Teaching in Honors Philosophy, Procedures, & Program Support

Teaching OptionsProposal ProcessProgram Support Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Philosophy of Honors Proposal Process

Honors classes… Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support  are smaller.  are lecture-discussion oriented.  provide opportunities for students to meet with the teacher outside the classroom.

The Problem Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Honors coursework…  is significantly more writing- intensive.  often includes some aspect of the Great Works program.  is not graded on a curve.

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support  A testing ground for new or reworked courses that enhance both general and major education Advantages of Teaching in Honors  Greater curricular latitude with committed students  Funding for course development and enhancement

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support  Honors Program (HONRS) Courses What are the options for teaching in Honors?  Summer Scholars  Departmental Honors (H) Sections

The Problem Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Advanced Writing Civilization American Government & Society Physical Science Biology Social Science Humanities Literature Global and Cultural Awareness Mathematics Fine Arts General Disciplinary Courses (HONRS): Course titles that fulfill core GE requirements Examples: HONRS 201, HONRS 240, HONRS 259

The Problem The Solution Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Cross-listed Departmental Courses (HONRS): An existing departmental course that meets Honors Program criteria Great Works Courses (HONRS 290R): A one- to three-credit hour course on selected works from the Honors Great Works list Examples: HONRS 260, HONRS 303R, HONRS 345R Categories: literature, music, theatre, film, art, and science

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support The Honors Experience (HONRS 100): A one- to two-credit, first-block or full-semester introduction to academic practices such as critical thinking and reading, integration of the secular and spiritual, and some writing skills  Faculty members choose their own subjects.  Incoming students have a chance to get to know a faculty member personally.  The Honors Program covers expenses for a meal with class members in the faculty member’s home. Examples: Effective Decision Making, Where Art and Science Meet

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Late Summer Honors Courses (HONRS 100): Twelve one-credit seminars offered during a one-week intensive Honors experience for freshmen just prior to fall semester  Faculty members choose their own subject, often related to the Great Works requirement.  A supplemental stipend is offered to instructors.  In 2008, Late Summer Honors will be August Examples: International Systems—A Brief History; Putting it Together: The Broadway Musicals of Stephen Sondheim; Voodoo Science and the Underpinnings of Modern Scientific Thought.

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Departmental Honors (H) Sections: Honors sections of departmental courses Talk with your department chair if you are interested in offering an Honors course for your department.  Honors Principles of Statistics (Stat 221H)  Honors Cultural History of Germany (Germ 330H)  Honors Book of Mormon (Rel A 121H) Examples:

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Summer Scholars Academy: Courses taught during the summer to high school juniors and seniors with Honors potential  Classes are held in the mornings and larger group activities happen in the afternoon and evenings.  In 2008, the Summer Scholars Academy will be July  A stipend is offered to instructors. Examples: writing, biology, journalism, and engineering

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support What is the process for proposing to teach in Honors?  Complete the form Proposal for Teaching Honors  If proposing a new course, attach A copy of your abbreviated curriculum vitae (1-2 pages) A course syllabus Material documenting your teaching ability (video tapes, letters of reference from colleagues, and most recent student ratings)  Obtain your department chair’s signature on the proposal form and submit it to the Honors Program by Nov. 15 th for the following academic year (spring, summer, fall, winter)

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Course proposals are required each year for both new courses and for courses previously taught in the Honors Program.

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support How are Honors course proposals evaluated? The Honors Faculty Council (HFC) evaluates each proposal according to the following criteria: class size teaching methods writing assignments qualifications of the instructor likely student enrollment alignment of course content with GE foundation documents

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support How are Honors courses scheduled? 1. As chair of the Honors Faculty Council, the Honors Program Director reviews the approved courses and determines the most balanced offering for that particular semester. 2. Each professor who submits a course proposal by November 15th will be notified in writing of the HFC’s decision by January 15th. 3. The Honors Program schedules the class according to information provided on the course proposal form.

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support How does the course proposal process differ for Departmental Honors (H) sections? 2. After notification of HFC approval, your department must schedule the class. The Honors Program has no authority to schedule departmental Honors sections. 1. If the title code is still active, submit a course proposal to the Honors Program as outlined above and your request will be evaluated by the Honors Faculty Council in the same manner.

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support How does the course proposal process differ for Departmental Honors (H) sections? (continued)  If an Honors section of a departmental course has never been offered, or if the title code is no longer active, your department must prepare the paperwork requesting approval for the course by the university curriculum committee. 4. As part of this process, which often takes a year to complete, you may also submit a course proposal to the Honors program as outlined above and receive a letter of support from the Honors Program Director.

founder of Grameen Bank, winner of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Funds are available for class-sponsored culture events and for a teaching assistant if the class has 30 students. Submit the Application for Funds for Honors Course Enhancement to the Honors Program (350 MSRB).

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support  An off-site Honors Faculty Workshop is held each year.  Honors Course Kick-offs are held each fall and winter semesters. Honors Faculty members are invited to mingle with students and answer questions about their courses.  Online Honors Course Guides are posted each semester before registration begins to provide students with current class descriptions.  Honors Program staff are available to help with textbook orders, class scheduling changes, class publicity, etc.

Philosophy of Honors Teaching Options Proposal Process Program Support Questions?