal world by uncovering the role of plants. The course will integrate contemporary theoretical readings on Plant Studies with digital resources from various libraries and collections, rare and unique materials from the UTSA Library special collections, and other primary and secondary literary and visual sources to engage in interactive vegetal explorations.

CSH 1213 005 (26166)   W 6:00pm-8:45pm Welchman, Alistair Off-Campus To be arranged Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

Philosophy of the Americas

This course is going to look at several aspects of the multiple intellectual cultures of the Americas. First, the class will cover a reconstruction of pre-contact Mexica or Aztec metaphysics and ethics. Second, it will address the contemporary views of an Ahnishinahbӕótjibway thinker, Wub-e-ke-niew. As Wub-e-ke-niew’s work shows, studying contemporary indigenous work has to address the impact of European contact and colonialism. We will look at some contemporary authors who explore the intricacies of the experience of traveling between different worlds (Lugones) and explore the ramifications of Mexica thought as a living tradition (Anzaldúa). And finally, we will directly address colonial theory in the work of Martinician philosopher Franz Fanon and apply it to understanding two pivotal events: the “Columbus” event and the Valladolid Debate.

CSH 1213 03H (20739)   W 1:00pm-2:15pm Gong, Deukhee Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

Exploring Korean Pop Culture

"Exploring Korean Pop Culture" is an honors-level course designed to immerse students in Korean pop culture. Through various themes including music, culinary, language, film, television dramas, fashion, and digital media, this course delves into the intricate layers of Korean cultural phenomena that have captivated global audiences. Students will engage in in-depth analyses of iconic K-pop groups, seminal Korean films, influential dramas, and the social, historical, and technological contexts that have shaped the evolution of Korean pop culture.The curriculum is crafted to blend theoretical exploration with hands-on engagement, offering students the opportunity to critically examine the cultural significance and global impact of Korean pop culture while actively participating in discussions, group projects, and experiential learning activities. Through a combination of lectures, screenings, interactive discussions, and other activities, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Korean pop culture and develop the analytical skills to navigate its complexities. No Korean language skills are required.

CSH 1213 04H (20378) TR 4:00pm-5:15pm Rushforth, Michael Main Campus Traditional in person Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

The science and practice of hu

"The Science and Practice of Humor" is an interdisciplinary course that explores the complex question of what makes something funny. Through the lens of various scientific disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, sociology, and anthropology, this course examines the cognitive and social mechanisms underlying humor.The curriculum is designed to split evenly between theoretical study and practical application. Half of the course focuses on the scientific exploration of humor, where students delve into theoretical frameworks, cultural and historical aspects of comedy, and the role of humor in everyday life. The other half is dedicated to the art and practice of humor, particularly through an improvisational course aimed at building confidence. Students will engage in step-by-step improv exercises designed to enhance their ability to think quickly, creatively, and humorously, culminating in in-class performances that put theory into practice.With a mix of lectures, readings, discussions, and hands-on activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the science and art of humor, and learn how to apply this knowledge in their personal and professional lives. This course is not just about studying humor from a distance; it's a hands-on, interactive journey that will equip students with the skills to create and appreciate humor in all its forms.

CSH 1213 05H (26167) Does Not Meet De Paula, Matias Internet Online only, no set time Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

Travel in Argentina

"Travel in Argentinais" a course that allows students to discuss the diverse culture, history, demographics, geography, and current events of Argentina by exploring multiple tourist destinations in the country. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, this course delves into the rich tapestry of Argentina's society, examining the unique blend of peoples that have shaped its identity.Students will embark on a virtual journey across Argentina, from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the serene landscapes of Patagonia, exploring the country's vibrant cities, stunning natural wonders, and cultural traditions. Through lectures, discussions, readings, multimedia presentations, and guest speakers, students will broaden their understanding of the country.

CSH 1214 06H (26240) T 4:00pm-5:15pm Watson, Robert Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Honors CSH 1213 (& Language, Philosophy & Culture Core)

Islands of Identity

Islands are small continents in miniature" wrote the French enlightenment philosopher and best-selling novelist Bernardin de St. Pierre. In this class, we follow the process of identity formation through the French-influenced archipelagos of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South Pacific, as well as cultural and linguistic islands of Louisiana and Quebec. Through fiction, films, food, and other cultural artifacts, we will trace the birth of creole identities that emerged out of colonialism and globalization.

HON 1000 0A1 (17329) Does Not Meet Lozano, Alegre Internet Online only, no set time Honors 101

Honors 101

A series of weekly, one-hour classes and peer coaching on how to excel in the Honors College. Taught by Honors College Dean and Academic Counselors. Each section has the same curriculum and instructors. Classes in the A section are offered during the first 8 weeks of the semester while B section classes are offered in the second 8 weeks. This is a 0 SCH course. Honors 101 is required and at no cost. Sign up on ASAP just as you would for any other course.

HON 1000 0B1 (19507) Does Not Meet Lozano, Alegre Internet Online only, no set time Honors 101

Honors 101

A series of weekly, one-hour classes and peer coaching on how to excel in the Honors College. Taught by Honors College Dean and Academic Counselors. Each section has the same curriculum and instructors. Classes in the A section are offered during the first 8 weeks of the semester while B section classes are offered in the second 8 weeks. This is a 0 SCH course. Honors 101 is required and at no cost. Sign up on ASAP just as you would for any other course.

HON 1100 001 (26087) R 4:00pm-4:50pm Meyer, Krystle Main Campus Traditional in person Interdiciplinary Seminar

Special Scholars Seminar F'24

 

HON 2301 0A1 (26088) Does Not Meet Instructor Not Assigned Internet Online only, no set time Civic Ethos

Civic Ethos

A weekly, one-hour course that covers different approaches, philosophies and ethics to civic engagement. This course introduces the primary ethos of the UTSA Honors College curriculum. Classes in the A section are offered during the first 8 weeks of the semester while B section classes are offered in the second 8 weeks. This is a 1 SCH course. This course counts as the Civic Ethos requirement in the Honors College curriculum.

HON 2301 0B1 (26090) Does Not Meet Instructor Not Assigned Internet Online only, no set time Civic Ethos

Civic Ethos

A weekly, one-hour course that covers different approaches, philosophies and ethics to civic engagement. This course introduces the primary ethos of the UTSA Honors College curriculum. Classes in the A section are offered during the first 8 weeks of the semester while B section classes are offered in the second 8 weeks. This is a 1 SCH course. This course counts as the Civic Ethos requirement in the Honors College curriculum.

WRC 1023 019 (11175)   T 8:30am-9:45am Ratcliffe, Lindsay Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Honors Requirement (& Communication Core)

Freshman Composition ll: Environmental Issues (HON)

In today’s argument culture, rife with partisan sound bites, how do we make our own voices heard? How can we move beyond “us-versus-them” language and build real common ground? This persuasive writing course invites you to research social and environmental issues (think climate change, environmental injustice, zoonotic disease, and others) through a rhetorical lens. It asks you to take a position on the issues you care about, and to consider how your audience’s values and beliefs—as well as your own—shape your stance. Perhaps most importantly, it calls you to consider how the best arguments involve both persuasion and truth-seeking. You will compose both written and oral arguments in the course, including an op-ed/commentary, a TED talk-style video presentation, and two researched academic essays. Prerequisite: WRC 1013.

WRC 1023 040 (24235) T 11:30am-12:45pm Ratcliffe, Lindsay Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Honors Requirement (& Communication Core)

Freshman Composition ll: Environmental Issues (HON)

In today’s argument culture, rife with partisan sound bites, how do we make our own voices heard? How can we move beyond “us-versus-them” language and build real common ground? This persuasive writing course invites you to research social and environmental issues (think climate change, environmental injustice, zoonotic disease, and others) through a rhetorical lens. It asks you to take a position on the issues you care about, and to consider how your audience’s values and beliefs—as well as your own—shape your stance. Perhaps most importantly, it calls you to consider how the best arguments involve both persuasion and truth-seeking. You will compose both written and oral arguments in the course, including an op-ed/commentary, a TED talk-style video presentation, and two researched academic essays. Prerequisite: WRC 1013.

Coursework Fulfilling Experience Requirements - Fall 2024

Course Section Title Time Instructor Campus Modality Fulfills
HIS 4603 002 (26256) TR 2:30pm-3:45pm Dilley, Jennifer Main Campus Traditional in-person Honors Elective

Migration, Democracy, and the American Experiment

From a variety of perspectives, this course will analyze the foundational principles of democracy and its intersection with migration, citizenship, and belonging. Students will explore these concepts by analyzing the origin of democracy and migration patterns throughout World and American History. This seminar will explore the themes of freedom and citizenship in ancient, early modern, and contemporary texts, including ancient Greek writings, 17th and 18th century texts in the Anglo-American tradition, and 19th and 20th century texts that bring the issues of earlier works into contemporary American context. Students will then apply this knowledge as they evaluate current policies and their relationship to government, freedom, and democracy.

HON 3233 010 (24060) MW 11:30am-12:45pm Webb, Mel Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Peace & Justice

How can peace and justice be most effectively pursued both personally and communally? Is peace primarily the absence of conflict or something more? To what extent is justice a process, an outcome, or an objective standard? By studying approaches to conflict transformation, restorative justice, and transformative justice, students will explore models for pursuing peace and justice in situations of conflict and in the aftermath of severe harms. Students will participate in a learning exchange with students at Dominguez State Jail as part of the UTSA Philosophy and Literature Circle. This course counts as an Interdisciplinary Seminar Experience in the Honors College curriculum.

HON 3233 014 (26221)

TR 1:00pm-2:15pm Halvaksz, Jamon Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem:Fantastic Maps:Mapping

If you stop to think about it, maps are everywhere: embedded in your phone, marked along the roadways, subways, trains stops, mountain paths, inside the buildings of UTSA, the mall, a department store, the worlds of gaming and fantasy, etc. We also create maps during our lives through paths we take; “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” proclaims Dr Seuss, one of many authors that remapped the world. From Tolkien to R.R. Martin to N.K. Jemisin to Google Earth maps tell stories. This course will focus on the way that maps shape our lives, and how we shape maps. Maps are fantastical as well as fantastic. This class will trace their histories, their power, and their realities.

HON 3233 015 (26223) R 1:00pm-2:15pm Gardner, Kirsten Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Medical Innovation

Medical Innovation will explore the historical, cultural, social, and economic context that has intersected with great medical moments. Students will have the opportunity to explore innovations of the most recent century including the discoveries of drugs such as insulin and penicillin; medical ideas such as disease, wellness, and medical monitoring; and medical systems informed by technology and AI. Class readings and research will include scholarly texts and biographies as well as fictional narratives framed by ideas of medical transformations of the past and possibilities for medical innovation in the future.

HON 3233 016 (26224) TR 10:00am-11:15am Sarafrazaarpatapeh, Lida Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Medicine in Philosophy

"What do philosophers say about medicine? How do they distinguish between health and disease? How do they define death? Why are there controversies about the concept of disability? What's philosophical about medical gaslighting? Can medicine be free from the biases? These questions and more will be discussed in this class. The goal is not to find the ""right"" answer but how to argue and listen to arguments about these topics. This dialogue-based class will help you to use philosophical ideas and tools of critical thinking to have a deeper understanding of medicine in philosophy."

HON 3233 018 (26303) TR 10:00am-11:15am DeLeon, Abraham Internet Online Synchronous Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Let Live, Make Die

We begin with a simple question: who must live and who must die? We will explore this by investigating topics such as life, death, torture, biopower, and the boundaries of the body. We will move across historical eras and geographical locations, from ancient Roman ideas on life, medieval conceptions of torture and death, and indigenous perspectives on the nature of the cosmos that links all of life on this planet. Join me for a provocative course on exploring the limits of life and death.

HON 3233 017 (26226) W 1:00pm-3:35pm Santos, John Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Creative Paranormal

How do writers tell stories about experiences and phenomena that defy explanation, and seem impossible? Stories of personal experiences, apparitions, encounters with ghostly presences or non-human entities, sightings of anomalous aerial phenomena abound in every cultural tradition. How do we prepare to write about such things? Using literature, history, media, and weekly writing practice, this seminar will develop strategies for creating narratives that confront the impossible.

HON 3253 002 (11081) W 1:00pm-3:35pm Hernandez, Hector Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Medical Gross Anatomy

Imagine caressing a human femur in your hand and examining the delicate bony prominences where human flesh once anchored a human being’s movements. Gross Anatomy examines the form and function of the human body at a macroscopic level. This course offers a uniquely immersive opportunity for students to appreciate the human body, replete with state-of-the-art technologies, including virtual reality that offers a fascinating 3D perspective of the human body’s anatomical architecture. The gross anatomy lessons will be buttressed with guest practicing physicians who will assess the anatomical skill level of the students, nephrology nurses, who will humanize the growing chronic kidney disease epidemic, which will reinforce the lessons in renal anatomy, mortuary science professionals, that will present a unique embalming perspective that will highlight the different tissues of the human body, and medical ethicists that will discuss the timeless value of the altruistic acts of those who have donated their bodies for the furtherance of medical knowledge to truly appreciate the meaning of the words Mortui Vivos Docent. Enrollment requires faculty approval. Email Dr. Hernandez (hector.hernandez@utsa.edu) to request approval.

HON 3253 003 (16776) MWF 11:00am-11:50am Witt, Colleen Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Paradox, Paradigm Shift, and Revolutions in Science

The 20th century arguably saw the most revolutionary developments in all the history of science. Newton’s world of absolute space and time was replaced with the radical new universe of Einstein and his mind-bending theory of relativity. Just as scientists were beginning to wrap their heads around dramatically new concepts of space and time, the quantum physics revolution exploded onto the scene. The lessons of these golden years of physics challenged (and continue to challenge) our most fundamental assumptions of science and of the very nature of reality. Revolution was not restricted to physics; the 20th century also saw enormous leaps in biology, and by the end of the 20th century the stage was set for yet another paradigm shift. Today we are in the midst of a major sea change in the life sciences. Previously unquestioned assumptions are being re-evaluated as new fields have emerged to tackle the most daunting questions as to the nature of complexity and of consciousness, opening the door to a new view of man and his place in the cosmos. This course is ideal for the non-science major who seeks to develop a better understanding of science in general, while exploring an unprecedented century of discovery. It is equally suited to the science major who wishes to delve into the history and philosophical implications of modern science.

HON 3253 004 (24061) M 1:00pm-3:45pm Forsthuber, Thomas Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdisciplinary Seminar

HONSem: Intro To Clinical Med

Mankind has endured human diseases for thousands of year. However, the past 100 years have brought on an explosion in our understanding of the mechanisms of human diseases fostered by revolutionary techniques such as molecular biology, clinical imaging, and gene therapy, and we have found many new ways to treat them. This honors course is designed as an introduction for students interested in human health into the world of clinical medicine and the pathology of important human diseases. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about basic pathological mechanisms of human diseases at the level of the cells, organs, and organ systems, and how to recognize these diseases and current treatments. Requirements for this course are a sharp mind, compassion, and willingness for active participation. It may just happen that after this course you may want to become a health care worker or a clinical researcher.

HON 3261 001 (26092) T 6:30pm-8:00pm Fleuriet, Kathryn Main Campus Traditional in-person Professional Development

HONProfDev: Learning to Lead

What’s your leadership philosophy? How would you lead if you were the San Antonio mayor? The Bexar County judge largely responsible for decisions about major league sports and what hospitals can be built? In this 1 SCH discussion based course, students learn with HCaP Dean Cossman, Vice Provost for Honors Education Fleuriet, and Judge Nelson Wolff about San Antonio’s civic leadership and their own approaches to leadership. With discussion and feedback from current and past city and university leaders, students will develop their own leadership philosophies to guide their future careers and lives.

HON 3263 901 (16771) R 11:30am-12:45pm Amatangelo, Gina Downtown Campus Mix of in-person and online Professional Development

HONProfDev: Making The Leap

Students develop a career portfolio, do a Group Mock Interview, attend career events, and complete informational interviews with professionals in their field. A portion of the course would be devoted to skill building for success once they've been hired: research, writing, communications, workplace conflict resolution, etc. I would likely develop a community based research option for the experiential component.

HON 3313 001 (24062) TR 10:00am-11:15am Hauck, Amy Main Campus Traditional in-person Intellectual Achievement and Research

HONIntAch:StorytellingForLife

We are utterly shaped by the stories we hear, and the stories we tell. It has been said that while there have been great societies that did not use the wheel, there have been no societies that did not tell stories. During the semester we will explore stories at UTSA from students, faculty and staff as way to study the human experience, cultivate empathy, actualize identity, preserve history, provide social testimony, encourage social responsibility, and generate knowledge through engaging and sharing narrative. Special emphasis will be given to cultivating the skills of interviewing, transcription, script writing/creative writing, editing, and storytelling in the oral tradition. The final project for this course will be live performances of the students’ original creative work, engaging with a local elementary school. No prior experience necessary.

HON 3313 002 (26093) T 4:00pm-5:15pm Fleuriet, Kathryn Main Campus Mix of in-person and online Intellectual Achievement and Research

HONIntAch:WhatItMeanstoBelong

What does it mean to belong? How can identity shape how and where you feel like you matter? Explore these topics while learning qualitative methods of research, with a focus on cultural anthropology. Cultural anthropology is all about experiencing the world, and its data collection techniques include photo and go along walks, multisensory participant observation, virtual ethnography, and narrative and life history interviewing. You’ll try out all of these methods and more in your own research projects on one of your own identities. You’ll also use your new expertise to help the Honors College design a college-wide research project on student experiences of wellbeing, belonging and mattering.

HON 3403 001 (21869) MW 10:00am-11:15am Glover, Kalia Main Campus Traditional in-person Cultural Exploration

HonCultExpl: Sex,Gender& Repr

What is culture? Who "belongs" in U.S. culture? Who does not? How do you know? In No Shame, students will examine how cultural attitudes toward sex, gender and race are made visible through advertisement, comic books, television and film, and other mediums. We will also investigate how those manifestations create and affirm social expectations of behavior and identity and how groups outside of those expectations historically create cultures of their own. Topics include, but are not limited to consent, Hip-Hop, ideas of God, the "Cult of Domesticity", Drag, and intersections in between.

HON 3403 002 (26094) W 6:00pm-8:45pm Schwegler, Tara Main Campus Traditional in-person Cultural Exploration

HonCulExpl: The Daily Grind

Did early humans work? Do all societies have a hustle culture like the US? What will future jobs look like? Why are certain forms of work valued more highly than others? By the end of our working lives, many of us will have spent more time at work than anywhere else, but the definition, meaning, and purpose of work varies widely over time and across cultures. This class is a rigorous interrogation of the concept of work in contemporary America in which we will explore what work means, why it exists, and what it will look like in the future using classic and contemporary social scientific texts. As we consider the meaty issues about work and humanity, we will also delve into the practical dimensions of work–the unspoken rules, hidden codes, and implicit norms of the workplace–so that students can have more fulfilling experiences in the workforce.

HON 3503 002 (16207) M 1:00pm-3:45pm Lozano, Alegra Main Campus Traditional in-person Engaged Living

HonEngLvg:Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is not Halloween. It’s a lavish multi-day celebration of remembrance to honor loved ones who have passed. This course will use the study of Dia de Los Muertos to explore cultural and psychological themes of grieving and remembrance customs, as well as it’s sharp rise in modern popularity, and the commodification and commercialization of tradition. Interactive course materials include videos, movies, online courses and readings, site visits, guest speakers, and a class creation of an ofrenda display for the university and San Antonio community. Students will have the opportunity to gain skills in project management, cultural preservation, research, program development, and creative innovation. This course does not have prerequisites, and is open to all majors.

HON 3503 003 (21870)

Sa 1:00pm-3:45pm

 Howard, Joseph

Out-of-State Traditional in-person Engaged Living

HonEngLvg:Costa Rica

Meet a red-eyed tree frog, a blue morpho butterfly, and a blooming a bird of paradise. Learn and practice sustainable farming and yoga in the tropical rainforest! Our ten-day international experience (August 11-20) gives students the opportunity to learn and practice intentional and sustainable living on a working agro-ecological ranch on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica. Our destination is Rancho Margot: www.ranchomargot.com, where students will be hands-on with the biodiversity of the rainforest, renewable energy systems in practice, and mind-body experiential learning. The goal of the course is to immerse students in different approaches of what it means to live intentionally and sustainably in local and global communities. We will return to San Antonio just in time for the start of Fall classes, reconvening for the first Saturday afternoon each month of the semester to explore sustainability, mindfulness, and other kinds of intentional living in San Antonio. These afternoons have taken us to events, organizations, and places like Siclovia, Compassionate San Antonio, Confluence park, Gardopia Gardens, and Yoga in the Park. Subsidy by Honors College and the Alvarez International Study Fund means that the program cost of just $500 is inclusive of air fare, in-country travel, lodging, and meals.

HON 3223 001 (26297) TR 2:30pm-3:45pm Bradford, Natalie Main Campus Traditional in-person Interdiciplinary Seminar

Health Equity & Social Justice

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) declared racism a public health issue - something many communities have long known, experienced, and fought. In this class, we examine racism as a public health issue to better understand the connection between health equity and social justice. First, we will describe concepts and theoretical frameworks related to health equity. Next, we will assess social determinants of health equity with a focus on structural factors like capitalism, colonization, and racism. At the same time, we will discuss past and present social justice efforts that aim to dismantle inequitable systems, improve public health, and imagine new ways of being. Although social justice work is not always framed as health equity work, we will examine how calls for justice like affordable housing, guaranteed income, and police and prison abolition can help us achieve health equity. Throughout our class, we will think about the ways racism operates to influence our society, public health, and what we know about health justice.

HTH 3663 002 (25320) Does Not Meet Wilmoth, Summer Internet Online only, no set time Honors Elective

Program Planning and Evaluation

Ever considered planning programs capable of transforming a population’s health and genuinely impacting people’s lives? Interested in acquiring transferable skills that enhance your career and day-to-day life? In an era emphasizing health and well-being, there's a growing demand for well-crafted health promotion programs optimized to address community needs. This course unpacks the intricate processes behind these successful health interventions, guiding students through program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students will gain knowledge and practical skills in assessing community needs and capacity, planning and designing health promotion programs, implementing plans and monitoring progress, managing resources, evaluating outcomes, and communicating results. The course culminates in a final project, where students craft a health promotion program, develop a grant proposal, engage in peer review, and present their concept to a panel of "potential funders." Are you prepared to influence community health, boost well-being, and foster positive change?

HTH 4953 001 (26293) TR 11:30am-12:45pm Bradford, Natalie Main Campus Traditional in-person Honors Elective

Health Equity & Social Justice

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) declared racism a public health issue - something many communities have long known, experienced, and fought. In this class, we examine racism as a public health issue to better understand the connection between health equity and social justice. First, we will describe concepts and theoretical frameworks related to health equity. Next, we will assess social determinants of health equity with a focus on structural factors like capitalism, colonization, and racism. At the same time, we will discuss past and present social justice efforts that aim to dismantle inequitable systems, improve public health, and imagine new ways of being. Although social justice work is not always framed as health equity work, we will examine how calls for justice like affordable housing, guaranteed income, and police and prison abolition can help us achieve health equity. Throughout our class, we will think about the ways racism operates to influence our society, public health, and what we know about health justice.

MS 3053

007 (22635) MW 6:00pm-7:15pm Leung, Mark Main Campus Traditional in-person Honors Elective

Management Science and Operations

Coming Soon

STA 4803 001 (25992) TR 4:00pm-5:15pm Han, Donghoon Main Campus Traditional in-person Honors Elective

Statistical Quality Control

Prerequisite: The course has no prereqs and is open to anyone interested, especially engineering, science, and business students. If there is a registration issue, a waiver should be requested to the instructor. Description: Engaging with the challenges inherent in reliability engineering and control of the manufacturing processes, students will explore the fundamental nature of quality and its profound implications for industrial sectors. This course offers students a transformative educational experience that goes beyond the theoretical, preparing them to not only understand but actively apply, execute, reflect, and iterate various statistical tools and techniques (such as control charts and acceptance sampling plans) for quality improvement in manufacturing and service operations. Along with development of the software skills in R, Python, or SAS JMP, emphasis is given to both the technical and managerial issues in understanding and implementing quality as a component for success in today's industry. (equivalent to MS 4363 and MAT 4803. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: STA 4803, MS 4363, or MAT 4803.)

WRC 4123 001 (19262) R 10:00am-12:45pm Abdo, Diane Main Campus Traditional in-person Skill Development

Cook.Eat.Write.Repeat. (HON)

Why spend time watching cooking shows when you can create your own cooking experiences? "Cook. Eat. Write. Repeat." (WRC 4123) provides the setting for you and your fellow chefs (read: classmates) to plan the menu, kitchen-test the recipes in the UTSA Rec Center Demo Kitchen, and then write, design, and produce a customized cookbook. And then there's the 15 minutes of fame as you star in your own cooking segment hosted by The Paisano's YouTube channel. You may not be able to create culinary masterpieces, but you'll create a semester of memorable cooking and writing experiences. Bon appetit! This course counts as a Skill Development Experience.

WRC 4123 003 (26265) W 10:00am-12:45pm Ratcliffe, Lindsay Main Campus Traditional in-person Engaged Living 

Growing Our Own (HON)

What can a garden grow? In this course, we’ll cultivate answers together. We will visit community gardens across the Alamo City, exploring how they are addressing food insecurity and inequity within neighborhoods, on school campuses, and beyond. We will meet and interview leaders in the local food movement, work hands-on at an established garden or urban farm, and investigate how local gardening intersects with global environmental issues. Through discussions and reflective journaling, we will consider the possibilities and challenges of small-scale gardening to address these large-scale problems. By the end of the semester, you will complete a project (e.g., a short film, podcast episode, a policy proposal, or advocacy campaign) that answers the question that started the course: what can a garden grow?

Course Modalities

*Courses can be conducted online asynchronously or synchronously, offline face-to-face, or as a hybrid of both online and offline types. Synchronous courses will meet online at a regular schedule while asynchronous courses will have you complete the online course material at your own pace. Face-to-face courses will be conducted in person on campus. A hybrid class combines both online and offline course types. Hybrid classes may be denoted with an x/y notation where the class meets in person for x days out of the ASAP-scheduled y days. The remaining days are conducted online asynchronously. All summer courses will be conducted online, with hybrid summer courses mixing both synchronous and asynchronous class types. For more information on modalities https://onestop.utsa.edu/registration/class-schedule/modality/

Honors Counselor meeting with student

Apply to Honors College

Admission to the Honors College is offered to a select number of highly motivated and successful students who wish to take charge of their education and achieve their highest potential at UTSA.