Teaching
Honors
Courses
Handouts:
•Advising/Curriculum
•Honors Designation Form
•Sample Syllabus
•Sample Assignments
Honors Programs Goals

For engaged, intellectually curious learners

Not more work, but deeper work

Encourage self-directed discovery

Connect the dots – interdisciplinary,
experiential, contemporary relevance

Community of learners
Student Learning Outcomes
1.
Critical Thinking
2.
Interdisciplinary
3.
Consultation/Consensusbuilding/Collaboration
4.
Experiential
5.
Primary Sources
For complete descriptions, see the Honors
Designation Form
Syllabus Policies

Honors Syllabus slightly different (about 5%) than
standard syllabus

Identifies at least 3 of the 5 Honors SLO’s

Some assignments are augmented to address
those SLO’s – these are mapped to the SLO’s
(see sample Syllabus)

Even if non-Honors assignments address the
Honors SLO’s, only augmented assignments can
be SLO-mapped.
Honors Designation Form

Honors designation form must be submitted
to the Honors offices at least 4 weeks before
class begins.

Used for Program Assessment to ensure all
5 SLO’s are addressed through the
curriculum

Used in future semesters for student
advising

Does not go through Faculty Senate
curriculum process – internal to Honors
Program
Best Practices for Honors
Instruction

For cross-listed courses – Lectures and readings
should remain the same

Augmented Honors assignments should allow for selfdirected research, inquiry, and problem-solving

Encourage Honors students to take advantage of Office
Hours

Group Honors students together for group projects

Meet with Honors students after or before class at
beginning of semester to review expectations and
augmented assignments.

Use best judgment on identifying Honors students
Artifacts for Assessment

Collect Honors assignments for each class
and submit copies to the Honors Program at
conclusion of semester

Used for Program Assessment, not student
or faculty assessment

Remove student and faculty names from
artifacts
Resources for Honors Faculty

Classroom activity funds: small-scale field
trips, food or supplies, speakers, etc.

Honors conference travel

Receive best-practice emails

Recognition through official letters
Honors Program Service
Activities

Honors Students must acquire
extracurricular “points.” Opportunity to link
in related lectures, events, etc.

“Conversations with the Professor” night at
the Honors House

Major Scholarship Initiative

Outreach to High Schools/DSF