Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Honors Capstone (Online)

HONR 4040-H01

Course: HONR 4040-H01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: LIB
CRN: 32924

Course Description

Under the customized supervision of a faculty mentor, students will prepare a capstone project appropriate to the problems, issues, and research methods of the student’s discipline, which will represent the culmination of their work in the Honors Program and prepare them for advanced study. They are required to provide a deliverable (written or otherwise) representing this capstone and present it to an appropriate audience. Students may sign up for 1-3 credits, depending on the amount of work they propose to conduct during the semester (upon consultation with the course instructor). (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 3 Registration Restriction(s): Acceptance into Honors Program, Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

There is no required text for this course. 
Recommended Text
Charles Lipson’s How to Write a BA Thesis: a practical guide from your first ideas to your finished paper (available to borrow from the Honors Office)

Learning Outcomes

Potential Learning Outcomes:
Communication: You will develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, visually, kinesthetically, through design or aurally.
Digital Literacy: You will strategically and responsibly employ appropriate technologies to explore, create, collaborate, and organize in a digital context.
Information Literacy: You will identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically.
Problem Solving: You will design, evaluate, and implement strategies to answer open-ended questions or achieve the desired goal.
Lifelong Learning: You will demonstrate that you possess the skills and dispositions that are necessary for a self-sufficient learner to engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities with the aim of improving knowledge, skills, and competence.
Integrative Learning: You will make connections among ideas and experiences and will be able to synthesize and transfer your learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus.

Course Requirements

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS: An overview of major assignments and activities is provided below. Please see the course schedule for a detailed outline of course topics, assignments, activities, and deadlines.
Monthly interactions with the Instructor: You will individually meet with the course instructor three times throughout the semester to update your progress in the course (either in person or via zoom office hour interactions).
Example Cover Letter and Resume: You will write a practical cover letter (1) applying to a graduate or professional program, (2) applying for an internship or job, or (3) proposing a formal research project. You will include your current resume with this cover letter.
LinkedIn Digital Assignment: You will create a LinkedIn account and build a professional resume.
Capstone Project Proposal: If you haven't already, you will create a formal written proposal appropriate for your individual capstone project as a Google Doc, which you will share with your instructor for approval. Most proposals require, at the minimum, a detailed discussion of the topic, a detailed description of the project, a timeline of the expected work, a detailed discussion of expectations, and a detailed discussion of the research that needs to be done. Students are encouraged to view examples of approved capstone proposals prior to submitting their own and be sure to have their capstone mentor review and approve prior to submission to the honors office.
Mentor Agreement: You will seek the mentorship of an SUU faculty member with disciplinary expertise in the topic area of the capstone. You should determine how often you will meet to discuss your capstone progress. This relationship is extremely important to successfully completing your capstone project.
Annotated Bibliography/Literature Review: You will locate at least 10 scholarly and appropriate popular sources, create a formal annotated bibliography or Literature Review in the most appropriate citation style for your discipline, and discuss each source in terms of (1) its content and (2) its relevant value. Most students complete a literature review, which is heavily focused on in the HONR 3040 course.
Capstone Presentation: You will use an appropriate digital delivery system to share either a snapshot of your progress on your capstone project or the finalized and completed project.
Capstone Project: You will share either a formal written capstone project “update report” with your instructor as a Google Doc or the finalized, completed project deliverable.
Capstone Reflection: You will share either a written Capstone Reflection for your Capstone project or an "update report" indicating what needs to be completed including your current thoughts on your project.
ePortfolio (optional): You will include all required assignments, documents, and other relevant information relating to your major, Honors Capstone, or otherwise (i.e. teaching portfolio, artistic works, etc.) in an online ePortfolio created and updated by you by the end of the semester.

Course Outline

Please click on the following link to the view the FA 25 HONR 4040-H01 Honors Capstone course schedule.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Instructor's policies on grading, late assignments and/or makeup work, and other related expectations:
Course Format
This course is different from courses outside the Honors Program in that you, the student, have the opportunity to help shape and direct the class. My job as an instructor is to take on the role of facilitator as you participate in an active and meaningful way. This course is set up to provide Honors students the time they need to complete their Honors Capstone Projects. All students may be in different parts of the process, but all students need to complete (or update their progress) on all of the major Capstone requirements by the end of the class. These requirements include:
  • Monthly one-to-one meetings with the instructor,
  • The Capstone Proposal,
  • 10 Item Annotated Bibliography or Literature Review,
  • Mentor Agreement,
  • Cover Letter and Resume,
  • LinkedIn Assignment,
  • Capstone Presentation,
  • Capstone Project, and
  • Capstone Reflection.
In addition, all students have the option of creating an ePortfolio to showcase completed work.

Grading/Late Work
This course is graded. If students do not complete the Capstone requirements mentioned above, they will be deducted a full letter grade for each missing requirement (or update) and their ability to graduate with Honors may be compromised. Please communicate with Katie if unforeseen circumstances arise and you are unable to complete a portion of your work. She is more than willing to work with students and support their success.
Readings, Lectures, and Canvas
Our class will utilize Canvas for readings, assignments, and other relevant course resources. To facilitate a dynamic discussion-based class environment, you are expected to have completed assigned readings and associated assignment(s) prior to participating. Participation will be facilitated based on that expectation. On Canvas, posts will include assignment instructions and details, due date and time, grading rubric, and a place to submit your assignment online. If you have questions about an assignment, check Canvas first, ask me second, and your classmates third. If something does not look right, let me know ASAP so I can check and fix it if necessary.

It is expected that all student work submitted will be typed in a standard 12-point font, double spaced, and with one-inch margins. No exceptions. All resources used should be cited following either the APA/MLA formatting and style guides. Please visit the SUU Writing Center or the Purdue Online Writing Lab website for more information.
Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (NOLS, 1996) in all class activities, regardless of setting:
  • Serve the mission and goals of the group
  • Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • Support leadership and growth in everyone
  • Respect the cultures you contact
  • Be kind and open-hearted
  • Do your share and stay organized
  • Help others, but don’t routinely do their work
  • Model integrity by being honest and accountable
  • Admit and correct your mistakes
Writing and Grammar
Competent writing skills are imperative in nearly every sector of the working world (http://www.inc.com/kaleigh-moore/study-poor-writing-skills-are-costing-businesses-billions.html). Consequently, written work and communication is expected to be concise, well organized and with minimal errors (please proof-read and use spell check!). Grammar and professionalism will be criteria for grading on all assigned written material. For additional writing resources and assistance, visit the SUU Writing Center (https://www.suu.edu/writingcenter/) or the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/). 
Questions/Concerns
I will always find time to assist students outside of class.  Please talk to me during the semester if you’re feeling stuck, unclear about a topic, concerned about your grade, unhappy about an aspect of the class, dreaming about your next outdoor adventure, can’t find someone else to talk about your love of photography, etc. Do not wait until the end of the semester to see me if you’re having difficulties early on, and please bring concerns to my attention in a timely manner so I may make a reasonable effort to address them. Additionally, you can always go to the Library Department Chair, Phil Roche (roche@suu.edu), if you feel uncomfortable coming to me. We want to ensure you are getting the answers you need to any questions or concerns you are having within the Honors program.
Extra credit
Students may receive extra credit for each A.P.E.X. event, Pizza and Politics, or Entrepreneurship Speaker Series they attend throughout the semester.
To receive extra credit, submit to Canvas notes on the event and a 1 page summary of the event you attended within a week of the event. Students should acknowledge how this information is relevant to their lives and education.
Class Statement on Generative AI
Within this course, you are not allowed to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) applications to create, draft, or complete the majority of the assignments. However, there are some assignments that indicate AI is allowed. Within the instructions of those assignments you will find directions on how and why AI is allowed as part of that specific assignment. If you are unsure if you can use AI applications as part of the assignment, please reach out to me via the General Q&A Discussion board or by emailing me directly.

Attendance Policy

Participation
You should check Canvas several times throughout the week for updates.  It is important to remember being a part of the SUU Honors Program is a privilege that all students should take seriously, and participating in all course activities reflects the integrity of a responsible Honors student. Please let me know should a conflict arise as I am always willing to work with students. Students will be expected to meet with Katie one-to-one throughout the semester (each month) to communicate their progress in the class. Alternatively, students can also meet with class peers to obtain and receive feedback throughout the course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.