Curriculum and Courses

Curriculum

The HonorsX Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies is uniquely designed with an emphasis on the intersection of justice and sustainability — and rotates topics each academic year. In Summer ‘23, the HonorsX cohort will explore “Developing Sustainable Societies.” Aligned with the university’s legacy commitment to equity and social justice, this topic grapples with how advances in science and technology create some of our greatest dilemmas and how best we sustain ourselves to evolve and adapt to our surroundings.

As an HonorsX student, you are part of a cohort, entering at the same time and remaining together for summer, fall and spring semesters. Working in teams and drawing from diverse perspectives, you will research real problems and propose solutions that will have a tangible impact on surrounding communities. You’ll learn through hands-on experiences inside and outside the classroom, with faculty experts outside your major and with industry thought leaders. HonorsX provides foundational experiences in practical problem-solving and teamwork necessary for you to positively impact today's interconnected world.

If you dream of tackling challenging social problems in your communities and the world — and want to do so by collaborating with peers, faculty and mentors across disciplines — HonorsX is for you.

Courses

Each HonorsX course emphasizes cross-disciplinary, integrative approaches to problem-solving, intervening in vital social issues with an eye to the future. Each is co-taught by expert faculty in three different disciplines.

You will take UNVS 120, UNVS 121, and UNVS 122 in Summer '23, Fall '23, and Spring '24. All other courses can be taken at any time before you graduate.

UNVS 120: Summer Session (Full Scholarship)

Summer semester: Introduction to the topic of "Developing Sustainable Societies." Student teams articulate the basic definition of the problem and explore multiple dimensions available for addressing it. Summer scholarship includes four nights in SJSU dorms.

UNVS 121: Fall Semester

Fall semester: Students learn research methodologies and develop disciplinary expertise on sustainability.

UNVS 122: Spring Semester

Spring semester: Student teams work in-depth on group projects. Final projects may propose advocacy campaigns, policy changes, new tools, or other types of solutions. Final public presentation to campus and community.