Bioethics

In 2005, ten Honors students convened in a Think Tank to consider the ethical implications of new genetic technologies. With the guidance of Dr. Ray Gesteland, Dr. Peggy Battin, and Utah’s leading geneticists, they explored dilemmas in genetic research and discussed how available science and technology might be ethically applied to benefit everyone.

Quality of Life

This Think Tank Team spent a great deal of time outside of the classroom, visiting Wasatch Commons co-housing and the new Daybreak project, and documenting interviews with refugees through the International Rescue Committee.

The Uneasy Intersection of Law and Medicine

Alzheimer’s and Aging

Participating students will develop a basic scientific understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and will explore the medical, ethical, philosophical, and public policy issues that accompany it.

Creativity on Center Stage

In this Praxis Lab, students explored the value of creativity across disciplines and its central role in education, communities, and personal growth.

Kaiser Permanente Praxis Lab on Redefining Health an Wellness

This Praxis Lab challenged the traditional, restrictive perceptions of health and wellness by exploring how to make healthy choices enjoyable and accessible.

Gender, Health, & Human Rights: More Than a Woman’s Issue

This Praxis Lab explored the complex and evolving relationships between gender, health, and human rights. Students examined critical questions about how health is defined, how human rights influence well-being, and how gender and heterosexism shape our understanding of these issues.

Opening the Mind’s Eye: Contemplative Practice and Higher Education

This Praxis Lab explored the transformative potential of contemplative practices—such as meditation and traditional yoga—in university education and beyond. Students engaged with a diverse range of contemplative traditions, both secular and spiritual, while examining the latest neuroscientific research on their effects on memory, attention, and empathy.

Beginning of Life

This Praxis Lab examined the profound scientific, ethical, and cultural questions surrounding the earliest stages of human life. Students explored topics such as the biological and psychological factors influencing conception, the ethical implications of genetic sequencing, the impact of epigenetics on parental behavior, and the societal considerations of neonatal care.

Drugs and Us

This Praxis Lab explored the complex role of drugs in society, from pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter remedies to recreational, religious, and performance-enhancing substances.

Addiction Uncovered: Breaking Stigma, Building Support

This Praxis Lab provided students with a comprehensive understanding of addiction, including the myths and stereotypes that often surround it. With 1 in 13 people in the U.S. expected to struggle with addiction, the course explored critical questions about addiction’s nature, treatment, and societal impact.

Aging Well in Utah

As the world’s population ages, societies must adapt to ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability for all generations. This Praxis Lab examined the impact of an aging population, with a focus on Utah—one of the youngest states in the nation but rapidly growing in its 65+ demographic.