Tampa Fall 2025 Courses | Judy Genshaft Honors College

IDH 2010: Acquisition of Knowledge

This required freshman seminar is an introduction to the Judy Genshaft Honors College community for incoming students. There are many sections of this Honors Core course on the Tampa campus. Please work with your Honors advisor to select the time that is best for you.

Ranging from classical philosophy to the digital age, this first-year Honors course invites students to explore the different ways in which knowledge is created and consumed, how understanding is cultivated, the various relationships possible between knowledge and the self, and the implications of these in our contemporary world. Through an examination of common topics, studio experiences, and assignments, all sections of this course will explore different ways of knowing (e.g., historical, philosophical, scientific, creative, etc.)

IDH 2930: Special Topics in Honors

Honors Foundations
IDH 2930: Sections 002-045
Instructor: Kevin Lee (each section led by an undergraduate peer mentor)

There are many sections of this course on the Tampa campus. Please work with your Honors advisor to select the time that is best for you. Led by peer mentors in a seminar-style format, this course introduces first-year Honors students to navigating college. Students will build a community and connections with peers, engage in academic and wellness resources discussions, and develop a sense of belonging for a successful first-year experience.

Rooted in Place
JGHC Community Garden
IDH 2930-076
Instructor: Dhalia Bumbaca
Tuesday/Thursday | 9:30 -10:45 a.m.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” - Alfred Austin

The great challenge of our time is to build and nurture sustainable communities. Gardening is an act of compassion for oneself, their community members, and ecological partners. Planting and growing food and flowers, and knowing how to responsibly consume them can promote the health and wellbeing of all our community members whether in the JGHC, USF, or our surrounding areas. This fall, I welcome you to work in the dirt at the JGHC community garden located at the USF Botanical Gardens, and alongside other community organizations. You will learn valuable skills you can take with you beyond the classroom, including how you can create third spaces through community gardening, have control over the nutrient density of your food, reduce waste through composting, increase physical activity through gardening maintenance, improve mental health and promote relaxation, and promote community wellness through education. In this experiential learning class, you will receive 75 hours of community service, and can gain the tools to contribute to a stronger community food system and connect with others through community gardening.

Honors Choir
IDH 2930-09
Instructor: Adam Davidson
Friday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

“The only thing better than singing is more singing.” – Ella Fitzgerald

The Honors Choir exists to be a welcoming, creative, collaborative, and non-competitive musical space for Honors students. Love to sing? Like to sing? Interested in singing? Join the Honors Choir. All musical backgrounds are welcome. Honors Choir can contribute to completion of one Experiential Learning requirement. No audition or prior experience is required. The Choir will offer a public performance at least once per semester.

Honors Contemporary Music Ensemble
IDH 2930-092
Instructor: Adam Davidson
Thursday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Play guitar? Bass? Drums? Keys? How about sax, trumpet, banjo or fiddle? Got vocal chops like Ella or Stevie or Billie? Join the Contemporary Music Ensemble and explore the popular music of the last 75 years – from jazz and R&B, to straight up Rock N Roll, electronica and beyond. The CME will offer one concert during the semester and may perform at other events as needed. Participation in two semesters of CME may count as one Experiential Learning activity. Open to all Honors students. Experience preferred but not required.

Permit required. Please apply here.

Honors Orchestra
IDH 2930-
Instructor: Calvin Falwell
Tuesday | 5:00 p.m.

IDH 3100: Arts & Humanities

Solarpunk: Imagining Sustainable Futures
IDH 3100-001
Instructor: Andrew Hargrove
Monday/Wednesday| 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to escape the alarming and dystopian news, media, and narratives that the Earth is being destroyed and the world is ending. These messages can, understandably, lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness in the face of problems outside of our control. But what if I told you there was an alternative, or dare I say punk, way to view the climate change problem we have found ourselves in? For a message rooted in care for each other, the other, and the planet, and imagining a more sustainable future--join us as we explore the radically hopeful world of Solarpunk. In this seminar style course, we will experience the power of art while we read, watch, create, and enjoy Solarpunk media to reveal the stories of nature, community, and empathy we need to save the world. Love the planet, love each other, love yourself!

“At Home in College”: The American Girls’ College Novel and Its Resonances Today
IDH 3100-002
Instructor: Ashley Reese
Tuesday/Thursday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

In the mid-nineteenth century, American women's colleges opened their doors, and fictional depictions of these green spaces of sports, girl crushes, late-night meals, and (sometimes) learning soon followed. These novels explore how school serves to socialize the heroine into the feminine ideal. As society questions the appropriateness of higher education for women, the novels quickly move from showing the opportunities college offers ambitious girls to assuring readers that college prepares girls for the domestic sphere.

In this class, students will uncover the societal implications of the representation in American girls’ college stories by reading novels from the time period, 1870-1920 (all of which can be read online for free). Students will take turns leading class discussion with a short presentation. They will also conduct original research by exploring the archives at USF Special Collections to locate and analyze a school-centered book from this period. We will explore the historical context of girls’ education and women’s colleges, as well as replicate some of their dorm-room recipes. The final project of the class will ask students to consider how this framework impacts today's modern YA novels in a poster that can be submitted the USF Undergraduate Humanities Conference.

Home: Designing Where We Live
IDH 3100-003 Instructor: Atsuko Sakai
Tuesday/Thursday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

"Home" is something very special to all of us. House, shelter, dwelling, these are all just buildings, but when does a building become a home, a place which touches one's heart with memories, images, feelings, and even smells? Home contains one's important private and family life. We, humans, modify and shape our surroundings to provide comfort and quality of life. Thus, this hands-on course will explore the actual design elements of houses because design reflects specific people and site contexts (i.e. geographical, social, cultural, etc.) of where and how we live. We will also investigate the psychological effects of the physical environment on humans. Together we will go on a journey to discover your own definition of a "home" by analyzing various readings, brainstorming with your peers, and learning architectural design conventions all while designing your own dream house!

All the World's a Stage: Performing Identity and Culture
IDH 3100-004
Instructor: David Jenkins
Tuesday/Thursday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Shakespeare observed that "all the world's a stage." Have you considered how we embody and put into action, how we perform our various ideologies, identities, and cultures? This course focuses on our individual and collective performances in the secular, sacred, and quotidian realms. Drawing from performance studies, communication theory, anthropology, sociology, and other fields, this course invites students to view all human interaction as a kind of performance and to consider their varying significances. What happens when the taken for granted becomes our focus? In this course, performances will serve as both objects of study and methods of inquiry to illuminate what we consider to be the everyday.

The view of life as theater is an ancient and enduring metaphor for human reality. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the perspective of life as theater and in performance-centered approaches to communication and culture. This course will draw attention to the relationship between everyday life and traditional aesthetic performance. We will explore how communication in everyday life may be understood using performance as a metaphor and method of study. We will also look at how aesthetic performances are informed by everyday experiences. We will discuss culture as a continuous performance, from the ordinary speech of an individual to the elaborate practices of groups and organizations. We will seek to uncover how our various performances – traditional, everyday, sacred, and secular – construct and maintain culture.

Literature and Medicine: The Human Side of Health Care
IDH 3100-005
Instructor: Deepak Singh
Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

This discussion-based course explores the intersection of storytelling and medicine, examining how literature illuminates the emotional, ethical, and social dimensions of health care. Through narratives of illness, healing, and caregiving, students will deepen their understanding of the human experience in medical contexts, nurturing empathy and critical reflection.

Readings include William Carlos Williams' The Use of Force, Raymond Carver's A Small, Good Thing, and Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, with themes of existential crises and emotional isolation. Students will engage in discussions and write two response papers, analyzing how these narratives resonate with their perspectives on illness and the human condition.

Global Grooves: Curating a Universal Playlist
IDH 3100-006
Instructor: Francesca Arnone-Lewis
Monday/Wednesday | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

This course examines our reciprocal relationship with music: the choices we make in what we listen to, whose performances we support, how we choose to connect with its content, and the influences this has on society. Which voices have been ignored, and how did this happen? Through analysis and reflective inquiry, students embark on a mindful sonic journey to address these questions and more, exploring diverse musics and performers bringing attention to social issues and cultural identities. To honor experiencing other culture’s concepts of how to live a good life, the mosaic created by music from all around the world will be our focus, ranging from songs to symphonies to beats. Class topics guide students to compare how and what different forms of musics, when created as a response, may convey about people and society. In addition to essay reflections, the major project is an annotated playlist students design to promote intentionality in the creation, consumption, and dissemination of music.

The Ends of Imagination
IDH 3100-007
Instructor: Jarod Rosello
Thursday | 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

This is an arts-based research course designed to investigate the limits and boundaries of human imagination. We will ask big questions like: What kinds of knowledge are made through imagination and creative practice? You do not need to be an artist to take this course or know how to make any kind of art in advance. This course is a discussion- and studio-based course where we will be talking to one another and making things together. Throughout the semester we will do things like:

Make miniatures
Build imagination-powered transmogrifiers
Practice Sweding
Augment reality
Play with Kindergarteners
Exploring the not-yet-imagined

We will also read about human imagination, creativity, and design in arts-based research contexts.

This course will culminate in a final arts-based research project of your own design. You can make something, write something, produce something, something something, as long as it attends to the question of “What does imagination do?”

Art and the Refugee Experience
IDH 3100-008
Instructor: Jerrod Schwarz
Monday/Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Comics and graphic novels are one of the most popular forms of storytelling today. Their mixture of art and writing can transport readers to visually fascinating worlds and make intimate connections to a wide range of characters from superheroes to alien creatures. Comics are also an invaluable way to speak about our real world, giving us insights into the lives of others. In Art & The Refugee Experience, we will be looking at comics about asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants to better understand these ongoing world crises.

This course is broken down into two major focuses, the first being research-based writing about the refugee experience. As a class, we will read comics such as "Safe Area Gorazde" by Joes Sacco and "Rolling Blackouts" by Sarah Glidden in order to develop complex ideas and responses about these pressing issues. What does the refugee journey across the Mediterranean look like? What is the daily experience of living in a refugee camp? We will work together to answer questions like these and brainstorm possible solutions.

Second, we will learn the artistic skills and techniques that comic creators use to tell their stories, with the ultimate goal of each student making their own short comic! Don't worry, no prior art skills are necessary, and you will not be graded on your artistic proficiency. As we work to create our own comics, we will investigate how images and visuals can capture aspects of our lives that otherwise might have been missed.

Finally, this course will include interviews with artists, guest lectures from journalists, and discussions with writers who have first had experience working with refugees. There will also be out-of-class opportunities to engage with USF's Contemporary Art Museum.

The Latinx Avant Garde
IDH 3100-009
Instructor: Natalie Scenters-Zapico
Monday/Wednesday | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

“Rather than sit at our drafting table as aesthetic innovators, we Latin poets are expected to normalize our histories and tell the ancestral tales of our colorful otherness.” – Carmen Giménez Smith, John Chávez

How do expectations of the Latinx experience as filled with colorful papel picado, calaveras, and homemade tortillas affect what artists are forced to create as a cultural production? How do writers go against this norm to create art that pushes against these stereotypes? Students will be asked to engage with Latinx avant garde poetry, novels, art, photography, nonfiction essays, films, and music over the course of the semester and then create different reading responses each week from traditional close readings, to photo-essays, and dramatic monologues. Students will finish the semester with a portfolio of hybrid avant-garde work that engages at least two senses simultaneously in its presentation that will be workshopped in class by their peers.

Creator, Images, and Sounds
IDH 3100-010
Instructor: Tamara Nemirovsky
Thursday | 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

In this class, students will learn how to produce a video that reflects their understanding of current events and their response to them through the creation of a fictional narrative. They will become creators of images and sounds that capture their subjective interpretation of problems that local communities are facing today. This class will focus on concept development, image, and sound composition, research, storyboarding, film language, and construction of meaning through the creation of multiple visual layers and sounds during filming and editing as well as all technical aspects (camera, lighting, sound, editing software) required to produce a creative video.

Students will collectively explore the aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of images and sound to evoke emotions and meanings in the viewer. They will research human-social problems (violence, guns, education, poverty, climate change, addictions, communication, health, Covid 19, etc.) affecting communities today and develop a video art piece that will question at the same time the audience and their systems of beliefs. Students will develop their capacity to recognize how we create understanding through the production of a video step by step, and how creative and fictional work can address their current social and cultural concerns.

This course does not require previous film/art knowledge or experience. You will use a DLSR camera. If the students do not have access to a DLSR, they will use their smartphone cameras.

Stop Motion Animation
IDH 3100-011
Instructor: Tamara Nemirovsky
Tuesday/Thursday |12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

In this course, students will create socially conscious stop-motion animation artwork. Students will explore textural imagery and conceptual animation filmmaking by developing their creative research projects. Projects will examine community issues while incorporating multiple perspectives into production decisions when creating a meaningful and reflective stop-motion animation film. Students will collectively explore the cultural value, story, and emotional meaning of objects, materials, elements, and sounds to evoke emotions and meaning in the viewer by creating socially conscious stop-motion animation artwork. Emphasis is on animation film language, experimental stop-motion animation techniques, concept development, and narrative structures as well as all the production stages (pre-production, production, post-production) and technical aspects required to produce a stop-motion animation film. This course does not require previous animation knowledge or experience.

Art + the Environment
IDH 3100-012
Instructor: Tina Piracci
Wednesday| 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

With rising sea levels and global temperatures climbing, our earth is in need of immediate regenerative action. This studio art course will propose various forms of restorative design and art activism to address climate change, threatened ecosystems and the environment. Utilizing design, fine art, and other creative modes of expressive solutions, we will research potential calls for creative action, whether via art activism and awareness or design implementation and fieldwork. This class does not require previous art experience and various mediums will be open for exploration. Through community partnerships, we will investigate opportunities for impact design with a focus on local oyster restoration via 3D printing ceramic habitat bricks, and the process of designing and implementing mural projects in collaboration with community partners. Our oyster brick restoration project is done in collaboration with Dr. William Ellis from the Marine Biology at USFSP and will involve research, partnerships, and field work, which is currently funded by the Tampa Bay Estuary Fund. Our mural partners vary by semester, but in the past have been sites such as the USF Botanical Gardens, the Seafarers clinic at the Tampa Port, and more. With opportunities to ideate and develop design proposals with the environment in mind, we will collaborate with community researchers and organizations to take creative action for a cleaner tomorrow and bring awareness to sustainability.

Narrative Cartography: Mapping the Stories of Your Life
IDH 3100-013
Instructor: Ulluminair Salim
Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

“You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach; because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” -Frederick Buechner

Cartography is the study and practice of map-making, and Narrative Cartography invites students to map the stories of their lives. Through reading, writing, and multilayered forms of journeying, students will tell stories that matter to them, from the mundane to the profound. This practice-oriented course leverages written narrative to visit personal places seldom explored such as the meaning in and of our names; how and why we hold the political values that we do; the stories that our bodies tell; death, dying, and remembrance; our personal foodways; and what it means to celebrate our failures, among other concerns. At its most expansive, this course is a foray into our shared humanity and recognition of the universal in the particular.

IDH 3350: Natural Sciences

What is the Environment?
IDH 3350-001
Instructor: Andrew Hargrove
Monday/Wednesday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

You may think the answer to the question what is the environment is simple, but this seminar style course will critically explore the way the social construction of the environment has changed through history and how our conception of what the environment is affects how we treat it and what we determine is acceptable. In this course, we will take a global and local perspective on how the environment is perceived around the world, what we are doing about solving the many environmental problems globally, and how a shift in perspective can spark change.

Climb Every Mountain: Geology of our National Parks
IDH 3350-002
Instructor: Judy McIlrath
Tuesday/Thursday | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

We won't actually be climbing mountains, unless you participate in the optional field trip where we will climb some small cinder cone volcanoes. Instead, we will see how mountains are built along with discussing other geological processes occurring in varied landscapes as we journey through many of the National Parks across the country. Take an adventure with me to discover how these landscapes formed and how they've changed through geologic time, why some house explosive volcanoes and why others provide tranquil scenery. We'll discuss the basics of Geology and how they apply to park landscapes. It is said that the National Parks are America's greatest idea. During our travels through the parks, we'll contemplate the controversy and dilemma their very existence presents and learn some practical life lessons along the way.

The optional field trip is offered so that you can experience some of the parks first hand. Come climb with me, and I think you will agree that setting these lands aside for all people and for future generations truly is America's greatest idea.

Harm or Benefit? Abused Drugs & their Intended Uses
IDH 3350- 003
Instructor: Laura Diaz
Tuesday/Thursday | 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.

In this course, we will journey into the complex world of pharmacology and society's relationship with frequently abused prescription drugs. We will uncover the multifaceted layers of drug use, misuse, and abuse, examining not only the pharmacological aspects but also the societal, cultural, and ethical dimensions. We'll navigate through historical contexts, dissecting how these substances have woven themselves into the fabric of human existence. The course will provoke thought in practical wisdom as we investigate the notion of "appropriate" drug use of abused substances, including opioids, sedatives, and other frequently prescribed medications. What factors contribute to the perception of a drug as either beneficial or harmful? How do socioeconomic disparities influence patterns of drug abuse? These questions and more will fuel our curiosity, provide rich topics for discussion, and lead us to critical analysis. In addition to our explorations, students will engage in hands-on analysis through graded assessments, including group projects, their contribution to thoughtful discussions, and a research paper that delves into the complexity of pharmacological dynamics and societal impacts.

The Engaged Citizen - Real Science in the Real World
IDH 3350-004
Instructor: Michael Cross
Tuesday/Thursday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Fundamental science such as physics, chemistry, and biology are used in water management, building construction, and municipal permitting. Assignments in this course are in service to a community partner whose mission is to make the local Tampa Bay region a better place to live, work, and play. In this course, we will incorporate principles of the natural sciences in service to a community partner by conducting discovery activities to understand their needs, leveraging scholarly research to inform our suggestions, all of which will be presented to mentors from the USF Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation. A final cumulative proposal will be delivered to the community partner for their use in advancing their mission.

The Rhythm Within: Sleep, Light, and the Brain
IDH 3350- 005
Instructor: Shamima Akter
Monday/Wednesday | 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.

Did you know that if you live to 100, you’ll spend 33 years asleep? But sleep isn’t just rest: it’s your brain’s clean-up crew, clearing metabolic waste, repairing proteins, regulating hormones, and optimizing cognitive function. But what happens when this cycle is disrupted? We will take an interactive, discussion-based approach to exploring some interesting queries like this. We may question if our sleep-wake cycle truly synchronizes with the light-dark rhythm of the solar system? Is it similar to how plants respond to sunlight? If yes, what is the underlying mechanism?

We will form groups to analyze cutting-edge research to understand the underlying mechanisms how circadian misalignment affects memory, behavior, creativity and cognition and how strongly is it linked to neurological disorders, obesity, depression, and lack of motivation – a fascinating and timely topic. Based on our gained knowledge we will present seminars and have group discussions and debates to tackle real-world challenges such as shift work, jet lag, sleep disorders, lifestyles of “night-owls" and so on. By working together, we’ll not only deepen our understanding of circadian biology but also explore its impact on students across different disciplines and discover ways to optimize daily life. Are you ready to unlock the power of your body’s clock?

Microorganisms and Disease
IDH 3350-006
Instructor: Steven Specter
Tuesday/Thursday | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

This section will cover general principles of microbiology and immunology with an emphasis on how microbes and humans interact. This will provide insights into infectious diseases and public health topics. There will be an opportunity to examine current topics in microbiology via a current events session. There will also be some eclectic sessions on other topics, such as evolutionary biology and gene editing. There is a strong focus on active learning, so that only a few introductory lectures will be given with discussions on reading materials featured in most classes. Students will also be afforded the opportunity to look into a few topics in greater depth in order to prepare written and oral presentations.

IDH 3400: Social Sciences

Sports' Impact on World Diplomacy & Transparency
IDH 3400-001
Instructor: Alexis Mootoo
Wednesday | 5:00 - 7:45 p.m.

The influence of sports on world politics is a compelling subject that reveals how athletic events and figures can transcend national boundaries and impact global diplomatic landscapes. From the Cold War-era Olympic Games to the politically charged 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Olympics, sports have often served as a platform for political statements and conflicts. The 1980 and 1984 Olympic boycotts, for instance, highlighted how international sporting events can become arenas for ideological confrontations between superpowers. Similarly, the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which symbolized the end of apartheid, or Magic Johnson revealing his HIV diagnosis demonstrated how sports can play a pivotal role in national reconciliation and global perceptions of political progress. Moreover, sports diplomacy has become an increasingly significant tool in international relations, where nations use athletic events to foster goodwill and forge strategic alliances. The "ping-pong diplomacy" of the 1970s, which led to improved relations between the United States and China, exemplifies how sports can facilitate diplomatic breakthroughs. As global mega-events like the Olympics and the World Cup continue to grow in prominence, they offer both opportunities and challenges for nations to navigate their political interests on a world stage. This course will explore these dynamic interactions between sports and politics, examining case studies and theories to understand how athletic achievements and controversies influence global political strategies and international relations.

Wetlands and Human Cultures
IDH 3400-002
Instructor: Andrea Vianello
Monday/Wednesday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Wetlands are an important environment, and almost all of Florida is a wetland. Looking at ancient and modern cultures we will engage in a multidisciplinary discussion to understand and inform the future management of lands in Florida particularly. The course will also present concepts such as waterscapes that will show how the presence of water influences human cultures. Health, engineering projects, housing, natural threats, local ecologies and food availability are all affected by the increased presence of water in wetlands.

Pop Culture and Social Change
IDH 3400-003
Instructor: David Jenkins
Tuesday/Thursday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

This course examines popular culture as a potential site of resistance that contributes to social change. Looking at contemporary popular culture and the worldwide push against global neoliberalism in comparative perspective with culture and social movements of the past, this course examines how power and resistance operates in society. In varying ways, these cultural products force new perspectives and call for new ways of being through the creation of what Kenneth Burke referred to as "alternate ethical universes," further functioning as "equipment for living." We will explore relevant debates, historical and contemporary, concerning the impact of popular culture on social change. There is a focus on social media, humor, art (both "mundane" and "fine"), music, comics, gaming, television and film, and fandoms as sites of resistance. The approach to this course is theoretical, practical, and transnational. It draws from sociology, communication, critical theory, cultural studies, postcolonialism, and other related fields.

This course introduces students to key sociological concepts and their relevance for understanding and explaining major issues in both culture and social change. It aims to define and interrogate fundamental concepts in sociology and cultural studies, while also illustrating these through timely and topical social issues of global scope in the news. While it addresses globalization, it puts this in historical perspective and relates it to enduring ideas in sociological analysis.

Food is Power: The Intersection of Food Systems with Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors
IDH 3400-004
Instructor: Dhalia Bumbaca
Tuesday/Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Food is far more than a necessity for survival; it is the heart of culture, community, and human connection. Throughout history, communities have gathered around food, using it to mark celebrations, and the rhythms of daily life. It shapes traditions and connects us to the land, to one another, and to our ancestors, carrying stories of resilience, and creativity. Furthermore, food systems profoundly impact our planet, driving conversations around economy, biodiversity, and hunger. "Food is Power" encapsulates this profound influence of food beyond mere sustenance, and suggests that through food, cities can grow stronger, cultivating health, wellness, trust, and mutual care. This course will explore the dynamics of our food system (i.e food production, processing, distribution, marketing, consumption, and resource management) and how these process affect our everyday lives. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and projects that encourage critical thinking, students will investigate the varying roles of food system stakeholders in shaping a community food system that supports food sovereignty, and the alleviation of food insecurity. Instructor relationships with local community stakeholders and leaders will be leveraged to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. From supporting local farmers and reducing food waste to understanding the scale of production necessary to feed the masses, the nuances of our food environment affect the health of our communities and economies. Students will learn about the power embedded within food and have the opportunity to become active food citizens, promoting health, justice, and resilience in a world interconnected by what we eat.

Global Health with People First
IDH 3400-005
Instructor: Holly Singh
Tuesday/Thursday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

Why do some groups of people suffer from some diseases while other populations do not? Why are some diseases associated with poverty and others with affluence? Illnesses are not just a matter of pathogens, but also have social, economic, and political causes leading to disparate health experiences and outcomes. This course introduces students to the general principles and foundations of global health. It focuses on the study of health issues and concerns that transcend national borders, class, and culture to impact the potential for healthy humanity. This class will explore current and historical health issues that face populations around the world. The course will explore health disparities while discussing concrete and culturally sensitive approaches to improving global health. It introduces students to the social and behavioral sciences through cultural and sociopolitical inquiry and aims to cultivate ethical ideas and practices pertaining to civic engagement, dimensions of human experience, and the complexity of social interaction.

Fertility and the Future
IDH 3400-006
Instructor: Holly Singh
Monday/Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

This course explores the social and behavioral sciences by examining family-making as a social and cultural process, addressing claims to the universal and the particular in reproduction. How do culture and identity shape reproductive ideals and practices around the world? How do difficulties in reproduction, ranging from infertility and pregnancy loss (miscarriage) to natural disaster and political upheaval, impact those ideals and practices? And how do examinations of fertility from afar through demography, politics, and ethics articulate with intimate, embodied (and dis-embodied) experiences of reproduction? The course will examine these issues across a variety of geographic contexts and situate local examples within national and global struggles to (re)produce the future.

Disability in Pop Culture
IDH 3400-007
Instructor: Kyle Romano
Thursday | 12:30 - 3:15 p.m.

In this course, we will examine the way culture influences us through a variety of mediums, including shows, music, stories, and even video games. These examples, supported by themes presented in scholarly and everyday life, will help us reflect on our own perception of disability. We’ll unpack the role that technology plays in this process, as well as its capacity to both enhance and detract from a productive/healthy discussion about the topic.

Life, Love, and Leadership
IDH 3400-008
Instructor: Melanie Ryerson
Monday/Wednesday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

In this course, students will explore the intersection of emotional intelligence, personal growth, and leadership in both professional and personal relationships. Using Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves, students will develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills essential for effective leadership. Additionally, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins will provide insights into fostering resilience, setting boundaries, and embracing a mindset that promotes healthier relationships and decision-making. Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and reflective exercises, students will gain practical tools to lead with confidence, navigate challenges with emotional intelligence, and cultivate meaningful connections in all areas of life.

The Science of Happiness & Well-being
IDH 3400-009
Instructor: Meredith Johnson
Monday/Wednesday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

What makes us happy? What helps us flourish? There’s an entire body of research that explores the scientific bases for happiness and well-being. Students will learn evidence-based strategies for improving overall life satisfaction by reading the latest research from social science, psychology, business, behavioral economics, public health, philosophy, rhetoric, communication, and other disciplines. Using this research to guide their practice, students will implement and reflect upon proven strategies for increasing their happiness and well-being.

Major topics include defining and measuring happiness, identifying and cultivating character strengths to increase happiness and well-being, and setting goals to establish and maintain happiness habits that stick. Students will learn about and perform evidence-based behaviors shown to influence happiness and well-being, including (but not limited to):

Balancing productivity
Rest, and relaxation
Fostering social connections by cultivating personal and communal support
Raising energy through intentional movement
Exercise, and sleep hygiene
Practicing mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and savoring

Health, Illness, and Society
IDH 3400-010
Instructor: Nana Tuntiya
Tuesday/Thursday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

How do people define health or illness? These concepts have much importance to us personally, but they also carry social meaning tied to individuals’ status and behavior as well as the attitudes toward them from fellow citizens. Similarly, medicine is more than a science, it is also a social institution that is built on human relationships and fulfills important societal needs. This discussion-based course will explore illness subjectivity, social and cultural determinants of health, doctor-patient interaction, stigmatization of chronic and mental illness, and the development of a new vision of health as an all-encompassing wellness phenomenon. In the end we might find that good health is much more than our own need or interest, it’s a profoundly social experience rooted in specific cultural and temporal frameworks.

Social Movements
IDH 3400-011
Instructor: Peter Funke
Tuesday/Thursday | 9:30 -10:45 a.m.

Social movements have long been considered a major driver of political, social, economic, or cultural change. In the US, from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, to the Tea Party, the Occupy Wall Street Movement or BlackLivesMatter, social mobilizations have been central in shaping society. Recently, social movements have also gone global and have been important actors on the world stage.

This class has three main goals. First, it is designed to provide you with an overview of the study of social movements; second, it aims to familiarize you with recent mobilizations around the globe. Finally, throughout the semester you are asked to follow, research, and report on a particular social movement of your choice. Overall, this class will equip you with a solid understanding of how scholars have approached movements to understand their emergence, impact, and decline. Moreover, you will gain an overview of recent mobilizations and movements and become a specialist on a particular social movement organization of your choosing.

James Baldwin and the Origins of White and Black
IDH 3400-012
Instructor: Zachary Purdue
Monday/Wednesday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m

When asked about the future of Black Americans and the future of America, James Baldwin remarked that the two were "insoluble". White Americans, Baldwin argued, would largely determine the country's future to the extent that they could confront the historical and existential origins of American distinctions between Black and white. Failing this task would inevitably lead to "a breaking point" in which the country's race relations would erupt into violence. America's only options for sustainable futures all required a searching, honest appraisal of the relationship between Black and white identities, identities Baldwin saw as interdependent. This course investigates Baldwin's comments surrounding what it means to be Black and white in America. We sift through Baldwin's letters, essays, and interviews to draw out his positions on the phenomenology of racial identity. Additionally, the course examines Baldwin's commitment to optimism and criticisms of pessimism, his views on gay and straight identities, and his relationships with other intellectuals and activists of the civil rights era. We also compare Baldwin's views with studies from history and the social sciences on the origins and development of Western racial distinctions. The course's approach strongly resembles courses in the history of philosophy. Classes consist of seminar-style close readings and discussions of primary sources. There is little to no classical lecturing. Evaluation methods are almost entirely writing and participation, with no tests.

IDH 3600: Seminar in Applied Ethics

Controversies in Medical Research
IDH 3600-001
Instructor: David Diamond
Monday | 2:00 - 4:45 p.m.

In this seminar we will investigate flaws, conflicts of interest, outright deception and breaches of ethics in medical research. This will be an active learning course in which students will study the literature in specific topics, and then summarize the research in an engaging discussion with the class through the use of a powerpoint presentation.

Corporate Personhood: Identity and Responsibility
IDH 3600-002
Instructor: David Garrison
Tuesday/Thursday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Corporate personhood is the legal notion that a corporation, separately from its associated human beings, has at least some of the legal rights and responsibilities enjoyed by natural persons. While controversial, Corporate Personhood is well established in U.S. legal history, and is based upon practice and theory with complex and ancient philosophical roots. In this course, we will examine the nature of corporate personhood not only in the modern legal sense of a Limited Liability Corporation, but also with respect to institutions, communities, and government bodies. To what extent does any institution constitute a person? What characteristics of personhood meaningfully attach to that institution? Does this personhood have moral or social ramifications beyond the legal realm?

Spirituality, Religion, and Ethical Dilemmas in Death
IDH 3600-003
Instructor: Jason Filippini
Tuesday/Thursday | 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.

This course delves into the complex ethical issues that come up when we look at death, dying, and the afterlife through the lens of various spiritual and religious traditions, with a focus on how these perspectives contribute to the broader concept of fostering a healthy humanity. Students will explore how different faiths and spiritual beliefs shape end-of-life choices, influence the grieving process, and frame views on the afterlife, all while considering the ways these perspectives support both individual and collective well-being. Key topics such as medical assistance in dying, euthanasia, funeral rites, and the allocation of healthcare resources, will be examined on the basis of how they are shaped by religious and spiritual values.

Through thought-provoking readings and media, philosophical debates, and case studies from religious studies, bioethics, and cultural anthropology, students will gain a deeper understanding of how various religious traditions address mortality as part of holistic well-being. The course will involve plenty of active and written discussions, encouraging students to reflect on how the material has shifted or deepened their ethical views on death, dying, and spirituality. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically navigate complex ethical questions around death, and to better understand how spiritual and religious frameworks shape both personal and societal approaches to end-of-life care and the pursuit of a "good death."

Artificial Intelligence and Society: Exploring the Intersections
IDH 3600-004
Instructor: Julia Sweet
Monday/Wednesday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered daily life at great speed and brought massive transformations, marking this the New Industrial Revolution. AI can enhance society through advancements that play a vital role in various sectors, including health care, marketing analytics, entertainment, climate science, law, and cybersecurity. While offering and expecting numerous benefits, the advancement and widespread adoption of AI technologies ignite significant discussions about their potential negative and unforeseen impacts on society and individual lives. This calls for a united effort to adopt a rational discourse surrounding AI, free from fear-inducing sensationalism. The immediate concern lies in the impact of AI on people and society.

This class will examine AI and its impact by looking at AI in law, warfare, education, entertainment, and the labor market. This course takes a critical lens to examine both the advantages and drawbacks of artificial intelligence and undermines myths about it in today's world. Students will learn how AI influences society, analyzing its capacity to enhance efficiency, productivity, and innovation while also dealing with its ramifications for privacy, employment, and ethical concerns. Through a combination of case studies, discussions, and skill-building activities, students will not only attain an understanding of the intricate complexities surrounding AI-based technologies but also gain practical skills that will empower them in the AI-driven world.

Argument: Democracy’s Greatest Gift?
IDH 3600-005
Instructor: Ralph Wilcox
Tuesday/Thursday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

At a time when contemporary democracies are threatened by growing discord and divisiveness, this class examines the critical importance of argument, debate and civil discourse to citizenship and civic responsibility. From the ancient Greek city states to the contemporary world, students will evaluate the essential role of free speech, viewpoint diversity, and the exchange of ideas to strengthening the foundation across many forms of democracy. The class will explore decline in the debating tradition and the consequent threat to democracy along with the importance of individual and collective resiliency in an increasingly divided and dangerous world most often characterized by technological mediation. The class will also consider the importance of recognizing and responding to the rise of demagoguery, bullies and authoritarianism, the antithesis of democracy, in both domestic and global contexts.

Students will critically assess the great debates in western civilization and beyond, the importance of presidential debates throughout the history of American democracy, and advance their own rhetorical skills through demonstrating active listening, critical thinking, forming a substantive and persuasive argument, and rebuttal.

The Ethics of Political Grievances, Freedom, and the Response to Tyranny
IDH 3600-006
Instructor: Stephanie Williams
Tuesday | 5:00 - 7:45 p.m.

In this course, we will examine the questions surrounding the concepts of political grievances, freedom, and tyranny through the study of conservative, centrist, and liberal-leaning political speeches. These readings include politicians and political activists from the Revolutionary War and the founding of America through the Biden Administration. Students will discuss what it means to express and hold political grievances and debate what a "just" society must look like. The class will also look at the issue of ethics through their arguments related to political freedom from the right to vote, the right to be free from political violence, the right to determine which citizens have “the right to rise," who may make demands of our political systems through protest, and make changes to government policies and institutions that don’t serve their political interests, and make demands to preserve tradition and culture. By the conclusion of the course, students will improve their skills in political discourse by learning how to research and articulate the major topics that shape our national values. The professor ensures that all students of all political views are engaged in productive conversations that are civil and fair by allowing students of all political views to be heard in class in a respectful environment.

Biomedical Ethics
IDH 3600-007
Instructor: Victor Bowers
Monday/Wednesday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Permit required until April 7.
7-year BS/MD students should contact Carter Harbert for permit.

This seminar in biomedical ethics will allow students to explore a range of real-world issues encountered in medical practice. While examining the facts of cases, students will be challenged to consider the cultural, emotional, political, and spiritual perspectives of patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders who find themselves in complex medical situations. Students will attend class ready to engage with readings through class discussions and reflective writing. Students will research an area of ethics that interests them and present their findings to the class at the end of the semester.

IDH 4200: Geographic Perspectives

Human Development and the Environment
IDH 4200-001
Instructor: Alma Dedic-Sarenkapa
Tuesday/Thursday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m

Human development is about ameliorating human life in contrast to the popular belief that development is solely about economic growth. It focuses on people and expanding opportunities and choices they can access. This course will provide an interdisciplinary approach to examining human development patterns and the relationship between people and planet Earth in the age of Anthropocene using the human development index (HDI). In short, HDI is a measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, education or skill set, and having a decent standard of living. We will look into countries that best create conditions for people to thrive in. What country is the most developed country in the world, hence most desirable to live in and why? This will be a seminar-style course using interactive content and following trends worldwide. Together we will read short analyses, watch movies, and have panel and working group discussions uncovering the root causes of inequality, social injustice, short life expectancy, and lack of opportunities for people. By doing so we will work towards the final course assignment, a project proposing potential solutions for the topics discussed.

The Future Path of the Middle East and the United States’ Role in Shaping It
IDH 4200-002
Instructor: Arman Mahmoudian
Monday/Wednesday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

The Middle East stands as one of the most unique and historically rich regions in the world. As the crossroads of civilizations, the birthplace of the Abrahamic religions, and a bridge connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, the region has long played a pivotal role in global history. However, it is also a region frequently in the headlines, marked by wars, civil conflicts, terrorism, refugee crises, and environmental disasters. This course examines the critical question: What does the future hold for the Middle East? Will it regain its historical prosperity, or will instability and conflict continue to define its trajectory? More importantly, what role does the United States, the world’s most powerful nation, play in shaping that future?

Students will explore the history of the Middle East, the root causes of its current instability, and the strategic importance of the region to U.S. national security. The course will also analyze U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, addressing how and why the United States engages in the region and what impact its policies may have on the Middle East’s future. Through in-depth discussions and case studies, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the region’s complexities and the U.S. role in shaping its path forward.

Soundscapes of the Indian Ocean
IDH 4200-003
Instructor: Bertie Kibreah
Monday/Wednesday| 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

This course centers the Indian Ocean as an ancient maritime expanse that catalyzed new forms of intercontinental trade and diplomacy, multi-religious discourses, oceanic paraphernalia, as well as financial and technological networks. Exploring trajectories from the Swahili coast to Colonial Burma, and the Bay of Bengal to Imperial Mecca, we will develop strategies to hear and listen to the Indian Ocean that is inclusive of music, ritual, noise, vocality, textuality, visual art, ecology, borderlands, citizenship, and coloniality. Our discussions will peruse legal documents, navigational tools, hymns, musical instruments, pilgrimage artifacts, travelogues, architecture, and foodways. We will ponder the geopolitics of seafaring, revolutionary ports of encounter, and the migratory experiences of humans and animals that have shaped, and continue to shape, an Indian Ocean world. In addition to many group-led discussions, students will produce a final project that creates a studio-recorded sound collage which recounts an Indian Ocean narrative.

Clothed in Suffering: The Entanglement of Fashion, Slavery, and Globalization
IDH 4200-004
Instructor: Catherine Vazquez
Tuesday/Thursday | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Southeast Asia is widely recognized as a hotbed of human trafficking and exploitation, with global estimates placing as much as 80% of trafficking worldwide within or originating from this one region. It is also a region closely connected to the fashion industry with its abundance of garment districts and manufacturing facilities, and a long history of providing cheap labor for external entities. As human trafficking continues to grow exponentially around the globe, touching nearly every nation and industry, the world of fashion, particularly with the explosion of fast fashion, is not only susceptible to trafficking’s infiltration, but may even rely on the exploitation and suffering of individuals trapped within its web. In this course, we will explore the relationship between human trafficking and fashion in our globalized economy from landmark cases such as the El Monte sweatshop to more recent developments and international efforts to combat exploitation. The course will focus heavily on geographic distinctions in both the means utilized and the motivations behind each region’s participation in the global human trafficking network, but will center heavily on Southeast Asia, branching out to follow the supply chain and the money. The course will ask students to consider their own role in the fashion-on-demand industry and to creatively investigate approaches which might offer affordable, sustainable alternatives.

1968 - A Year Unlike Any Other
IDH 4200-005
Instructor: Daniel Ruth
Wednesday | 8:00 - 10:45 a.m.

This course will explore the chaotic years of major breaking news event throughout one of the most impactful years in American history. The year 1968 transformed not only American society, but the rest of the world. Over the course of the semester some of the events to be explored in this class include:

The Tet Offensive, which altered the course of the Vietnam War and American public opinion
The Prague Spring; Lyndon Johnson's fateful decision not to seek a second term
The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy
The unrest surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
The political resurgence of Richard Nixon
The Apollo 8 mission to the Moon

Students will also be required to take a weekly currents quiz and participate in weekly team presentations.

Sick Around the World: Geographical Perspectives on Global Health
IDH 4200- 006
Instructor: Donna Ettel-Gambino
Monday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

This course is designed as a comparative presentation of current issues across international health care systems with a focus on South Africa, Italy, Japan, and France. Emphasis is on discussing diverse areas of health and is appropriate for students of any major interested in health care delivery, personal health, or health education. We will discuss and debate health care delivery systems, medical malpractice, physical/mental health, physician-assisted suicide, the opioid crisis, women’s reproductive health, medical devices, and healthcare disparities in the United States and abroad.

This is a hands-on class, and students will be actively engaged and working in teams to complete a project. Although health and healt hcare in other countries might seem far removed from our daily concerns in the United States, many nations face issues of uneven access, constrained resources, and a focus on improving the efficiency of services. Understanding how different nations confront issues of universal coverage, access, equity, and quality will enhance students’ ability to develop new ideas and approaches for addressing these challenges in the United States. Students will be introduced to community partners of USF's Area Health Education Center (AHEC) for project ideas.

Sub-Saharan Africa in Historical and Contemporary Perspective
IDH 4200-007
Instructor: Fenda Akiwumi
Monday/Wednesday | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

This class will look at culture, societies, and development in Sub-Saharan Africa, in historical and contemporary contexts. It will be a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the study of this part of the African continent. Africa’s history, politics, cultures, and societies are rich, diverse, and complex yet generalizations and negative stereotypes about Africa by the media, academics, and policy makers are common (apocalyptic scenarios of civil war, poverty, famine, diseases such as AIDS and failed states, for example). Using selected case studies, we will explore political, economic, and socio-cultural characteristics of both modern and traditional Africa and through critical evaluation of course materials obtain a more balanced portrayal of the continent and its development.

Health & Culture in the Dominican Republic*
IDH 4200-008
Instructor: Lindy Davidson
Monday/Wednesday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Students will explore the many factors contributing to health in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the semester, we will consider political, economic, environmental, structural, spiritual, and cultural perspectives that impact health in the Dominican Republic. At the end of the semester, students will participate in an Honors service trip to the Dominican Republic, where we will work with the Kerolle Initiative for Community Health. On the trip, students will serve in mobile medical clinics, stay in homes with community members, and participate in service projects to improve the overall health of the communities in and around Sosúa. Travel to the Dominican Republic is a requirement of the course. Please apply through the Honors website.

*This course is permitted for students accepted to the December 2025 service trip to the Dominican Republic. For priority consideration, apply by March 19.

Global Perspectives of Health: An Ubuntu Approach
IDH 4200-009
Instructor: Lydia Asana
Monday| 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

The concept of Ubuntu acknowledges the interconnectedness of human experiences. In this course, students will explore multidimensional health considerations for individuals, communities, and nations around the world to better understand core global health components such as health access disparities, collaboration, sustainable solutions, and health equity. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to health with examples from diverse locations and cultures, students will be guided towards new and renewed appreciation of the value of investments not only in their own health, but also the health of others. Students will be prompted to identify current gaps and gains in health and challenged to propose creative, feasible solutions that can contribute to sustainable stride overall global health gains. To this end, this course will empathize the opportunities and value of varied approaches. Guest speakers will provide real-world examples of diverse approaches to global health contributions. Students will be invited to draw on their interests and strengths as assets to strengthening an ubuntu approach to health.

Healthy Planet, Healthy People
IDH 4200-010
Instructor: Lydia Asana
Monday | 8:00 - 10:45 a.m.

The health of individuals and populations is intricately tied to the spaces they occupy, be it their personal spaces, or the broader geographical locations where they live, work and play. While these spaces are influenced by those who directly inhabit them, significant contributions to the health of environments come from the lifestyle choices of others, both those next door and those across the globe. In order to restore, preserve, and enhance health, it is imperative that individuals grow in their awareness of the influence their choices have on the environment, and actions that can make a difference. In this course students will be guided to explore factors that influence the health of their immediate environments as well as global spaces. These factors will include consumption, transportation, industry, and national policies. The course will include socio-economic, cultural, geographical, and policy realities and perspectives from multiple global locations. Guest speakers will provide real-world examples of diverse approaches to environmental stewardship efforts. Students will be prompted to identify current gaps and gains and challenged to propose creative, feasible, incremental solutions that can contribute to transformative, sustainable gains in the care and enjoyment of our planet, which in turns results in health and wellbeing for the humans, flora and fauna that inhabit those spaces.

Language and Meaning Across Cultures
IDH 4200-011
Instructor: Mark Lane-Holbert
Tuesday/Thursday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

This course investigates the relationship between language, culture, and meaning, offering an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates interdisciplinary international studies, linguistics, anthropology, and psychology. Through documentary films, ethnographic case studies, and real-world examples of international service, students will explore how language both shapes and reflects cultural identity, values, and social structures. A key component of the course is the use of films created by native filmmakers, showcasing original languages and storytelling traditions to provide a firsthand account of cultural immersion and meaning-making. By examining linguistic frameworks in diverse societies, students will gain insight into how language influences perception, decision-making, and social cohesion. This exploration extends to the bio-psycho-social dimensions of language, including how different cultures conceptualize intimacy, aging, mental health, and well-being. Through the lens of applied linguistics and cultural anthropology, students will analyze how communication practices impact personal and collective notions of purpose, resilience, and belonging in an interconnected world.

One of the central themes of the course is how linguistic relativity-the idea that the structure of a language affects cognition-shapes human interactions with the environment, sustainability efforts, and social adaptation. By examining indigenous languages, multilingual societies, and linguistic preservation efforts, students will assess how language influences environmental stewardship, policy-making, and cultural survival in an era of globalization. Case studies will span communities in the Americas and the Pacific Islands, multilingual societies in Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as linguistic diversity in the Middle East. These case studies will highlight the intersection of language with social identity, migration, regional policies, and ecological knowledge systems. Students will also explore modern challenges such as work-life balance in global contexts, linguistic barriers in health care, and the effects of digital communication on cultural preservation. By the end of the course, students will develop a deep appreciation for the ways language and culture shape human experience, but also cultivate critical thinking, cross-cultural communication skills, and a global perspective essential for engaging in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Non-Citizen Experience and Finding Home: Immigrants, Refugees, and Exiles
IDH 4200-012
Instructor: Nazek Jawad
Tuesday/Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Population movement and displacement has been an increasingly powerful phenomenon in our global age. This course considers the experiences of immigrants, refugees, and exiles from the perspective of human rights theory. The aim of this course is to instigate critical thinking of the complexity of their experiences, which is critical for an informed debate. We begin our conversations by examining the state as a moral agent, and state boundaries’ function of inclusion/exclusion. We will examine the causes and consequences of displacement. Why do people migrate across international borders? How do we understand the politics of immigration and the policies that let some people in, but keep others out? We will also spend considerable time learning about immigrants' process of integration and “learning” their new home. We will look at socioeconomic integration and consider broader questions of belonging and membership. In this class we will engage with various learning materials, including documentaries, to learn about and reflect on various human experiences in relation to migration. You will also reflect on a story of migration within your surroundings, and compose a migration narrative and create an interactive, multimedia Story Map. In addition, we will explore the immense power of food as a vehicle for cultural preservation and expression and work together on a collaborative project compiling a cookbook, where you can share authentic narratives, anecdotes, and recipes of dishes that remind you of home.

Bollywood, Biriyani, and Beyond: The South Asian Diaspora Experience
IDH 4200-013
Instructor: Nivethitha Ketheeswaran
Tuesday | 12:30 - 3:15 p.m.

This course is an in-depth exploration of the South Asian Diaspora Experience. Many different social, economic, political, and cultural identities make up what is considered the South Asian diaspora. Simultaneously, the South Asian diaspora has become a large organizing phenomenon. This duality is worthy of critical inquiry and analysis, which students in this course will use interdisciplinary methods to engage in. We will explore films, texts, food, cultural artifacts, and local community engagement. This course asks students to engage in creative writing, art projects, group presentations, and community engagement projects. Students will learn to explore their own place in diaspora, the role of the South Asian diaspora community in major historical events, and the role of the South Asian diaspora community here in Tampa Bay.

Food, Society and Culture in the Mediterranean Region
IDH 4200-014
Instructor: Raja Benchekroun
Monday/Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Ahlan wa Sahlan: Welcome to Food, Society and Culture in the Mediterranean Region!

Food often carries significant social and cultural importance in many societies. In this course, we will explore food traditions in the Mediterranean region and Mid-East Asia, focusing on their identification as Arab-Mediterranean Cuisine and the complexities this identification presents within the region’s multicultural identities. We’ll examine how recipes and dietary practices pass knowledge from one generation to the next, the stories food tells, and how it preserves cultural heritage and reinforces family values. Students will have the opportunity to explore Mediterranean and Eastern cuisine in the Tampa Bay communities. What does food reveal about the nature of its people and the origins of its identity? How has taste traveled across the Arab region and beyond? How has comfort food preserved its authentic flavors and cooking techniques? Together, we will investigate the journey of food as it narrates key historical events, agricultural challenges, celebrations, religion, and dietary customs in the Eastern world. Students will learn to navigate cultures through food, network with diverse community members, and participate in field trips to local food festivals and Arab and Eastern restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.

The Kingdom of Morocco and the Andalusian-Maghrebi Cultural Heritage in North Africa
IDH 4200-015
Instructor: Raja Benchekroun
Monday/Wednesday | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

In the Northwestern Moroccan city of Tangier, one can catch a glimpse of the lights from Southern Spain. Welcome to the Kingdom of Morocco "Mraheba Beekum." Morocco stands as a country that not only preserves but also showcases a living example of the interconnectedness between two cultures and the art of preserving and protecting a shared heritage. In this course, students will delve into the Andalusian-Maghrebi cultural heritage, exploring the profound impact of Morocco on Southern Spain, and examine Al Andalus and how it shaped the cultural, linguistic and religious landscape of the Maghreb region (North Africa) and Southern Spain. Students will examine the migrations of communities in times of harmony and crisis, and the narratives they brought along to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, including cities like Tetouan, Melilla, Chefchaouen, and others along the coast. We will raise questions and navigate current initiatives led by academics and organizations to revive Al Andalus. In our cultural exploration, we will inquire about the history of Andalusia and the Moors, delving into what Al Andalus signifies to the diverse communities within North Africa and surrounding areas. Students will also explore new discoveries and projects aimed at reviving the untold stories of Andalusia through literature, creative expression, architecture, historical sites, and the golden age of Andalusian scholarly work.

US and the UK: The Special Relationship, Myth or Reality? Trans-Atlanticism in the Contemporary World
IDH 4200-016
Instructor: Ralph Wilcox
Tuesday/Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

The “special relationship” between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain has been a central feature of trans-Atlantic and Anglo-American relations since 1945 and before. This course examines the nature and significance of the alliance over time utilizing a multi-faceted framework that includes political and diplomatic relations, strategic and security matters, trade and economic cooperation, social, legal, religious, environmental considerations and cultural appropriation. Set in historical perspective, students will assess trans-Atlantic tensions and threats to the “special relationship” throughout time and consider the current state and likelihood of sustaining a mutually beneficial partnership in the future. Utilizing documentary evidence to better understand individual (including presidents, prime ministers and the monarchy) and institutional (big business and media for example) connections, and critically evaluating the symbolism, myth and reality of trans-Atlanticism, the class will explore notions of empire, American and British exceptionalism, and the significance of the alliance to the world today.

Beasts and Burdens: Survival, Imagination, and Risk in the (Global) South
IDH 4200-017
Instructor: Ulluminair Salim
Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

"Can the subaltern speak?" - Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

Beasts and Burdens leverages film as a discursive site in which to investigate the "south” not only as a physical, geographical location but as a position of marginality. Along the way, we will investigate our own southern positionalities vis a vis Gloria Anzaldúa’s concept of borderlands epistemologies; that is, what are the ways in which we all inhabit and traverse multiple worlds and marginalities? GK Chesterton observed, “The traveler sees what they see whereas the tourist sees what they have come to see.” During the course, students will travel through diverse topographies, accompanying, among others, Hushpuppy and Wink through Beasts of the Southern Wild; refugees through Ai Weiwei’s Human Flow; Jamal, Salim, and Latika through Slumdog Millionaire; and the Kim and Park families through Parasite, investigating themes of trauma and resilience, power, privilege, agency, and the ways in which inequality actually gets under our skin. Beasts and Burdens seeks to center the margins, beginning with Gayathri Spivak's question, “Can the subaltern speak,” and by expansion, “Can the subaltern be heard and to what ends?” Finally, we will examine the emotion work of the “happy ending,” and the ways in which we can overcome a false sense of powerlessness to affect positive change.

Rethinking Selves and Communities: Latina Feminist Philosophy and the Twenty-first Century
IDH 4200-018
Instructor: Zachary Purdue
Monday/Wednesday | 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

The world is changing, and what it means to be a person or a community changes along with the world. In an era of accelerating migration as people flee their homes to escape war, violent crime, and climate crises, humans and our cultures press together. Cultures previously isolated now live among each other, increasingly integrating, blending, and coexisting. As our communities multiply, so do our selves. This course investigates theories of the self and community emerging out of recent developments in Latina Feminist Philosophy, focusing predominantly on the work of Gloria Anzaldúa, María Lugones, and Mariana Ortega. Additional topics include the relationship between the self and language, tactics for multicultural community building, and creative possibilities for resistance movements. The course's approach strongly resembles courses in the history of philosophy. Classes consist of seminar-style close readings and discussions of primary sources. There is little to no classical lecturing. Evaluation methods are almost entirely writing and participation, with no tests.

Global Citizenship and Interculturality: Prospects and Challenges
IDH 4200-019
Instructor: Zakaria Fahmi
Tuesday | 12:30 - 3:15 p.m.

As the world becomes increasingly interdependent due to globalization, the need for intercultural awareness becomes more indispensable than ever. In light of the assimilative forces of globalization and its spread of narrowly constructed identities, interculturality proposes a relational approach to understand, appreciate, and respect cultural differences as a complex, interconnected whole. This awareness encompasses the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enable the development of cross-cultural sensitivity and reciprocal adjustment to ensure social harmony on the local and global scales. While maintaining the interconnectedness of our communities and reinforcing a sense of belonging as responsible global citizens, fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting cooperation help us tackle the shared risks of globalization. Our cultural identities are prone to the cultural sameness prompted by the dynamics of globalization, which often tend to conflate diversity with multiplicity. In this sense, interculturality and global citizenship work in tandem not only to value the enrichment of cultural diversity and empathy for difference, but also to inspire cooperation to alleviate systemic disparities and ensure equitable growth for local and global communities, without any hegemonic undertones. Drawing from theoretical and applied social sciences (e.g., applied linguistics, cultural studies, intercultural communication, post-colonial literature, and social psychology), using blended learning of class lectures and seminars, this course explores the meaning and role of interculturality, while uncovering the extent to which global citizenship, as a set of values and commitments, presents a challenging construct conceptually and empirically.

IDH 4930: Special Topics

Local Government and Public Advocacy
IDH 4930-001
Instructor: Harry Cohen
Friday| 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

County governments and municipalities provide essential services that affect people’s lives in the most intimate and immediate ways:

Water for drinking, bathing and irrigation, wastewater and stormwater management
911/emergency response and first responders including fire rescue and law enforcement
Courts and jails
Parks and pools and splashpads
Support for arts and culture
Not to mention animal control and large swaths of our transportation and ports network ...

Go behind the scenes and talk to policymakers about the challenges facing local governments today. Learn about leadership from people who have run large and complex organizations in the public sector. Develop techniques to make your voice heard. Learn effective tools for influencing outcomes, not just standing on the sidelines. Meet current and former elected officials who will share “how things really work.” Assignments will feature interaction with local officials regarding a subject area of the student’s interest. This class will involve a limited number of field trips including but not limited to Tampa International Airport, Port Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Water Desalination Facility and government offices in downtown Tampa. Where practicable, transportation and/or complimentary parking may be provided on an as-needed basis, but flexibility and cooperation related to site visits is expected, and students should anticipate extra time for travel on site visit weeks.

IDH 4950: Honors Capstone

Civic Literacy and Current Events
IDH 4950-001
Instructor: Daniel Ruth
Monday | 8:00 - 10:45 a.m.

This class is designed to give students an enhanced understanding of world events and civic institutions that influence their lives. Students will emerge from this class with a better grasp of the news of the day and the confidence to be able to articulate its importance on their journey to becoming a more engaged citizen. To that end, students will be required to read the online editions of The Tampa Bay Times, The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as follow other information platforms such as NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and other outlets. This course will include a news quiz. Students will also participate in weekly team presentations exploring in-depth some aspect of current news events or various civic institutions. It is said journalism often represents the first draft of history. The goals of this class are two-fold. First, students will become better informed and thus more aware of the stories that help them form a world view. Second, students will gain a keener understanding of the journalistic challenges associated with news gathering. Lastly, this is a capstone class and therefore students will be required to submit a paper at the end of the semester.

Memoir Writing: Crafting Personal Narratives for Reflection and Growth
IDH 4950-002
Instructor: Deepak Singh
Monday/Wednesday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

This workshop-based course focuses on the art of memoir writing, guiding students to transform personal experiences into compelling narratives while exploring the therapeutic benefits of storytelling. Writing about our lives fosters self-understanding, emotional release, and personal growth. Through exercises, reading assignments, and peer workshops, students will learn to craft vivid scenes, develop a unique voice, and navigate the ethical challenges of writing about real people and events. Readings include memoirs like:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Mary Karr’s The Liars’ Club
Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking
Essays by David Sedaris, and Vivian Gornick

Over the semester, students will draft, critique, reflect, and revise their creative writing, culminating in a polished final project. By the end of the course, they will have a completed memoir piece and a deeper appreciation of how writing can promote emotional well-being.

Policing and the Constitution
IDH 4950-003
Instructor: Elizabeth Cass
Tuesday/Thursday | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

This course explores the constitutional and legal principles shaping interactions between citizens, law enforcement, and the courts in the United States. With a focus on the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, we examine key questions such as:

Under what circumstances can law enforcement "seize" a person?
When can deadly force be used to apprehend someone?
What defines a search, and when is a warrant required?
How is eyewitness testimony used at trial?
How does the law protect the right against self-incrimination?

Through team-based collaborative learning, students will discuss and debate the ongoing challenge of balancing individual rights and society's interest in crime control. In the capstone project, students will demonstrate their ability to examine the impact of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments on a topic relevant to their major.

Systems Thinking for Sustainability
IDH 4950-004
Instructor: Kebreab Ghebremichael
Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Sustainability is an important topic of discussion as humanity faces existential threats. The complex nature of the challenges to sustainable development cannot be solved by the conventional approaches of analysis and decision making we have been following for centuries. Hence approaches based on systems thinking and multidisciplinary approaches are required. In this course we will use systems thinking tools to explore interdependencies, understand behaviors, and develop solutions to complex sustainability challenges (social, economic, and environment). We will discuss real life case studies and consider sustainability related problems on campus or communities in the Tamba Bay Area using a group project assignment. The project will use social science field methods to demonstrate how one can develop culturally appropriate solutions by engaging community members/organizations. The course is suited for students from multiple disciplines. It allows them to discuss with colleagues and peers on sustainability related topics from different perspectives.

Advancing Your Future - Serve as a Consultant for a Better Tomorrow
IDH 4950-005
Instructor: Michael Cross
Tuesday/Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

You will serve on a consultant team of peers to develop a comprehensive proposal for adoption by a local community organization. Experts from USF's Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation (IADI) will join our course at key points to provide insight and mentorship from their experiences in the world of health and institutions. You will be assigned work geared to support the mission of a non-profit organization in the local Tampa Bay region that includes understanding their challenges, building a network of support on their behalf, and navigating complex problems. In previous semesters, we have worked with WeNourish, an organization founded to ensure that those undernourished in our local community due to the pandemic were provided with hot meals. They were able to do this through a grant from Hillsborough County which empowered them to sustain local restaurants which would otherwise close from lack of business. With mentorship from IADI faculty, you will develop a substantive proposal on behalf of a non-profit as well as present your progress throughout. The community partner will join throughout the semester to provide context for their needs and direction during the development of the proposal.

2030 World Cup in Morocco: Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development
IDH 4950-006
Instructor: Raja Benchekroun
Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

This capstone course provides an immersive exploration of Morocco’s dynamic tourism industry and rich cultural heritage, which drew 17 million visitors in the summer of 2024. As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 African Cup in December and the 2030 World Cup, students will gain firsthand insights into the country’s rapidly growing international markets and strategic developments in hospitality, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism.

A key component of this course is a collaborative project with Moroccan students, where participants will engage in hands-on activities to develop proposals for micro-business ventures or sustainable initiatives, with an emphasis on securing potential funding opportunities. Through cross-cultural collaboration, critical analysis, and real-world application, this course equips students with valuable skills in the field of international business, tourism, and sustainable development.

Perspectives in Performing Arts Health Care
IDH 4950-007
Instructor: Sarah Klopfenstine-Wear
Thursday | 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

This course provides an overview of the physical and mental health issues of performing artists as a vulnerable and underserved population and explores evidence-based solutions to advance health care and health access to this population. Completion of the course will leave students with specific knowledge and an empathetic approach to caring for performing artists that can translate into caring for the general population.

Awareness in Motion (Graphic)
IDH 4950-008
Instructor: Tamara Nemirovsky
Tuesday | 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Motion Graphic animation is becoming an important medium for creating awareness and explaining important topics to better our community. In this course, students will develop skills in creating infographic animations that address societal challenges, with a focus on public health. In partnership with USF's College of Public Health, students will produce Public Health Service Announcements (PSAs) using motion graphics. These projects will target public health issues in the Tampa Bay area, proposing solutions and encouraging community action. Adobe After Effects and Illustrator will be the primary software used in this course. No prior experience with motion graphics is required.

Creative 3-D Printing and Fabrication
IDH 4950-009
Instructor: Tina Piracci
Monday | 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

This hands-on studio course explores the creative potential of 3D printing and digital fabrication, equipping students with the skills to design, prototype, and produce functional and artistic objects. Through a combination of technical instruction and creative experimentation, students will engage with a variety of fabrication techniques, including 3D modeling, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and complementary digital and traditional fabrication methods. A key component of the course will involve designing and fabricating custom tools for the Honors Building Art Studio and Tech Media Studio, giving students the opportunity to apply their skills toward real-world applications that enhance shared creative spaces. Emphasis will be placed on both practical problem-solving and conceptual innovation, encouraging students to think critically about the intersection of technology, design, and artistic expression.

For the final project, students will have the freedom to propose and develop either an artistic creation or a functional invention using the fabrication techniques learned in class. Whether producing sculptural works, interactive installations, or innovative tools and devices, students will gain experience in iterative design, prototyping, and production workflows. This project can be driven by independent prompting, or in collaboration with a community partner who may have a need for a custom tool. For instance, the Coral Restoration Foundation is in need of specialized cleaning tools for their coral tree nurseries, or the Honors College Oyster Restoration Brick (ORB) researchers are looking for design solutions to optimize their clay printing workflows. No prior experience with 3D printing or fabrication is required, just a willingness to experiment and explore new creative possibilities. By the end of the course, students will leave with a portfolio of projects, a deeper understanding of digital fabrication technologies, and the confidence to bring their ideas to life.

Connections: Mental Health, Community Engagement, and Art
IDH 4950-010
Instructor: Ulluminair Salim
Thursday | 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.

“Develop your senses-especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” - Leonardo da Vinci

In collaboration with the Tampa Museum of Art's Connections program, Judy Genshaft Honors College students will garner skills to facilitate therapeutic interactions with works of art for patient groups dealing with diagnoses such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression, substance use disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). During the semester, students will acquire methods that have been found to help (neuro)diverse museum attendees to access and express memories, improve communication skills, externalize emotions, relieve stress and anxiety, and promote positive feelings as they share their personal artistic interpretations without fear of judgement or failure. Students also will practice observation, deep listening, and critical thinking to aid in the facilitation process.

At the end of the term, students will facilitate therapeutic interactions with art during Connections-inspired museum tours with friends and family, drawing upon Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and other forms of artistic engagement such as tactile and musical experiences, culminating in the development of a community-engaged research project at the intersection of mental healthcare, community engagement, museology, and art.

We will conduct class onsite at the Tampa Museum of Art, so please allow time to travel back and forth when you are planning your schedule. While transportation is not provided, parking is validated.

Transitional Justice
IDH 4950-011
Instructor: Alma Dedic-Sarenkapa
Tuesday/Thursday | 11:00 - 12:15 p.m.

In the realm of international politics, countries in transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy or from war to peace often face multiple transitions and different challenges, for instance, the challenge of overcoming past abuses of human rights such as political executions, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, or genocide. Such societies at times reach for transitional justice mechanisms to redress past atrocities and human rights violations. Transitional Justice (TJ) mechanisms consist of judicial and non-judicial measures, including truth-seeking mechanisms, reparation programs, and institutional reforms. This complex set of measures, if applied in countries in transition, can offer reconciliatory elements for grieving and often divided societies on their path to democracy and global trends. This course will offer an exploration of Transitional Justice mechanisms using real-life experiences. Yet together we will reach even further and look into our own society and the communities we live in. What can we learn from societies in transition? Can we apply such measures and experiences in our own society and communities? In this course, students will practice how to bridge the gap between academic concepts and real-life experiences in a complex environment using a problem-solving approach and TJ tools. Through a series of thematic sessions, case studies, and student-led workshops, students will learn how to obtain input for project ideas they wish to investigate.

IDH 4970: Honors Thesis

Thesis I
IDH 4970-001
Instructor: Atsuko Sakai

Students should enroll in Thesis I when they are in the final 2-4 semesters of completing their degree. Please go to Honors Thesis for more information and compare different Research Track options. No permit required. Only juniors and seniors may enroll in thesis.

Thesis II
IDH 4970-002
Instructor: Atsuko Sakai

Permit required. Only students who have completed Thesis I may enroll in Thesis II.

Judy Genshaft Honors College

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