Special Honors Projects

In addition to doing an Honors Independent Study, students also have the option to do a Special Honors Project or “Honors Contract” in an existing class. The purpose of this option is to encourage the student to expand the breadth and/or depth of his or her knowledge of the subject matter of a specific course.

The Special Honors Project is like a smaller version of the independent study, but the student does not receive additional college credit for the project because it is completed as part of the class in which the student is already registered and for which s/he is receiving credit.

Upon successful completion of the course and the project, however, a notation will appear on the student’s transcript indicating completion of a Special Honors Project in conjunction with that course. And this project will then count as one of the four Honors Studies options the student needs to complete to receive the “Distinguished Honors Studies Scholar” designation on his or her final transcript.

As with an Honors Independent Study (HRS 203 / HRS 204), a Special Honors Project can be initiated by a student or a professor. The professor can define the nature of the project and its parameters for the student or they can work together to develop a project based on the student’s particular interest in the subject matter of the course.

• Procedures for Setting up a Special Honors Project

• Sample Honors Independent Study Project Proposals

 

Procedures for Setting up a Special Honors Project

The following are the basic procedures to be followed for setting up and completing a Special Honors Project:

 

For the Student

1. Choose a present course of yours in which you are interested and willing to do work in addition to the normal course requirements.
   
   

2. Ask the professor of the course if s/he will allow you to complete a Special Honors Project, and if s/he will assist you in developing a project idea.
   
   
3. In consultation with your professor, draft a brief description of your project which includes the following: a summary of the project objectives and goals, the sorts of activities involved, and the nature of the final product. Plan to spend on average 1-2 hours/week on your project over the course of the semester, and use this figure to help you develop a realistic project idea. (In most instances, you won’t spend the entire semester working on this project, and will thus likely spend more than 1-2 hours/week during those weeks that you are working on it.) I have sample project descriptions available to assist you and which may serve as models for your own.
   
   
4. When you have completed your project description, ask your mentor to indicate his or her approval by signing the description, and then submit both the signed copy and an electronic copy to me.
   
   
5. Meet with your professor periodically to keep him or her informed of your progress and to address any questions or problems you may have. Please keep in mind, though, that your professor’s time commitment will in most instances be quite limited.
   
   
6. You will be invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the end-of-semester Honors Studies Roundtable where you will have the opportunity to discuss your project with other students and faculty participating in the Honors Studies program.
   
   
7. Upon successful completion of both your project and the course, I will submit a request for a notation to appear on your transcript indicating that you have completed a Special Honors Project for this course. Your completion of or failure to complete the project should have no bearing on the grade you receive for the course.
   
   
8. Upon completion of your project, please email me a one-paragraph abstract or summary of the project.

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Special Honors Project Proposals

• Business (BUS 208: Contemporary Marketing)
• Education (EDU 215: Field Work in Education)
• History (HIS : U.S. History)
• Literature (ENG 209: World Lit I)
• Mathematics (MAT 265: Linear Algebra)
• Physics (PHY 111: Mechanics)
• Psychology (PSY 210: Human Sexuality)
• History: The Oylmpic Games of 1936

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