Honors Course Planning Guide 2026
Table of Contents
New Opportunities
GE-330H — All on-campus leadership roles that include a 1-credit GE-330 course earn Honors credits. Whether you’re already holding one of these positions, or making plans for the future, keep in mind that these positions help you earn Honors credits.
HN-200H: Vocation and Excellence — This 1-credit course is especially well designed for first-and second-year students for career prep, whatever your major. Don’t miss this opportunity if you can fit this 1-credit course in your schedule!
MicroInternships — Students tend to fill up their schedules each semester, but as you plan, keep in mind these new opportunities that offer some of the best options for career preparation. They are competitive, so there are no guarantees. Our best advice: register for at least one class that you could put off for another date; applications for these positions will be complete before the 10’h day of the semester, so you’ll be able to drop that class if you secure one of these exciting positions. Just as a reminder, here’s the skinny on MicroInternships:
- short-term — 6 weeks, 10 hours/week
- stackable — each project is shorter than a traditional internship, benefitting both students and
- project-based — because of the condensed duration, students and employers work closely together to define project scope and to dive immediately into meaningful, career-building work
- paid — fully funded by Whitworth donors or the employer hosts
- Whitworth-first — micro-internships are hosted by Whitworth alums and connections and offered only to Whitworth students
Jan Term
Expression Inquiry Group
EDU 266H – Honors Multi-Lingual Language Development (satisfies Comm & Context Credit)
Jan Term – MTWThF – 1:00pm-4:00pm – Melodie Workman
An introduction to instructional strategies for teaching Multi-Lingual and English Language Learners in the regular classroom and an overview of current programs and laws regarding the teaching of ELL students.
Science Inquiry Group
EDU 201H – Honors Educational Psychology (satisfies Social Science Credit)
Jan Term – MTWThF – 9:00am-12:00pm – Anna Thomas
Honors section of Educational Psychology with emphasis on applied research in educational psychology. A study of children and youth with a focus on psychology in the classroom. Developmental aspects (cognitive, social-emotional, moral, spiritual, and physical) and sociological challenges (abuse and neglect, substance abuse, poverty, familial discord) and their impact on teaching and learning are
MA 256H – Honors Elementary Probability and Statistics (satisfies Mathematics Credit)
Jan Term – MTWThF – 9:00am-12:00pm – Dr. Martha Gady
Using explorative data analysis and R to understand data using descriptive statistics, probability, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlation, and regression.
Upper Division Honors Courses
EL 350H – American Literary Journals
Jan Term – MTWThF – 1:00pm-4:00pm – Dr. Thom Caraway
Study the history and development of significant literary journals across American history. Students will gain an understanding of the role of magazines in the development of American literature, and practical insight into the administration and aesthetic concerns of contemporary magazines. Students will also research new developments in periodic literary publishing, including online magazines, print zines, e-books, and other digital environments.
HS 365WH – Evidence Based Health Science
Jan Term – MTWThF – 9:00am-12:00pm – Dr. Smokey Fermin
This course is an exploration of research design concepts, statistical techniques, and critical appraisal of literature within the Health Science fields. Students learn how to evaluate the credibility of relevant literature and media and learn to formulate novel research questions based upon the strengths, limitations, and gaps in current knowledge of various Health Science topics. Ultimately, an end goal is that students will be able to synthesize the evidence gleaned from these processes to determine best practice and appropriate recommendations.
Spring Term
Honors Courses
HN-200H-1-Vocation & Excellence
Tuesdays – 11:45am-12:40pm – Dr. Joy York
This course is intended help you prepare for next steps in your academic and vocational journey. This course will provide you with structured time and practical assignments that will enable you to achieve your goals. Guided by life-design principles that have emerged from Stanford’s Design Lab, we will complete numerous tasks and activities that assess our worldviews and imagine potential vocational avenues. We will begin developing networks beyond our immediate community and seeking viable ways to maximize our educational experiences.
HN-400H-1-Honors Exhibition
Fridays – 11:45-12:40pm – Dr. Bert Emerson
All George Whitworth Honors students will complete an individual project as part of their Honors curriculum. In this one credit class, you will bring your project to a successful close and prepare to present it to the public at this year’s Honors Exhibition. The overall purpose of this course is to provide support and guidance as you complete your project.
Belief Inquiry Group
TH 282H – Reading the Bible in the 21st Century (Satisfies Biblical Literature)
MWF – 9:05am-10:00am – Dr. Samantha Miller
Reading the Bible is a complicated thing. Many arguments Christians have about ethical issues boils down to different ways people interpret Scripture. But how to interpret the Bible well is a thing Christians have done differently in different times and places. If you’re curious about how to better read the Bible for yourself or just curious about why Christians have read the Bible in the different ways they have (or hope that there is an alternative to what you see in the media), come check out this class. We’ll start with ancient Christians (who think the Bible is not a rulebook but a story about Christ) and move forward to the present, examining how Christians have thought to interpret the Bible in all these different times, ending with making sense of why Christians today interpret the way they do. No background with the Bible necessary.
Culture Inquiry Group
EDU 267H – Culture & Context in Learning (Satisfies Culture & Diversity, U Tag)
MWF – 9:05am-10:00am -Anna Thomas
Exploration of the role of context and culture in how people live and experience educational settings. The influence of cultural and contextual diversity on academic achievement is explored along with the crucial skills for effective intercultural communication. Also included is the examination of one’s own cultural values, attitudes, and beliefs as they influence instruction and assessment practices used with P-12 students in the content areas. Includes a service-learning component.
EL 279H – J.R.R. Tolkien (Satisfies Literature & Storytelling, “G” Tag)
MWF – 11:45am-12:40pm – Dr. Thom Caraway
Introduction to the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Readings of his major literary works as well as folklore and medieval literature that influenced him and shaped his life as a scholar.
Expression Inquiry Group
EDU 266H – Multi-Lingual Language Development (Satisfies Comm & Context)
TTh – 12:50-2:10pm -Melodie Workman
An introduction to instructional strategies for teaching Multi-Lingual and English Language Learners in the regular classroom and an overview of current programs and laws regarding the teaching of ELL
EL 110H – Honors Writing and Design (Satisfies Written Communication)
TTh – 2:20-3:40pm – Dr. Peter Moe
An introduction to academic writing and research, with an emphasis on writing for real-world contexts and multimodal composition. Workshop and discussion format. Service learning.
EL 245H – Creative Writing (Satisfies Fine Arts)
MWF – 1:55pm-2:50pm – Dr. Nicole Sheets
An introduction to the craft and discipline of creative writing, including: Flash Fiction, Short Story, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Workshop approach will require students to engage with one another over their own writing and the writing of others.
COM 245H/445H – Applied Speech: Forensics (Satisfies Oral Communication or Comm & Context)
TTh – 3:50-5:30 Dr. Mike Ingram (must attain permission from professor)
A practicum course for students involved in the intercollegiate forensics program. An in-depth course in advanced public speaking and debating that may be repeated for credit.
Science Inquiry Group
EDU 201H – Honors Educational Psychology (Satisfies Social Science Credit)
MWF – 10:25am-11:20am – Anna Thomas
Honors section of Educational Psychology with emphasis on applied research in educational psychology. A study of children and youth with a focus on psychology in the classroom. Developmental aspects (cognitive, social-emotional, moral, spiritual, and physical and sociological challenges (abuse and neglect, substance abuse, poverty, familial discord) and their impact on teaching and learning are examined.
Upper-Division Honors Courses
COM 445H – Applied Speech: Forensics (Satisfies Oral Communication or Comm & Context)
TTh – 3:50-5:30 Dr. Mike Ingram (must attain permission from professor)
A practicum course for students involved in the intercollegiate forensics program. An in-depth course in advanced public speaking and debating that may be repeated for credit.
EDU-347H-1-K-8: General/Lang Arts Methods
Tuesdays – 11:45am-2:10pm – Professor A. Neary
This course presents methods and materials for elementary teachers. Observation and teacher assistantship in the public schools, microteaching, Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts and unit preparation utilizing appropriate teaching models based on learning theory, provide opportunities to reinforce course content. The various strands of language arts will be explored including: writing, listening, speaking, and reading. Candidates will gain familiarity with writing programs and methods for assessing student writing. Prerequisite: junior standing. Corequisites: EDU 341 and EDU 342. Also meets Whitworth’s oral communication requirement.
EN 487H – Engineering Design Project II
MWF – 1:00pm-2:50pm – Dr. Markus Ong – Prerequisite: EN 484
This is the second course in a two-course capstone design sequence. In this sequence students apply engineering procedures and practices to a comprehensive design project. Throughout both courses the students work in teams to create typical industry project documentation such as written reports, CAD models and drawings, engineering performance estimates, schedules and status reports, and oral presentations. Emphasis in the second course is on project completion. Typical work includes completion of design detailing, performance analyses, prototype construction, verification testing, and final reporting.
HS 365WH – Evidence Based Health Science
MWF – 8:00-8:55am – Cynthia Wright
This course is an exploration of research design concepts, statistical techniques, and critical appraisal of literature within the Health Science fields. Students learn how to evaluate the credibility of relevant literature and media and learn to formulate novel research questions based upon the strengths, limitations, and gaps in current knowledge of various Health Science topics. Ultimately, an end goal is that students will be able to synthesize the evidence gleaned from these processes to determine best practice and appropriate recommendations.
Any Step-Up Course in the Master of Business Administration Program
Speak with a Business advisor for details.
Additional Honors Credit-Bearing Opportunities
AR 499H – Senior Exhibition Project (2 credits)
TTh – 2:20-3:45 – Prof. Lance Sinnema
Required of all majors in painting/drawing, printmaking, graphic design, and three dimensional ceramics, sculpture, mixed media) art tracks. Students complete and exhibit original artworks.
PH 319H – Ethics Bowl (1 credit)
Various Times – Dr. Keith Wyma, Rebecca Korf
This course constitutes research and practice leading up to the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, Northwest Regional. It also includes competition. As a team, students analyze, present on, and argue ethical cases.
*For the courses below, contact Bert Emerson for details (dbemerson@whitworth.edu)
HN 386H – Honors Reading Course
Reading’s courses supplement a simultaneous (or recently taken) course which need not be an Honors offering. A faculty member and student agree to an appropriate number of texts (books, articles, online resources) for the number of credits offered. Public Presentation required
HN 390H – Honors Internship
Every internship can be taken for Honors credits, with the only additional step of completing a public-facing element in the form of a journal/blog for the internship. Make sure to check the box on the form when setting up the internship!
HN391H / HN 491H – Independent Research / Creative Projects
Students can complete this research or creative project by enrolling in a 391H/491H (one-to-three credit) course in any department or program. Supervised by a faculty mentor, students design their own research or creative projects. Faculty may also invite students to participate in research or creative projects.
Students should produce one or more of the following in response to the project: a researched paper; a journal/blog detailing the learning process in the project; a poster presentation; or a formal presentation for the department or for a regional conference.
Summer Term
Culture Inquiry Group
KIN-219H-OL — Sport and Film
Online — Dr. Kirk Westre
This course examines sport and its place in human life and culture through films that feature sport
Upper-Division Honors Courses
ENS-348H — Ecological Field Research
MTWThF — 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Dr. Grant Casady
Students design and carry out ecological research projects and learn sampling design, field research techniques, statistical analysis, and presentation skills.
