What are Honors courses?

Honors courses are sections of the core curriculum designed to provide a unique learning environment for highly-motivated and academically talented students known as Harcum Scholars. These innovative courses are designed to stimulate and challenge students while providing them with an opportunity to enrich and broaden their academic experiences. Students will take an active role in their learning by working closely with instructors and other students of similar abilities in order to pursue interesting and challenging topics, projects, and activities. Honors courses do not necessarily require students to do more work, but are deisgned to require a different type of work. Advanced critical thinking, writing, and research skills will be developed through independent study, enriched course work, and stimulating discussions in a friendly learning environment with small groups and highly motivated instructors. Participation in off-campus events that contribute to the intellectual life of the college community will be provided and encouraged. Participating students will be designated as "Harcum Scholars," and this will be noted in the students' transcripts.

Who is elibible to take Honors courses?

For the Fall 2006 Semester, any student scoring 100 or above in Reading and Sentence Skills and a 10 in Write Placer on the Accuplacer tests will be eligible to take Honors courses.

Why should I take an Honors course?

Honors courses will provide you with exceptional opportunities to develop your intellectual abilities in an innovative classroom environment. Some of the many benefits that you will enjoy as a Harcum Scholar include:

• Smaller classes
• Close instructor-student interaction
• Access to special programs and events
• Classmates with your interests and abilities
• Reduced class time
• Intellectually challenging activities and projects
• Creative and interactive classes
• Independent study

Are Honors courses harder than non-honors courses?

No. The professors have designed the Honors courses to be more engaging rather than more difficult. However, the students will explore topics in more depth in order to provide a more stimulating environment.

Do Honors courses require more work than non-honors courses?

No. The major difference between Honors courses and non-honors courses is not the amount of work, but the level of work required. Professors do not assign extra work because the class is an Honors course, and as with other classes, the grading criteria is based on mastery of material. Emphasis in Honors courses will be on critical and creative thinking, and students will be encouraged to pursue topics outside of classes.

What kind of recognition will I get for completing an Honors course?

Honors courses will be noted on your transcripts and recognized at graduation.

What courses are offered as Honors courses?

For the Fall 2006 Semester, the following Honors courses will be offered: English 101-Honors, Humanities 101-Honors, and Harcum Colloquium 101-Honors.

How do I apply for an Honors course?

For the Fall 2006 Semester, eligible students desiring to take Honors courses will simply ask their Program Director to register them for the course.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006  2:51:02 PM