Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Honors Independent Study

HONR 4990-H01

Course: HONR 4990-H01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: LIB
CRN: 32925

Course Description

Students desiring to pursue a topic in more detail, conduct undergraduate research, or study a topic on a subject the University does not offer may contract with the Honors Director for one-on-one guidance. Students are encouraged to meet with the Honors Director prior to enrolling in the course to discuss their independent study plans. (As Needed) [Pass/Fail] Registration Restriction(s): Acceptance into Honors Program; Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Required texts are dependent on the nature of the honors independent study.

Learning Outcomes

Students must choose learning outcomes relating to their independent study from the SUU Essential Learning Outcomes document and will vary accordingly.

Course Requirements

Purpose: The honors program independent study course offers an opportunity for students to study topics not offered through other courses at SUU. Additionally, students earn credit toward honors graduation by completing the coursework.
Proposal Instructions: Provide the following information to the instructor of the course by Friday, September 12th.
The information should be shared via Google Docs (katieenglert@suu.edu) with commenting privileges enabled for the instructor.
  • Your name
  • Your major/minor
  • The topic or theme to be studied during the semester - please provide detailed information - this should include as much information as possible so it is VERY clear what you intend to do and how you intend to receive credit for this course.
  • The number of credits you will earn through the independent study - be sure to change this with the registrar if needed.
    • One credit= approximately 30-45 hours of work
    • Two Credits= approximately 60-90 hours of work
    • Three credits=  approximately 100-135 hours of work
  • A very detailed description of what you plan to do for the independent study including:
    • Justification for studying this topic
    • The SUU essential learning outcomes (ELO)
       that will be addressed through this work and a description of how you will address each ELO (pick up to 4)
    • A detailed timeline that includes assignment descriptions and due dates
    • A description of all work that will be created through this experience (papers, presentations, reflections, artistic projects, etc.), including an estimate of time spent on each task
    • A list of resources that you will utilize to achieve your goals (books, professors, online materials, etc.)
Please be as detailed as possible with the above information or your proposal will be returned to be updated.
Other information: It is expected that you will make an appointment to meet with the instructor three times throughout the semester to discuss your progress (students can book appts during my office hours: https://katieenglert.youcanbook.me/). If you cannot meet me during my office hours, please email me at katieenglert@suu.edu to schedule an appt., at an alternative time either online or via zoom. 
The deadlines for these meetings are by September 30th, October 31st, and December 8th. Meetings can happen more frequently if desired. Failing to meet with the instructor will impact your success in this course.
Please remember this is a pass/fail course.

Course Outline

The course outline will be dependent on the nature of each individual student and the course topic of their choosing - in other words, the student will design the content of the course outline in collaboration with the instructor.

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

For all assignments, students who submit their work on time will have the opportunity to revise their work and resubmit for a better grade. However, if you turn in an assignment late (based on the schedule the student designed) the following will occur:
  • No resubmissions for a higher grade will be possible
  • -5 points per day, each day the assignment is turned in late
I usually do not accept late work unless you have notified me prior to the deadline and we have set up a specific alternative plan.

Attendance Policy

I expect students to show up at appointments they make with me, on time, and ready to discuss the course work as needed, and at minimum, three times per semester.

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.