Courses - NMU Honors

HON 101: MW 1:00-2:40
Dr. Jon Sherman
“Tolkien as Author and Scholar”
"The aim of this course is to use the twentieth-century author J.R.R. Tolkien as a focus to explore both medieval literature, and the writer’s own world-building and legacy. We will first examine those works which Tolkien taught, and which most inspired him, and then trace parallels between those medieval texts and Tolkien’s Middle-earth. This course does not presuppose or require any specific knowledge of Tolkien’s work. All the materials discussed in class will be required reading (either the required texts purchased at the beginning of the semester in the bookstore, or supplemental materials available in EduCat).


HON 111: TR 10:00-11:40
Dr. Sara Potter
“Course Title TBD”
Description TBD

HON 201: TR 12:00-1:40
Dr. Emily Romeo
“Freedom on Trial: The Supreme Court and Society”
This course will investigate the history of Western jurisprudence, beginning with its origins in the ancient world, and trace how fundamental theories about justice, morality, power, authority, and representation evolved through the Supreme Court cases that shaped American society until the present day. Students will work with historical sources, including case files, briefs, and court decisions, to answer questions regarding systems of law, who has had access to them (and crucially, who has not), and their impact on the Western world.

HON 211: W 5-8:20
Dr. Yan Ciupak
“Eastern Mind-Body Cultures and Practices”
This course explores the principles and practices of Buddhism, Daoism,  and Yoga, with particular attention to their perspectives on human flourishing. Students engage with these traditions through readings, discussion, and experiential learning such as meditation, Tai Chi, and Yoga.

HON 302: TR 4:00-5:40
Dr. Alan Willis
"Globalization in Perspective"
This course will examine the phenomena of globalization, examining its historical roots, its impact on the environment and food, health and disease, and economics and immigration. Students will come to understand not only the process of globalization but how it affects their daily lives.

Students successfully completing HON 101 (4 credits) and HON 201 (4 credits) will fulfill completely the “Perspectives on Society” component of NMU’s Gen Ed program. Students successfully completing HON 111 (4 credits) will completely fulfill the “Human Expression” component of NMU’s Gen Ed requirement. Students completing both these courses, HON 101 and HON 111, will fulfill completely NMU’s Written Competency requirement. Additionally, students who complete HON 211 (4 credits) will fulfill completely the “Integrative Thinking” component of NMU’s Gen Ed requirement (see the “Course Descriptions” section of the Bulletin). Optional upper division courses HON 301 (4 credits) and HON 302 (4 credits) each fulfill completely the “Social Responsibility in a Diverse World” component of NMU’s Gen Ed requirement. Note: Students must have a "C" or better in HON 101 and HON 111 to fulfill NMU’s Written Competency requirement.

These courses may be used to support the student’s major, minor, or Gen Ed requirements, but may not overlap with other Honors Program course requirements. Full Honors and Upper Division Honors students should complete 12 credits in upper-level HON courses and Honors contract courses. By agreement between academic departments and the Honors Program, qualified Honors Program students may enroll in existing 300-level or higher undergraduate department courses for Honors Program contract course credit. Prerequisites for selected courses must be met before enrollment. No later than the second Friday of the semester, the student must complete an Honors Program course contract in which different or additional coursework is specified after consultation with the instructor. Readings along with field, lab or studio work, and a paper, presentation or performance will be described in the contract. Students are encouraged to contact the professor during the preceding semester to ensure that the contract will be available. To earn credit towards the Honors Program, the student must earn at least a "B" in contract courses.

Download Honors Contract
Faculty Instructions for Contract Courses