Enrollment for fall 2025 courses is approaching, and the Honors College will offer students a chance to explore timely issues in law, medicine and athletics. This semester's lineup includes courses on the influence of environmental policy, strategies for being an informed health consumer and an inside look at Razorback athletics, including the impact of the new revenue sharing model in college sports. 

"This is the time to try something new," said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. "Explore a topic that you might not have considered before; who knows what you'll discover! These classes offer a wide range of ideas and subject matter — something for everyone." 

These 75-minute, one-credit-hour Honors College Forums bring exceptional faculty and top administrators together with honors students on a weekly basis. 

Only one spring forum requires an application, but seats for all courses are limited. Interested honors students are encouraged to register as soon as possible to guarantee getting a seat. 

FALL 2025 HONORS COLLEGE FORUMS 

Environmental Law and Policy: Led by Terrell Jake Dionne, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, this course will provide students with a comprehensive survey of landmark legislation and pivotal court rulings that address environmental issues in the United States. Using a communications perspective, participants will explore the roles of key stakeholders including government agencies, corporations, non-governmental organizations and activists, and how their messaging helps shape environmental law and policy. 

"Teaching honors students about the environment is always a rewarding experience," Dionne said. "Their ability to engage with complex societal issues and synthesize legal and ethical principles makes them especially well-suited for this course. I look forward to learning alongside some of the brightest Razorbacks on campus and helping them sharpen the critical thinking skills needed to champion sustainable futures."  

Public Health and You: This course will be taught by Huda Sharaf, MD, medical director of the U of A's Pat Walker Health Center. Discussions will be aimed at educating students about health-related issues that can impact them individually, as well as the larger campus population, including information about infectious diseases currently circulating in national and global populations and how these infections could potentially affect local communities. Sharaf will also include instruction on how to be good healthcare consumers and gain proficiency in navigating the healthcare system.  

"Public health, as defined by the American Public Health Association, promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play," Sharaf explained. "This course focuses on educating future leaders and activists who will hopefully promote programs, community education and legislation to lessen the public health risks facing us today." 

Razorbacks and the Nation: Scott Varady, vice chancellor for University Advancement and previously executive director of the Razorback Foundation, and Noah Pittman, associate dean for enrollment in the Honors College, will co-lead Razorbacks and the Nation, offering an insider's perspective on college athletics.  

The class will begin with an overview of today's college sports landscape, move to an analysis of the new revenue sharing model and its impact, and finish up with discussion about what college athletics might look like in the future, including thoughts on potential improvements, especially for fans. 

"Since the first year I taught this class with Scott Varady, the landscape of college sports has shifted a great deal. I look forward to covering a variety of topics with our students, as we try to understand the implications of changes like the creation of NIL collectives and new plans for revenue sharing with student-athletes and how they will impact college sports in the years to come."  — Noah Pittman 

This course requires an application for admission.