University Honors deepens and widens the college experience. We build foundations in multi-faceted thinking through an array of seminar-style classes that fulfil the University Core Curriculum and introduce you to the ways in which various disciplines tackle big questions and problems. At the intermediate and advanced level, Honors students deepen their academic experience by independent studies/contracting courses and working on thesis with faculty.
Listed below are the types of courses that may be taken to earn credit in the University Honors Program:
UHON 351: Honors Seminars
UHON 351 seminars are the heart of the Honors Program. In small seminar-style classes you will explore fundamental questions with your peers and faculty who bring their most current research and creative work in the classroom. Courses change every semester with some of the courses clustered around a particular theme.
Honors courses substitute for University Core Curriculum requirements, and are numbered to correspond to the UCC categories, as follows:
351F: Fine Arts
351I: Interdisciplinary Studies
351L: Human Health
351M: Multicultural Diversity in the U.S.
351O: Social Science
351S: Physical and Life Sciences
351U: Humanities
In October (for Spring classes) and March (for Fall classes), the UHP has "Reservation Day." The actual dates and location of these events will be announced in the 4-1-1. Students may reserve a seat in a maximum of one course per semester. Honors students who fail to register on Early Registration Day will forfeit their seat reservation.
Courses fill up quickly on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who decide not to register for their reserved course should notify the Honors office.
A student must earn a grade of C or above in the course for it to count towards their Honors credits.
Departmental Honors Recognized courses
Designed for outstanding students in specific departments, these courses may be counted toward the Honors Program certificate or degree.
A student must earn a grade of C or above in the course for it to count towards their Honors credits.
Is there a class in which you would like to work more closely with the Professor? This is usually the case if you would like to go above and beyond the class in an area of your interest. The Honors Contract allows you to receive honors credit in a regular course. Our faculty are passionate about teaching and sharing their research with students. Yet, in working with you individually, they are also investing their time and intellectual labor in you. Talk with your Professor, see if you can both agree upon your intellectual pursuits in the class, and fill in the Honors contract form. This may well be the start of a lifelong relationship with a mentor. Some possible examples of Honors contracts include, but are not limited to:
A paper on a more challenging topic than those required of other students
More sophisticated experiments, readings or problems
Extra creative assignment, problem set or experiment in an area not heavily explored in class
Extended readings on an author or historical figure not thoroughly covered in the class
Viewing/experiencing cultural artifacts related to the subject matter and writing response papers
Leading a class discussion on a topic thoroughly studied and prepared by the student
Translating a short work
Meetings with the instructor to discuss additional readings
Previous topics have included:
Research on the origins of beer and its role in the agricultural revolution in a largely lecture and lab based class in the Fermentation Institute.
Presenting two videos to initiate a discussion on domestic abuse in a class on victim advocacy.
Short paper on popular misconceptions of crime based on interviews and select readings in a Psychology class.
The contract form is submitted to the Director of the UHP for approval. The deadline for Fall and Spring semesters is Friday of the fifth week of classes; during the Summer term, the deadline is the Friday of the first week of classes.
An independent study allows you to pursue a subject and approach that calls for a focused study with a faculty mentor, either individually or in a very small group of no more than three students and one or two faculty advisors. An independent study can take different forms (readings, field study, creative projects); the student/s develop it in consultation with the faculty advisor; and depending upon the work can be taken for 1-3 credits and may be extended to two semesters.
The student must discuss their proposal for the independent study prior to the semester in which they plan to take it. Please fill out UHON 399 form and submit to honors@siu.edu to be approved by the Honors Director in advance of registering for the course. UHON 399 will be due by the Friday of the first week of classes.
Student must earn a grade of C or above to count this towards their Honors credits.
Thesis
Students in the University Honors Program may choose to graduate with an Honors Thesis. Working on a thesis offers the opportunity to pursue independent research and/or creative project of one's choice under close guidance from a faculty advisor. Examples of previous theses
The student must discuss their thesis proposal with the faculty advisor prior to the semester in which they plan to take it. UHON 499 form - Application for Thesis must be submitted to honors@siu.edu or the front desk by the Friday of the first week of classes.
In instances where an Honors student pursues a senior thesis in their own departmental unit, they may petition for the Senior Thesis to count towards their Honors credits on this Honors Credit for Departmental Thesis Form.
Internships and Travel/Study Programs
Honors credit may be given for a faculty-directed paper based on some internships and travel/study programs, if approved by the Honors Director before the internship or travel.
Procedures and policies
Information on: reservation for Honors Seminars, suspension and probation, mentorship, voluntary withdrawal, and exit interviews. Read more
One of the advantages of being at a comprehensive research university is that our students work with faculty across disciplines, pursuing research that seeks to make a difference in the world.
If you could create a class what would it be? What is it that you would like to study? The University Honors Program invites all Honors students to propose course topics for a UHON seminar for Fall and Spring semesters each year.