Spring 2026 Honors Explorations

Be the Change: How to be an Agent of Change in Your Life and Your Community

Dane Myers, Assistant Director, Stevenson Center for Community & Economic Development
Mondays, 3 - 5 pm; Location TBD

• January 26
• February 2
• February 9
• February 16
• February 23

This Exploration will focus on the concept of change, ranging in scope from individual to societal change. Students will explore various levels of change, the ripple effects of different changes, and what changes they would like to see in themselves and in the world. Students will learn about the Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, community building and organizing, restorative practices, and leadership and communication skills. They will learn how to apply this knowledge and these skills to their daily lives in order to better themselves and their communities. Finally, students will learn about organizations that are dedicated to making positive changes in communities such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and others.

Delving the Mind’s Dungeon: A Participatory Research Exploration of the Social and Psychological Outcomes of Dungeons and Dragons

Dr. Kelly Clemens, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Tuesdays, 4 - 6 pm; Location TBD

• January 27
• February 3
• February 10
• February 17
• February 24

Here there be dragons—and much more! This immersive course invites students to embark on an interactive journey through role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Together, we will uncover how role-playing adventures influence and transform social and psychological processes, from leadership and communication to critical thinking and creativity. Through hands-on experiences, students will create unique characters, participate in three role-playing sessions, and engage in dynamic discussions that connect gameplay to real-world concepts such as group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, social identity, and diversity and inclusion. Along the way, students will complete reflective questionnaires and written analyses to examine how their personal social and psychological processes evolve throughout the course. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a curious newcomer, this course offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of imagination, storytelling, and social science while gaining insight into yourself and the power of collaborative play. Are you ready to roll the dice and delve into the mind's dungeon?

This is a participatory research experience and students in the Exploration will provide data throughout the 5 weeks in the form of a workbook that will be collected at the end of the course.

Surf's Up: The History and Culture of Waveriding

Dr. Keith Pluymers, Associate Professor, Department of History
Tuesdays, 5 - 7 pm; Location TBD

• January 27
• February 3
• February 10
• February 17
• February 24

Surfing is a global pastime with people taking to the water anywhere there are waves (including here in the Midwest). More than just a sport, however, surfing has shaped popular culture for decades with music, film, and clothing/housewares to bring this coastal culture to a far wider audience. This Exploration will examine the history of surfing in Hawai'i, the mainland United States, and the wider world. We will then dive into film/video, music, and lifestyle. By the end of the Exploration, students may not be able to surf, but they will know much more about how and why people have and continue to ride waves.

From Bean to Brew: An Introduction to Specialty Coffee

Dr. Erol Sozen, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Wednesdays, 4 - 6 pm; Location TBD

• January 28
• February 4
• February 11
• February 18
• February 25

This Honors Exploration is perfect for anyone new to the world of specialty coffee. Students will explore coffee's fascinating journey from its origins in Ethiopia to its status as a global commodity, gaining a comprehensive overview of the entire supply chain. The course covers the core principles of coffee, including cultivation practices, variables that impact quality, sensory analysis, the science behind roasting, and the art of brewing. As a hands-on experience, students will learn to evaluate coffee using a professional sensory process known as "cupping," roast their own green coffee beans, and master the skills of pulling a perfect espresso shot and frothing milk. By the end of this exploration, students will have the skills to confidently prepare a variety of drinks, from pour-over and Turkish coffee to espresso-based favorites like lattes and cappuccinos.

Music Fandom, Belonging, & Identity

Dr. Eric Wesselmann, Professor, Department of Psychology
Wednesdays, 5 - 7 pm; Location TBD

• January 28
• February 4
• February 11
• February 18
• February 25

Music is an important part of many people’s lives. It helps them focus, relax and emotionally vent. Further, music fandoms and subcultures provide valuable spaces for people to express their individuality while also satisfying a fundamental need to belong. This Exploration provides you the opportunity to investigate different types of music fan cultures through class discussion, documentaries, and personal reflections; in learning about others’ diverse interests, you will also learn more about your own.

Make Art, Stress Less

Peggy Finnegan-Boyes, Teacher Education Assessment Coordinator, Lauby Teacher Education Center
Thursdays, 4 - 6 pm; Location TBD

• January 29
• February 5
• February 12
• February 19
• February 26

Artmaking in community settings can help reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and refocus attention to the present moment. Explore the ways that drawing and collage can transform the way you view daily life by creating 2D artworks in a group setting. Learn how artists find inspiration from different cultures, places and times, and how artists use moments from their everyday lives to create works of art. Students will create four small 2D artworks based on inspiration from daily life, one 2D artwork based on a visual artist of their choice, and a final project. Basic supplies will be provided, and no prior drawing experience is necessary.

Honors Service Exploration: Midwest Food Bank 

Stuart Palmer, Senior Honors Advising Specialist, Honors Program

• Thursday, January 29, 5 - 7 pm; Honors Program Building
• Thursday, February 5, 5 - 7 pm; Honors Program Building
• Thursday, February 12, 5 - 7 pm; Honors Program Building
• Thursday, February 19, 5 - 7 pm; Honors Program Building
• Thursday, February 26, 6 - 8 pm; Midwest Food Bank

The Honors Program values the chance for students to participate in service learning, as well as the opportunity to build a stronger community. While you’re on campus, Bloomington-Normal is just as much your home as it is ours, and as such we should promote community and service throughout the whole town. This Exploration includes four sessions to discuss the importance and relevance of service learning and giving back to the community, while also focusing on self-reflection as a way to facilitate personal growth. Following that, we will spend a Saturday morning volunteering with a local organization. In the spring of 2026, we will partner with Midwest Food Bank to learn more about hunger and malnutrition across the globe and provide hands-on assistance packaging food for distribution.

Due to the structure of this experience, students may only participate in the Honors Service Exploration one time; it may not be repeated.