The Honors Curriculum | University Honors Program | SIU

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.

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 fourth week of classes; during the Summer term, the deadline is the Friday of the first week of classes.

Note:  Beginning  Fall 2024, a student must earn a grade of B or above in the course for it to count towards their Honors credits.

(Download the Honors contract form)

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.  Registration for an independent study must be done by the Friday of the first week of classes. 

Student must earn a grade of B or above to count this towards their Honors credits.

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

• Application for thesis-UHON 499 form
• Thesis Handbook
• Faculty Verification of Completion of Thesis

Deadlines:

Proposals for theses to be completed in Summer:  April 30^th.

Proposals for theses to be completed in Fall:  August 30^th.

Proposals for theses to be completed in Spring 2023  November 30^th.