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Honors Area of Study

The Honors Program does not offer a major, a minor, or a degree. Successful completion of the Honors requirements is noted on students' permanent transcripts. Honors graduates are given special recognition at commencement and wear the Honors hood with their academic robes.

Advising

During the freshman year, honors scholars are advised by the Honors Director. Once honors scholars have declared majors, they are advised by the faculty in their area of specialization. Honors scholars must maintain a 3.25 grade point average in their university work. Honors scholars must also complete the interdisciplinary honors courses and honors core requirements listed below. The Honors Council will consider requests for substitutions or exemptions on an individual basis.

Note: While challenging in scope, the Honors Program does not increase the number of credits required for graduation. Because of its focus on each student's personal interests, Honors studies may seem even more manageable to some than the regular curriculum. Students with career goals that require graduate study and students with mature life experiences are especially encouraged to apply.

Honors Core

Honors Scholars are required to complete the full-year College Writing sequence and the Liberal Education science requirement. Honors Scholars are otherwise exempt from completing specific requirements in the Liberal Education curriculum, but must fulfill the following Honors Core. The Honors Council requires that at least one course (minimum 2 semester credits) be taken in each of the areas listed below.

1. Language and Literature: Course work taken either in English or in some other language. Literature is a vehicle for display of culture and aesthetic expression, and can communicate an understanding of the human experience.
2. Scientific Investigation of Human Behavior: Additional understanding of the human experience comes from familiarity with specific inquiries into human behavior.
3. The Structure and Function of Institutions: Economic, political, and social institutions play a significant role in people's lives. The understanding of these institutions is an important aspect of being a responsible citizen.
4. Historical Studies: Course work taken in history, or through historically oriented courses in other disciplines such as art, music, or philosophy. History provides a perspective on the development of human society and culture and can separate us from the parochialism of the present.
5. Mathematics or Analytical Thought: The study of mathematics and philosophy fosters an understanding of the nature and use of formal, rational thought.
6. World Culture: Studying a language or studying another culture through the perspectives of other disciplines such as anthropology, history, or philosophy help to free us from the confines of our own culture.

The Honors Council will maintain a list of approved courses for each area. Any student may request the addition of any course to the list, and the Council will consider its addition. Experimental courses and interdisciplinary courses may be proposed as well as standard departmental courses. Honors scholars should discuss their course selection with their honors advisors, who will assure that diversity and rigor are maintained in the student's schedule.

Required Honors Courses

HOPR 1104 The Unity and Diversity of Knowledge (2 credits)
HOPR 1105 Influence, Power and Values (2 credits)
HOPR 2106 Studies in Literature and the Arts (2 credits)
HOPR 2107 Studies in Social Sciences and History (2 credits)
HOPR 3899 Pre-Thesis Seminar (1 credit)
HOPR 4889 Integrative Seminar (2 credits)
HOPR 4899 Honors Thesis (2 credits)

Subtotal 13 credits

Minimum Total Semester Credits Required for Honors Program 38 credits

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SUGGESTED SEMESTER SCHEDULE FOR HONORS PROGRAM

The following is a list of required honors program courses arranged by year. This schedule is intended to help students plan their schedules in an orderly fashion; however, these are only suggestions and this schedule is flexible.

Freshman

ENGL 1101 College Writing I
ENGL 1102 College Writing II
HOPR 1104 The Unity and Diversity of Knowledge
HOPR 1105 Influence, Power, and Values
Progress toward completion of Honors Core

Sophomore

HOPR 2106 Studies in Literature and the Arts
HOPR 2107 Studies in Social Sciences and History
Progress toward completion of Honors Core

Junior

HOPR 3899 Pre-Thesis Seminar
HOPR 4899 Honors Thesis
Course work in the major

Senior

HOPR 4889 Integrative Seminar
Course work in the major