Honors College Seeks Proposals for Interdisciplinary Courses

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From left, Heather Hudson, an architecture student; Sarah Brutesco, an honors classical studies student; and Caitlin Stevens, an honors architecture student, conduct laser scans of Ostia Antica, an ancient port city of Rome, as part of an interdisciplinary course that was developed with grant funding from the Honors College.

Faculty members: Do you have an idea for working with high-achieving, highly motivated students to explore big issues that cut across disciplines? The Honors College can help make that happen.

Interested University of Arkansas faculty members are encouraged to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 to develop courses for honors students that investigate interdisciplinary themes. These new courses may expand upon a current line of research or launch a service learning or study abroad program. Approximately six to 10 grants will be awarded in this round.

The digital reconstruction of an ancient Roman city, a community development program in Dangriga, Belize, and a fundamentals of sustainability course that drew students from 38 majors are among the interdisciplinary honors courses that have received start up funding from the Honors College.

“We want to bring people together from across campus to focus on issues that are topical and timely and that span several disciplines,” said Bob McMath, dean of the Honors College. “These grants provide an opportunity for honors students and faculty to use traditional knowledge to explore cutting edge issues.”

The proposals must be submitted by two or more faculty members from different departments and/or colleges. Special consideration will be given to teams that include faculty members who have taught honors courses or supervised honors research or other creative work. For more information view the request for proposals and the list of Honors College courses that were initially funded by Honors College curriculum development grants. The deadline for submission is Friday, Oct. 21.

The Honors College will host a faculty forum on interdisciplinary teaching later this month, which will include advice and tips from faculty members who have previously received course development funding from the Honors College. Details will be available soon on the Honors College website.