The Curriculum

The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with a well-rounded education and, at the same time, to give them a chance to follow their own academic, professional or creative interests. To graduate as an Honors Scholar, a student will take seven courses with the honors program and complete a senior project. Below is a list of the requirements:

• Writing: English 101-H and 201-H (freshman year).These are designated honors sections of courses required for all freshmen. The honors section of ENGL 101 is taught in the fall and 201 in the spring. Many honors students place out of the 101 course; however, students who do not regard writing as a particular strength should not be daunted. Instructors do not assume the class is full of expert writers, just that the students are willing to read interesting materials, discuss them, and carry out assignments in a timely way. 
  
  
• General Education: One general education course taken in an honors section (first semester of freshman year, if possible). Honors courses in a variety of academic fields are scheduled for the fall semester each year. A few additional ones are offered in spring. These courses are designed to provide each new honors student with mentoring in a field of individual interest. For those with scheduling conflicts and for those entering the program after their first semester, arrangements can be made to satisfy this requirement by special contract with an instructor in a regular section of a class. 
  
  
• Language: At least two courses in any language(s) other than English (recommended for sophomore year).
  
  
• Honors Colloquia: HON 301, 302, 303, and 304 (sophomore and/or junior years). These are courses selected by the honors students themselves on topics of general interest. They are mid-level courses that assume no prior background in the area. A colloquium generally requires research, an oral presentation and at least one major paper. Topics are announced at least a year in advance.
  
  
• Senior Project: a thesis or other major project to be proposed and approved in the spring of the junior year and completed during the senior year. Senior projects require work sufficient to earn 6 hours of credit.

The program accepts all credits received by AP or duel-enrollment.