Overview - 49th State Fellows Program

49th_State_Fellows_Program
Overview - 49th State Fellows Program
Fellows study the roots of liberty in Western civilization, the founding and development of American political institutions, and the challenges of self-government in Alaska. Through selected courses in economics, history, and political science, they focus on the big questions of human society: What is justice? What is the good life? What is the best form of government?

Fellows are members of the University Honors Program, with all the educational and social opportunities that membership brings. They take the University Honors Core Seminar curriculum along with the Forty-Ninth State Fellows Program core. Many of these courses also meet University general education and College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts requirements. Students who successfully complete the four-year program earn the designation “Forty-Ninth State University Honors Scholar.”

[New admissions to this program have been suspended for the academic year 2012-2013]

Program Requirements

Forty-Ninth State Fellows ordinarily take all of the Forty-Ninth State requirements together as a cohort. Since Honors tutorials are associated with designated course sections, and other courses have sections designated for Fellows, Fellows must secure advice and permission from their advisors before registering for classes.

In addition to General University Requirements, General Education Requirements, School/College requirements and major requirements listed in the UAA catalog, Forty-Ninth State Fellows must complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher and

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in “good standing” with the program

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to graduate as a “Forty-Ninth State University Honors Scholar”

First Year:

  • HNRS A192: Enduring Books (3 credits)* - special section for 49th State Fellows
  • HIST A101: Western Civilization I * (3 credits)
  • HIST A102: Western Civilization II * (3 credits)
  • HNRS A191:  Freshman Honors Tutorial (fall) (1 credit)
  • HNRS A191: Freshman Honors Tutorial (spring) (1 credit)

Second Year:

  • HNRS A292:  Honors Seminar in Social Science (3 credits) * - special section for 49th State Fellows
  • ECON A201:  Principles of Macroeconomics * (3 credits)
  • HIST A131:  History of United States I * (3 credits)
  • HIST A132:  History of United States II * (3 credits)
  • HNRS A291: Sophomore Honors Tutorial (fall) (1 credit)
  • HNRS A291: Sophomore Honors Tutorial (spring) (1 credit)
  • PS A330: The American Political Tradition (3 credits)

Third Year:

  • HNRS 310:  Community Service (3 credits)
  • HNRS 392:  Honors Thesis Seminar (1 credit)
  • HIST A341:  History of Alaska * (3 credits)
  • HNRS A391: Junior Honors Tutorial (1 credit)
  • PS A332: History of Political Philosophy I: Classical * (3 credits)
  • PS A333:  History of Political Philosophy II:  Modern * (3 credits)

Fourth Year:

  • HNRS A499: Honors Thesis (6 credits)
  • PS A345: Alaska Government and Politics (3 credits)

* indicates a course that can satisfy GERs and/or CAS BA requirements.

In some cases, classes that meet General Education Requirements may be designated for Forty-Ninth State Fellows or for all University Honors students; these sections are highly recommended for Forty-Ninth State Fellows.  In case of time conflicts between courses required for Forty-Ninth State Fellows and for other degree requirements, the program may allow Fellows to substitute sections or to take courses outside the usual sequence.


Kyra Sherwood "I think the experiences I have in the Forty-Ninth State Fellows will be helpful to me no matter what career I decide to pursue." 

- Kyra Sherwood, University Honors Program Student and Forty-Ninth State Fellow