IDH 1040   Honors Core: Humanities

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Honors Core courses establish the foundation of the academic experience unique to the Honors program at the University of West Florida. This course focuses on the notion of the "the human" as it emerges in Western thought, and includes elements of the Western canon. Students enrolling in this course should be interested in a broad array of subject areas related to the theme of "the human" and possess the social and intellectual maturity required to address complex and controversial topics with objectivity and respect for others. Offered Fall Semester only. Meets College-Level Communication Skills Requirement.

IDH 1041   Honors Core: Social Sciences

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Honors Core courses establish the foundation of the academic experience unique to the Honors program at the University of West Florida. In Honors Core: Social Sciences, students will explore the philosophical underpinnings of community and investigate the distinctive features of Western and Eastern notions of communal life. This foundation will prepare students to address those features of modern society that threaten community. Specific attention will be given to various threats to community, including climate change, radicalism and globalization, mass society and suburban sprawl, lawlessness and violence, technology and social networking, and collective action problems. Students then will consider the ways in which citizens can benefit from engaging their communities of interest, can foster more meaningful civic life, and can provide leadership to build a better future.

IDH 1043   Honors Core: Natural Sciences

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

In this course, students will explore what it means to be a human in the biosphere while utilizing a strong emphasis on cultivating new methods of thinking and communicating ideas. This is an interdisciplinary course which involves engaging and enriching class discussions, in-depth thinking, reasoning, and active research to form the foundation of the academic experience unique to the Kugelman Honors Program. This course will focus on human literacy and natural variation: awareness and understanding of the fundamental concepts about what it means to be a human and our interaction with the biosphere. We will explore how humans interact with their various environments, from biological and social to economic and physical. Our mission is to demystify and humanize science in an open conversation that instills passion, awe and responsibility for humans and the Earth. Meets College-Level Communication Skills Requirement.

IDH 1703   Foundations of Leadership

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

This course provides an opportunity for students to consider leadership in the American sociocultural context. Students explore primary texts in political philosophy and American political rhetoric to better understand the undergirding principles and values of democratic life and to effectively lead in this specific cultural milieu. Additionally, the course exposes students to the humanities and social etiquette so that they can navigate the communication settings they will confront in the real world. Students will engage in discussions of leadership rhetoric, strategy, ethics, and personal leadership philosophies while developing key leadership skills such as communicating effectively, articulating vision, team building, and ethical decision-making.

IDH 2905   Directed Study

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)

IDH 3042   Honors Core: Systems Thinking and Interdisciplinary Research

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Required Honors core class for all transfer students and non-freshman students entering the Kugelman Honors Program. This course employs inter- and multi-disciplinary teaching strategies to teach undergraduate research skills, problem solving, and critical thinking. Students will be introduced to Honors pedagogy at UWF and to the many resources offered by the Honors Program. Course topics may vary, but will focus on issues of global importance (such as climate change). Meets College-Level Communication Skills Requirement.

IDH 3055   Honors Thesis Research Methods

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

This course helps students understand the thesis-writing process and covers the basic research methodologies required to begin a thesis project. Each week, we will address one important step in the thesis process, starting with the question, "What is a thesis?", and finishing with the submission of a completed thesis prospectus and annotated bibliography (aka a literature review) of sources relevant to the student's chosen topic. Along the way, we will cover important areas such as choosing a topic , approaching an advisor, scholarly research methods, time management, and thesis presentation requirements. The class is conducted as a collaborative, hands-on workshop and thus provides a strong level of peer-support for students just beginning work on their theses. The goals of the course are to demystify the thesis process, prepare students to write a successful thesis, and provide intellectual and moral support throughout the early thesis-writing process. Department Permission required. Offered Spring only.

IDH 3701   Service-Learning and ePortfolio Development

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

In this course, students will explore professionalism, service, and ePortfolio development. Students will focus on professional development, how to market themselves online, on paper, or in person, to help them succeed in their career post graduation. Additionally, this course will emphasize the importance of building ePortfolios across various platforms that are effective, aesthetic, and professional. Finally, students will develop an understanding of the Kugelman Honors Program’s service and ePortfolio requirements.

IDH 3708   Leadership in Theory and Practice

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: IDH 1703

This course explores the principles and practices of effective leadership within community settings. Students will engage with classical and contemporary leadership theories, applying them to real-world contexts. Emphasis will be placed on interpersonal dynamics and rhetorical strategies as essential tools for mobilizing people, resources, and ideas. The course also addresses conflict management and ethical decision-making, equipping students with frameworks for navigating complex interpersonal and organizational challenges. To bridge theory with practice, the course features a series of guest speakers representing a broad spectrum of community leadership—from local nonprofit directors to executives in major organizations. These firsthand accounts will give students a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the diverse ways leadership is exercised across sectors.

IDH 3905   Directed Study

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)

IDH 3916   High Impact Experience

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1-3 sh (may be repeated for up to 3 sh of credit)

High Impact Experience provides students in the Kugelman Honors Program with the opportunity to collaborate with individual instructors to create advanced learning experiences tailored to their needs and interests. Students and instructors will determine specific learning outcomes to add to an existing upper-division course or will develop a new, unique experience together. Students will be responsible for submitting a formal description of the expectations for final approval to the Kugelman Honors Program Associate Director.

IDH 3940   Internship and ePortfolio

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 6 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: IDH 3708

This course will provide students with direct connections to professionals in their desired field through internship placements, while also enhancing their professional presence and workforce readiness through the development of their ePortfolios. Students will explore topics that will develop skills needed to find success post-graduation, including networking, interviewing, personal branding, and ePortfolios. Through the internship element of the course, they will have the opportunity to practice these skills in real-world applications. By the end of the course, students will have developed an effective ePortfolio and gained career-specific experience to better prepare them to grow into professional leaders post-graduation.

IDH 4030   Honors Seminar: Topic I

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4031   Honors Seminar: Topic II

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4032   Honors Seminar: Topic III

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4033   Honors Seminar: Topic IV

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4034   Honors Seminar: Topic V

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4035   Honors Seminar: Topic VI

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4036   Honors Seminar: Topic VII

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4037   Honors Seminar: Topic VIII

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors program only.

IDH 4038   Honors Seminar: Topic IX

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

3 sh (may be repeated for up to 12 sh of credit)

Specific Topics will vary; see the Director of the University Honors Program for current offerings. Enrollment in Honors Seminars is by permission of the Director of the Honors Program only.

IDH 4709   Leadership and Service Capstone

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1.5 sh (may be repeated for up to 3 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: IDH 1703 AND IDH 3708 AND IDH 3940*

This course serves as the capstone experience for students in the Fredric G. Levin Scholars Program. This advanced, applied-learning capstone course challenges students to develop and execute a strategic plan addressing a grassroots-level community issue of personal significance. Drawing on skills and concepts developed throughout the program, students will identify a pressing local problem, conduct in-depth research, and design a feasible, impactful solution. Working in partnership with local organizations, nonprofits, or community stakeholders, students will lead the implementation of their plan, navigating real-world challenges related to leadership, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.

IDH 4905   Directed Study

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)

IDH 4970   Honors Thesis

Academic Engagement, Department of Honors Program

1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 6 sh of credit)

Capstone project for University Honors Program. Formal presentation of research / creative activity. Open to Honors students only. Graded on satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.