HNRS Course Descriptions
Table of Contents
- HNRS 100 Introduction to the Great Books
- HNRS 150 Athens & Jerusalem
- HNRS 190 Rome & the Early Church
- HNRS 250 The Medieval World
- HNRS 290 Renaissance & Reformation
- HNRS 295 Individualized Study
- HNRS 350 The Rise of Modernity
- HNRS 450 The Twentieth Century
- HNRS 490 Honors Thesis
- HNRS 495 Individualized Study
HNRS 100 Introduction to the Great Books
2 credit hours
A Socratic seminar introducing some of the greatest works in Western political thought, literature, history, and religion, from ancient Greece to postmodern America. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Liberation Scholars Program.
HNRS 150 Athens & Jerusalem
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on the greatest works of the Ancient World, with an emphasis on literature and philosophy from ancient Greece and Mesopotamia, the Old Testament, and key touchpoints with the ancient Far East. Additional course fee required.
HNRS 190 Rome & the Early Church
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on the rise of Christianity in its Classical Roman context, featuring key texts of Roman literature and philosophy, New Testament gospels and epistles, writings of the Early Church Fathers, and Hindu and Buddhist scriptures.
HNRS 250 The Medieval World
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on the greatest works of Medieval literature, philosophy, history, and theology, with a focus on the mystical and scholastic streams of Medieval Christian thought, as well as the monotheistic traditions of Judaism and Islam. Additional course fee required.
HNRS 290 Renaissance & Reformation
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on prominent works of European literature, theology, political science, and philosophy during the Early Modern era. Emphasis on Reformation theology, Renaissance literature, as well as key touchpoints with the Scientific Revolution and New World colonization. Additional course fee required.
HNRS 295 Individualized Study
1-3 credit hour
Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.
HNRS 350 The Rise of Modernity
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on great texts from the 18-19th centuries, with an emphasis on intellectual and political upheavals of this era in the realms of politics, philosophy, theology, literature, and science. Areas of focus include the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, Romanticism, Darwinism, Industrialism, and Marxism, as well as developments in Christian thought and practice. Additional course fee required.
HNRS 450 The Twentieth Century
6 credit hours
A Socratic seminar on great texts from the 20th century, with an emphasis on major intellectual and political movements of this century in the realms of philosophy, theology, literature, and social science. Areas of focus include totalitarianism, existentialism, feminism, postcolonialism, and Christian responses to postmodernity. Additional course fee required.
HNRS 490 Honors Thesis
3 credit hours
Honors students who have completed all core honors seminars can elect to write a substantive, original thesis that responds to a central question of contemporary relevance. This thesis must synthesize multiple voices from across the honors curriculum and make a compelling longform argument. Students must give an oral defense of their theses. Prerequisite: HNRS 450 The Twentieth Century.
HNRS 495 Individualized Study
1-3 credit hour
Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.