Beyond the Lecture Hall

Why honors courses aren’t harder — they’re just a different way to learn

By Jack Racki and Charlie Moretta 

Picture this: You’re walking into a classroom where discussions are deeper, professors know your name, and assignments challenge you to think beyond the textbook. 

Instead of being in a packed lecture hall where you must sit close enough to even hear the professor, you can be in a comfortable classroom where you can sit almost anywhere you’d like. 

Honors courses at the University of Iowa take learning to the next level, transforming traditional coursework into an interactive, thought-provoking experience. College is what you make of it — so why not challenge yourself in an environment designed for ambitious, curious students?  

At the University of Iowa, honors students complete 12 semester hours of honors coursework within their first four semesters. And although this may sound like a rigorous commitment, these courses are designed to be engaging, discussion-based, and intellectually rewarding, offering students a chance to dive deeper into subjects they’re passionate about while connecting with like-minded peers.  

Dr. Emily Hill, associate director of the honors program, discussed the recurrent misconceptions honors students have about taking honors credit courses. Is it harder? Is this the advanced placement version of college?

“We want it not to be harder, just a different type of learning environment,” Hill said.  

Many students assume honors courses at the UI will mirror their high school Advanced Placement (AP) or honors experiences — time-consuming, and packed with extra work. However, that’s a misconception. 

These courses aren’t necessarily harder; they’re structured to promote deeper engagement and meaningful discussions rather than an increased workload. The courses are designed in a way that allows students to engage in deeper discussions, think critically, and collaborate effectively rather than creating an increased workload. 

Simply stated, honors courses are an opportunity for individuals with a similar drive to learn to do so together.  The honors program provides a teaching toolkit to help professors understand the desired atmosphere for students. Of course, each faculty member is going to have their own way of teaching a class.  

While honors courses offer a unique and enriching academic experience, they might not be the right fit for everyone. Hill finds there are types of students who would prefer this type of learning environment. She mentioned how honors courses are designed for students who thrive in a smaller, more interactive learning environment.

They are for those curious students who are motivated to participate and be part of a community. A student who prefers a more independent, lecture-based learning style may not thrive in an honors course environment. If someone enjoys listening to lectures, taking notes, and studying on their own without much class discussion or group interaction, they might find the honors classroom structure less appealing.

Since honors classes often require active participation, collaboration, and deeper engagement with material, those who prefer a passive learning experience might feel out of place.  

Honors student Jack Racki  recalled his experience in his honors Introduction to American Foreign Policy course. It was his first real honors version of a class, as it was the spring semester of his freshman year. He had taken a seminar in the fall, but nothing like the serious class he was about to embark on.

While everyone had the same lecture, the discussion was where it varied. In the honors section, their work involved researching struggling countries’ issues that lower them on the human development index and then finding ways to combat those. 

It was a very insightful project as it allowed Racki and his classmates to discuss real-world issues and to come up with real solutions. Also, the solutions they proposed were reported to local Iowa government officials and former national government officials at the end of the semester.

It was an exciting project and something that opened Racki’s eyes to the real world and how the honors version of the course helped him unlock that. He felt he gained full value out of the class as compared to students in other discussions who did different assignments. He recommends the course to any honors student as it helped shape who he is today.  

Charlie Moretta, an honors student pursuing a degree in business administration in finance, shared his experience as well, comparing a regular course and its honors equivalent: Introduction to Law.

Instead of walking down to a large lecture hall which can seat 387 students, Moretta sat comfortably in a quiet, smaller classroom in the business building that seats only 70. There, Moretta raised his hand in class and contributed to a productive discussion instead of sitting through lectures. 

For students who seek deeper discussions, meaningful connections, and an interactive learning experience, honors courses provide an invaluable opportunity to make the most of their education.

While these types of courses may not be for everyone, they offer a unique opportunity for students who thrive in smaller, discussion-based environments. For those who are eager to engage more deeply with their coursework, collaborate with passionate peers, and challenge themselves in new ways, honors courses provide an enriching and rewarding academic experience.