Goals
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. Faculty create one-of-a-kind colloquia to challenge and engage
students in discussion-based classes that promote the free exchange of ideas, academic
scholarship and research, and experiential learning opportunities. Later in their
Honors careers, students direct their own capstone project, aided by the guidance
of a faculty mentor and capstone committee. This experience culminates in a traditional
defense at the end of the semester.
Colloquia at BHSU
Each semester, the BHSU Honors Program offers its students the unique opportunity
to take a custom-made colloquium. This "fringe" seminar is taught by an esteemed professor
at the university and introduces students to concepts and ideas not normally covered
in an undergraduate class. Faculty create one-of-a-kind curriculum to challenge and
engage students in a course that provokes thought through free exchange of new ideas,
academic scholarship and research, and experiential learning opportunities. The colloquia
are selected by student vote every two years.
Colloquia Course Examples
Disability in American Culture
The Enduring Appeal of Modern/Post-Modern Pop-Culture Hero Sherlock Holmes
Opting Out: Hermits, Pirates, Homesteaders and Hackers
Madness in Popular Culture: The "Insanity" of Women
Ethics and Leadership in Popular Science Fiction
Molecules That Changed History
Honors Capstone
As an opportunity to direct their own research, creative scholarship, or experiential
learning experience, each University Honors student directs and defends a capstone
project. Each project is either a thesis or a major project that is undertaken by
the student and guided by a capstone committee consisting of a faculty mentor and
two readers. Below are a few of the exciting projects put forth by students.