Fall 2025 Advanced Honors Seminars

HON 205: Interdisciplinary Investigations

Section 1: American Democratic Backsliding

1st half of the semester; Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 - 11:50 am; Schroeder 214
Dr. Meghan Leonard, Politics and Government

Long upheld as the democratic ideal, American democracy has faced significant challenges in the past decade. From non-peaceful transfers of power to limitations on civil liberties, hallmarks of democracy seem to be weakening. This seminar will explore how the American democracy has changed at both the federal and state level.

We will examine the history of this country’s democratic systems and the ways in which they have failed to live up to the promise of its democratic ideals. In examining backsliding, we will focus on the effects on the political system, but also how these challenges effect race, income inequality, health outcomes, and other inequities. Students will also learn ways to engage with the political system and strategies to challenge those in power.

Section 2: Behind the Headlines: Responding to Turbulent Times in Public Education

1st half of the semester; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 - 1:50 pm; Stevenson 120
Dr. Shelby Boehm, English

Public schools are experiencing turbulent times. Headlines describing teacher shortages and book bans are just a few of the contentious issues facing teachers and students today. To understand these turbulent times, we’ll first read Samira Ahmed’s (2024) This Book Won’t Burn, a young adult novel set in central Illinois that responds to the contentious issue of censorship. Then, we’ll consider practitioner scholarship from various disciplines to learn additional responses to other contentious issues facing public education. Intended for preservice teachers from across grade levels and content areas as well as allies of public education, students will consider diverse perspectives on contentious issues in education and then respond to an issue of personal interest and investment applicable in their educational context.

This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed will be required for the seminar. It is available from Milner Library, the Normal Public Library, as well as Amazon.

HON 206: Innovation and Inquiry

Section 1: Essentials of Artificial Intelligence

1st half of the semester; Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 - 10:50 am; State Farm Hall of Business 0022H
Dr. Chiharu Ishida-Lambert, Marketing

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, students from all majors benefit from learning AI, including its history, technologies and tools, applied and advanced techniques, and limitations. The seminar aims to provide a solid understanding of AI beyond the popular tools, to provide a holistic perspective on where we've been, where we are, and where we will be.

The seminar will begin with topics in basics of Machine Learning, followed by Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Generative AI. Students will then be introduced to various AI-based tools and advanced techniques such as prompt engineering. Students will develop critical thinking as related to AI's role in society and ethical considerations.

HON 207: Leadership in Action

Section 1: Combat Leadership During Operation Iraqi Freedom

1st half of the semester; Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 - 9:50 am; Schroeder 384
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Krippel, Military Science

This seminar will explore leadership concepts during the most extreme human endeavor: war. We will examine leaders at the beginning of their careers with very little experience to draw on, with the majority of the leaders discussed being under the age of 30. By the end of this course, you will have gained a deeper understanding of military service and the War in Iraq, and most importantly, you will have developed a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles. The War in Iraq will be a byproduct of our examination of leadership and not a focus of the course. 

Students will read 30 pages from the book Black Hearts before each class, playing a key role in shaping in-class discussions. Each class will begin with context on the war and addressing any specific military questions from the reading. This will set the stage for student-led in-class discussions on leadership in the context of the assigned reading. The discussions will be structured to encourage everyone's participation and will be a safe space for sharing diverse perspectives.

Black Hearts by Jim Frederick will be required for the seminar. It is available from Milner Library as well as Amazon.

Section 2: Leadership with President Tarhule

1st half of the semester; Wednesdays, 2 - 3:50 pm; Hovey 419
President Aondover Tarhule

The Honors Program is excited that Illinois State's 21st President, Dr. Aondover Tarhule, will be teaching this seminar on leadership. 

HON 208: Culture, Context, and Identity

Section 1: Africa: Opportunities and Responsibilities

1st half of the semester; Wednesdays, 1 - 2:50 pm; Williams 308
Dr. Tom Buller, Philosophy

At the Berlin Conference in 1885 the leaders of a number of European countries met to "carve up" Africa - to decide among themselves the parts of Africa that each European country would have control. Over the next decades Africa provided European countries with enormous wealth and political power, but this was often achieved through the impoverishment and abuse of local populations. Since the end of the Second World War African countries have gained independence and a number of countries are emerging as economic powers.

The main goals of the seminar are to examine the past and present economic, political, and cultural relationships between a number of African countries and the Global North, the attitudes of contemporary Africans to the Global North, and to consider the current responsibilities of former colonial powers to provide reparations. The seminar will include African history and literature, as well as contemporary African films and music.