The Principles of Honors Courses
- In-class Discussion
An honors course is based on active participation and debate rather than lecturing and note-taking.
- Interdisciplinary Perspective
Honors courses exposes students to discipline-based knowledge on the cutting edge. An interdisciplinary perspective is encouraged throughout the course.
- International Characteristics
Honors courses relate studies to international issues, global perspectives and experiences and introduce students to scientific and cultural theories, schools and ideas.
- Research Skills Development
Honors course stimulate students to develop research skills and projects through the use of primary, secondary and tertiary sources.
- Innovative and Experimental Teaching Techniques, Interactive Methods and Variety of Learning Styles
Honors courses use a variety of experimental and innovative teaching techniques and interactive methods to encourage student interaction.
- Emphasis on Critical Thinking and Intellectual Approach
Honors courses encourage expansion of critical thinking skills by offering and stressing analysis, theory development, reasoning, and synthesis of knowledge in a discipline-specific perspective.
- Diversity Issues with a Comparative Perspective Element
Honors courses emphasize the diversity aspects of the course discipline and societal values whether the focus of the course is world culture, literature, science or history.
- Instructional Technology Usage
Honors courses require students use instructional technology such as PowerPoint presentations, chat rooms discussion, and internet tools.
- Evaluation Standards
Honors courses use an evaluation of standards method to measure students' progress, creativity and critical thinking skills.