Honors Program
Department
Department Chair
Description of Program/Major
Mission
The Honors program serves a diverse community of students who have proven themselves especially talented, skilled and successful in their academic careers. Our mission is to attract such students to St. Mary's University and to provide them with a challenging and rewarding program—a program which
- complements their professional development with courses in the Catholic intellectual and liberal arts traditions,
- encourages them to engage critically in the self-conscious formation of their worldview, and
- prepares them to succeed after graduation to make a positive difference in the world.
Requirements
To be considered for the program as an incoming freshman, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.85 and a proven record of leadership. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral considerations in St. Mary’s University’s Honors Program.
Once students are in the program, they must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first year and 3.25 GPA after their freshman year. If a student falls below the required minimum GPA, the student will be placed on probation and will be given one semester to increase their GPA to the required minimum. Failure to do so will result in termination from the Honors Program.
Honors scholars complete 24 hours of course work, which includes a senior thesis or project. The courses are intended to be taken sequentially, with one course taken each semester for eight semesters. All but two of these courses satisfy a St. Mary's core curriculum requirement. The two exceptions are HO 4301, which is taken in conjunction with the Honor's senior thesis or project, and HO 4302, Prospects for Community and Civilization. Honors courses are intended to foster the learning community of Honors scholars. For this reason, students are expected to take their Honors courses in sequence with their class. Substitutions and exceptions may be considered only in special circumstances.
HO 1301. Honors Emergence Seminar. 3 Semester Hours.
This seminar-based course welcomes St. Mary's University Honors students to a Marianist liberal arts education through activities designed to inspire multidisciplinary intellectual development. Students learn to value diverse perspectives and foster student development as intellectually curious, self-motivated, and independent life-long learners. Through this seminar, students will emerge with academic skills and resources as well as a map of internal and external programs and activities that will enrich their scholarly engagement. Research and writing are required. This course fulfils the core requirement for FYE 1301. (Fall only, First Year).
HO 1302. The Quest for Human Meaning. 3 Semester Hours.
This course meets the requirement for a social science core class (or SMC 1313) and is taken in the spring semester of the first year. The goals and objectives overlap with those of a social science core class (or SMC 1313). The course serves as an introduction to the social sciences and the study of the social structures and institutions which shape the lives of individuals. The instructor will provide the course with a thematic focus appropriate to her or his discipline. Students should be introduced to the methods of social sciences while considering local, national and global issues. Common good and communitarian approaches should be considered. (Spring only).
HO 1303. Engineering and Society. 3 Semester Hours.
This course introduces students to the engineering profession and its role in addressing and solving contemporary global and societal challenges. Students will explore the application of engineering concepts, principles, and tools to creatively solve problems while considering public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. Students will be exposed to ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering decision-making, and learn to exercise critical thinking, presentation and writing skills. Research and writing are required. This course fulfills the requirement for a Social Science course.
HO 1304. Approaching Creativity. 3 Semester Hours.
In this course, students actively engage in the creative process by exploring how they may be more creative in their own lives, community, and career. Students read, explore, and complete visual and written assignments. This hands-on course requires peer discussion and reflection through which students discover how personal reflection, observation, cultural background, and knowledge influence visual awareness. Students will work on and/or develop a creative project that will provide experiences for community members. This course fulfils the core requirement for Fine Arts. (AAC&U Creative Thinking Value rubric).
HO 1305. Religion: Experience and Tradition. 3 Semester Hours.
Students will explore the process by which human experience and the human quest for God give rise to religious tradition. The course may adopt an interdisciplinary approach in which the emergence of religious tradition is studied not only from a theological perspective but also from the point of view of other disciplines, such as sociology and philosophy. Research and writing are required. This course fulfills the requirement for TH 1301.
HO 1341. Graphics and Design. 3 Semester Hours.
This introduction to the engineering design process and development of basic design projects includes a brief introduction to the history of drawing, drawing instruments, lettering, and the sketching process. Students develop perceptual and conceptual drawing skills through a variety of approaches, including sighting, contour line, and compositional studies. Students elaborate work drawings, including pictorials, orthographic projection, dimensioning, sections, and auxiliary views, using descriptive geometry, such as points, lines, planes, revolutions, intersections, etc., and the utilization of CAD software. This course fulfills the core requirement for Fine Arts.
HO 1399. Independent Study. 3 Semester Hours.
In special cases, with the Director's permission and with approval of the appropriate undergraduate dean, an Independent Study course may substitute for one of the regular courses in the Honors Curriculum; such courses are given an HO designation. A maximum of two such courses may be included in a student's Honors curriculum.
HO 2101. Honors Discovery Seminar. 1 Semester Hour.
In this required, one-hour seminar, students explore topics for research through a series of colloquia and workshops, beginning their journey toward a major research and writing project. By the conclusion of the seminar, students will develop and test a research question for their honors thesis/project. To form a mentoring relationship with advanced Honors students, this seminar collaborates with HO 3301. (Fall only, Sophomore Year) (AAC&U Inquiry and Analysis Value rubric).
HO 2102. Honors Discernment Seminar. 1 Semester Hour.
In this required, one-hour seminar, students, with the intention of making a positive difference in the world, map future professional and education goals through job shadowing, site visiting, writing curriculum vitae and resumes as well as personal statements, developing a professional online presence through dossiers or other networking platforms, networking, visiting graduate schools/medical schools/law schools, studying away/abroad, and beginning applications for national awards, competitions, and fellowships. (Spring only, Sophomore Year) (AAC&U Inquiry and Analysis Value rubric).
HO 2301. The Practice of Citizenship. 3 Semester Hours.
This course meets the requirement for a social science core class (or SMC 2302) and is taken in the fall semester of the second year. The goals and objectives overlap with those of a social science core class (or SMC 2302). Civic engagement is participation in society to effect social change in fostering the common good. As a result of this course, students will understand and appreciate the need for engagement in one’s community. Students will integrate the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for civic engagement and ethical citizenship at the local, national, and global levels. Further, students will research public problems, develop and participate in strategies to resolve them. (Fall only).
HO 2302. Emergence of the Universe. 3 Semester Hours.
This course meets the requirement for a science core class (or SMC 1312) and is taken in the spring semester of the second year. The goals and objectives overlap with those of a science core class (or SMC 1312). This course introduces students to the study of the natural sciences as (1) a method, (2) an ethical process and (3) an on-going quest for a comprehensive understanding of the physical, chemical and biological evolution of the universe. (Spring only).
HO 2303. The Aesthetic Experience. 3 Semester Hours.
This course focuses on fostering an understanding of the evolution of aesthetic expression in literature and the ability to interpret individual works of literature through their historical context. Research and writing are required. This course fulfills the core requirement for Literature.
HO 2304. Public Space: Monuments and Memory. 3 Semester Hours.
This course examines history made physical. People across the world and time have marked significant events with public displays. Monuments serve as both divisive focal points for political debates as well as vivid connections to history. Students explore why we commemorate certain events while ignoring others as well as the political debates surrounding monuments from other eras. Students take multiple tours. Research and writing are required. This course fulfills the core requirement for History. (AAC&U Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Value rubric).
HO 2305. Honors Special Topics. 3 Semester Hours.
Taught by faculty across the university, this course explores a variety of topics dependent upon the faculty member’s expertise with the intention of offering unique, innovative learning opportunities on campus and away.
HO 2399. Independent Study. 3 Semester Hours.
In special cases, with the Director's permission and with approval of the appropriate undergraduate dean, an Independent Study course may substitute for one of the regular courses in the Honors Curriculum; such courses are given an HO designation. A maximum of two such courses may be included in a student's Honors curriculum.
HO 3101. Honors Inquiry Seminar. 1 Semester Hour.
In this required, one-hour seminar, Honors students solidify their research question for their theses/projects, establish their faculty mentor relationship, learn about the IRB process, develop methodologies and a working bibliography. Students also mentor second-year students through exemplifying best practices and research exploration. To form a mentoring relationship with second-year Honors students, this seminar collaborates with HO 2301. (Fall only, Third Year) (AAC&U Inquiry and Analysis Value rubric).
HO 3302. Honors Research and Writing. 3 Semester Hours.
This course emphasizes the development and practice of academic writing and research skills. Assignments build on students’ thesis/project topics and include prewriting exercises, critiques, a critical annotated bibliography or a literature review, and a statement of proposed research. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research will be introduced. Research and writing are required. Discipline-specific research and writing classes that meet these outcomes may be substituted for this course. (Spring only, Third Year) (AAC&U Written Communication Value rubric).
HO 3399. Independent Study. 3 Semester Hours.
In special cases, with the Director's permission and with approval of the appropriate undergraduate dean, an Independent Study course may substitute for one of the regular courses in the Honors Curriculum; such courses are given an HO designation. A maximum of two such courses may be included in a student's Honors curriculum.
HO 4102. Honors Leadership Seminar. 1 Semester Hour.
This required, one-hour senior seminar brings the Honors curriculum to a conclusion with the consideration of current problems and the possibility of solutions that can sustain cohesive communities and human flourishing. Through colloquia, workshops, and written reflections, Honors students, as futurists, refocus as a learning community of change-makers who will influence the world through the ethical use of power. (Spring Only, Fourth Year) (AAC&U Teamwork Value rubric).
HO 4301. Senior Thesis or Project. 3 Semester Hours.
This course is taken in the fall semester of the fourth year. Honors students must take this course or an equivalent course in their major. The course guides students in planning, researching, outlining and writing their senior thesis or project. Students also arrange to work with a faculty mentor whose academic discipline is appropriate for their topic. Honors students in majors that require a senior thesis or senior project will not be required to complete HO 4301. However, all Honors students must complete a senior thesis or a senior project through their major or through HO 4301. (Fall only).
HO 4302. Prospects for Community and Civilization. 3 Semester Hours.
This course meets the requirement for SMC 4301 and is taken in the spring semester of the fourth year. The goals and objectives overlap with those of SMC 4301. The course is taught as a senior seminar intended to bring the Honors curriculum to a conclusion with the consideration of current problems and the possibility of solutions that can sustain cohesive communities and human flourishing. The intent is for Honors students to refocus their work as a learning community toward the future as they prepare for graduation. While interdisciplinary in scope, the specific content of the course will be appropriate to the instructor’s discipline. This course does not require an extraordinary research and writing assignment, but should have graded requirements comparable to other Honors courses. (Spring only).
HO 4399. Independent Study. 3 Semester Hours.
In special cases, with the Director's permission and with approval of the appropriate undergraduate dean, an Independent Study course may substitute for one of the regular courses in the Honors Curriculum; such courses are given an HO designation. A maximum of two such courses may be included in a student's Honors curriculum.