Honors Courses: What’s the difference?

How do Honors courses differ from regular general education courses?

Pedagogy

• Courses emphasize discussion and active learning over lectures and information-delivery. They are run as seminars, when/where appropriate.
• Courses are more intensive learning experiences and study subject matter in greater depth than a regular General Education section
• Students assume leadership roles in the classroom.
• Where appropriate, interdisciplinary connections are emphasized.

Course requirements

• Textbooks are supplemented and/or replaced with other course materials, including primary sources and interpretive secondary sources.
• Campus and community resources are utilized to broaden the classroom experience and bring in interdisciplinary perspectives.

Course materials

• Assignments are rigorous and foster stronger critical reading and thinking skills,
• Assignments require students to synthesize sources and ideas both in writing and in oral presentation.
• Many Honors courses include a capstone-eligible research paper or project. These are student-conceived and require the integration of multiple sources and/or perspectives.

Assessment

• Student work is evaluated with higher standards of performance expectation and the weight of course assignments reflects rigorous Honors course requirements.
• Assessment focuses on synthesis of ideas, critical thinking, and innovation over test-taking or mastery of facts.