University Honors Program

Honors Capstone

To complete Honors in General Education, students complete one of the following year-long capstone options:

Option 1: Leadership, Power, and Change

These courses can be taken in any sequence. This option includes a USD course.

  • HNRS 392: Leadership, Power, and Change: Theory (GE Area C Arts and Humanities)

    This course examines the issues of power, influence, and change within the context of world cultures. The course includes comprehensive review of issues and perspectives on leadership, multidisciplinary and classic theoretical approaches and literature, moving to the examination of evolving contemporary beliefs of leadership, power, and change. Through a process of readings, self-discovery, group observations, film, and case studies, students will identify, observe, and analyze change philosophies in historical and cultural contexts.

  • HNRS 393: Leadership, Power, and Change: Theory to Practice (USD and GE Area D Social Sciences)

    Students will study leadership and its impact on social, economic, and political structures and institutions from a contemporary perspective. Throughout the course, students will identify, apply, and reflect on aspects of leadership development, power, influence, and social change. Topics cover leadership theories, personal assessment and development, motivation, power, followership, group dynamics, equity in leadership, conflict resolution, change process, and citizenship. Through a process of selected readings, self- reflection, group observations, and case studies, students will identify, observe, analyze, and apply new leadership behaviors through integrated project-based application.

Option 2: Interdisciplinary Thesis or Creative Project

Students must complete HNRS 390 before HNRS 391. This option includes a W course.

  • HNRS 390: Interdisciplinary Thesis or Creative Project I (GE Area D Social Sciences)

    As the first course in a two-course capstone, students will learn how to choose an interdisciplinary topic for a thesis or creative project, and how to begin the research/creative process with a focus on social science approaches to their topic.

  • HNRS 391W: Interdisciplinary Thesis or Creative Project I (W and GE Area C Arts and Humanities)

    As the second course in a two-course capstone, students will continue the research/creative process with a focus on humanistic approaches to their topic, and will complete an interdisciplinary thesis or creative project.