Honors Seminars 2026-2027
*Seminars will be added throughout the year so check back often.
Spring 2027
Feminist literary utopias envision collective liberation in new societies free of patriarchal structures and relationships. These alternative worlds embrace gender equality and/or alternatives to categories of gender through imagining new politics and identities. The genre has developed over many decades, with new feminist utopias published in the contemporary period. This seminar will introduce you to the genre; we will read and discuss various authors who create alternate worlds by upending gender expectations in essays, short stories, and novels.
Embark on a fun and engaging journey to discover careers that align with who you are! In this course, you’ll explore how your values, interests, identities, personality, and strengths (VIIPS) shape your career path. Through interactive activities, discussions, and hands-on projects, you'll gain essential skills in communication, networking, resume building, and interview success. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personalized career roadmap to help you navigate your time at Cal Poly and beyond. Get ready to find your fit and take the next step toward a future that excites you!
Above all else, mathematics is a creative and collaborative endeavor (despite the impression we might get from our grade school experiences). In this seminar we will experience the joy of mathematics in the form of solving puzzles. The only prerequisites are an intellectual curiosity and a willingness to share ideas.
Agroecology is an integrated approach that applies ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agricultural systems. In this hands-on seminar, we will study the science and practice of agroecology at the CAFES Experimental Farm. We will learn practical gardening skills while also participating in ongoing agroecological research projects. Come learn about the intersection of nature and agriculture. All majors welcome.
Why do rattlesnakes inspire fear, fascination, and fierce debate? In this honors seminar, students from multiple majors will use thematic and sentiment analysis to examine how writers, the news media, social media, and other texts portray rattlesnakes. Along the way, we’ll learn to interpret data, question assumptions, and see how language turns complex issues into emotional narratives. The skills apply far beyond wildlife: they offer a powerful lens for understanding public opinion on any contested topic.
Organic molecules are all around us. From pharmaceuticals to pheromones to polymers to petroleum products, we encounter them daily. We will take a broad look at the diverse functions of organic compounds. In this seminar we will explore a variety of questions that organic chemistry can answer, such as: How does soap work? What clever ways do flowers attract bees for pollination? How many components give Skittles their color? How are polymers made? How do we identify substances at the scene of a crime? No prior knowledge of chemistry is required. Occasional laboratory activities (such as making nylon or isolating plant components, etc.) and/or demos will be included.
Fall Semester 2026
How do we imagine the future? As a genre, science fiction considers how science and technology reshape our society, commenting on contemporary social problems by defamiliarizing them through metaphors like alien invasions or robot uprisings. This seminar explores a selection of global science fiction films from the 1930s to the present, organized around common science fiction tropes like alien contact, time travel, mad science, artificial life, and post-apocalypse. Our discussions will focus on how shared genre tropes can engage differently with topics like race, gender, class, and queerness when imagining future worlds.
Why does the sound of the Theremin invoke a world outside of our home planet?
In this seminar we will survey the evolution and development of Film Scoring in the genre of Science Fiction, from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Bladerunner: 2049 and Dune. Through examining technological demands & innovations, traditional film scoring techniques, and historically notable composers & films, we will discover and discuss the relationship between films and their soundtracks.
College is the perfect time to build strong financial habits that will last a lifetime. This seminar is designed to help students better understand their behaviors around money and make decisions with confidence. Topics include better understanding your financial values and goals, how to create and stick to a budget, savings, managing debt, understanding credit, and navigating tough money conversations with roommates, family, or partners. Through interactive activities and real-life examples, students will gain the tools they need to make informed financial choices that align with their values now and in the future.
