Freshman and Sophomore Honors

Program Highlights

The program involves 27 credit hours of coursework taken over four years. During the first two years, the students take fifteen semester hours in the Arts & Sciences, satisfying a significant portion of University core requirements.

Students also periodically attend an Honors Program seminar, designed to reinforce program continuity and a strong sense of community among members. The Honors Program seminar also develops skills and habits of mind that promote a rich undergraduate academic experience.

Highlights of the first two years include:

Developing intellectual skills to enable students to be life-long learners;
Classes of 25 Honors students who complete courses together;
Scheduled and spontaneous activities to create an atmosphere of fellowship; and
A computer-networked lounge where students study and socialize.

Honors Program Student Handbook (PDF)

Freshman Courses

HONOR 100 - Honors Program Seminar (1 s.h.) Fall
Semester long course designed to cultivate skills and habits of mind that enable students to thrive in a university culture. The curriculum includes projects designed to promote critical reading, to instill the etiquette of intellectual discourse. Students also read and discuss a text related to the Honors Theme for their cohort group. The seminar continues to meet periodically throughout the first and second years of the program. Satisfies the University Core Requirement of “SXU Seminar.”

HONOR 150 - Honors English Seminar (3 s.h.) Fall
Reading, discussion, writing and training in the process of documented research. Instructor will assign selected readings related to the current Honors Seminar theme, which will provide the subject matter for student writing. Fulfills both the English 101 and 102 University core requirement.

HONOR 151 - Honors Philosophy (3 s.h.) Spring
An introduction to philosophical thinking, analysis and argument, incorporating examination of primary philosophical texts concerned with ethical and/or political issues. Course readings will be selected to address the Honors Program theme. Satisfies the University Core Requirement of Philosophy 150.

HONOR 152 - Honors Social Science Seminar (3 s.h.) Spring
Interdisciplinary study in Social Science areas related to the current Honors Seminars theme. Course will emphasize critical thinking and writing, and will nurture modes of inquiry and research strategies employed in the disciplines represented. Satisfies 6 hours of University core requirements in the Social Sciences.

Sophomore Courses

HONOR 250 - Honors Humanities Seminar (3 s.h.) Fall
Interdisciplinary study in Humanities areas related to the current Honors Seminars theme. Course will emphasize critical thinking and writing, and will nurture modes of inquiry and research strategies employed in the disciplines represented. Satisfies 6 hours of University Core requirements in the humanities areas integrated into the course.

HONOR 253 - Honors Science Seminar (3 s.h.) Spring
Interdisciplinary study in the sciences related to issues of current concern, or to milestones in the history of science. The course will cultivate the disciplinary and methodological approaches and concerns of the sciences and will include "hands-on" laboratory work. Satisfies 6 hour core science requirement.

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