Curriculum Overview

• HON 101 The Quest: Introduction to the Honors Program - This three-credit course will substitute for, and in many ways emulate, DSC 101 and EN 101. Students will be introduced to various forms of scholarship and the skills necessary for serious academic inquiry.  Heavy emphasis will be placed on writing and research.  Students will also be introduced to the discussion-based seminar and the tutorial method. DSINQ  
• Advanced Honors Seminars - At least nine credits (three courses) must be completed in Advanced Honors Seminars above HON 101.  These credits may be fulfilled in Honors-designated sections of Liberal Arts Core classes; in graduate seminars (with instructor’s permission); and in courses created by Marymount faculty especially for the Honors Program.  This approach provides breadth in the Honors curriculum while simultaneously allowing students to earn Honors credits in specific interest areas and majors. 
  • Liberal Arts Core Honors Seminars – Students may choose to take Honors sections of courses that satisfy the university’s Liberal Arts Core requirements.  Honors sections of these courses, developed and offered by individual professors and departments, will present a greater challenge to those enrolled and be discussion and writing based.  Past examples include TRS 100, PH 301, PSY 311, and HI 203.  On rare occasions, these Honors sections will be opened to students outside the program with approval from the Honors Director and the instructor. 
  • Graduate Courses - Honors students may petition to take a graduate course for Honors credit.  They will need approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the Director (see Appendix for Graduate Course Approval Form).  This is normally done the junior or senior year and is especially encouraged for students who intend to pursue graduate study in their field.   
• Traditional/Advanced Tutorials (HON 200/300) – The traditional undergraduate tutorial is an intensive learning experience.  Normally the tutorial consists of one faculty member meeting with 1-3 students, once a week for approximately eight weeks.  During this 1-2 hour meeting each student is expected to have completed readings from an agreed upon list and to have produced a short response paper which s/he will read and on which s/he will receive comments. Tutorials are offered at both the introductory (200) and advanced (300) levels, and are worth three credits each.

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• HON 399 Research Tutorial: Thesis Proposal – Each student, during their junior year, will identify a faculty mentor and work with him/her on a scholarly research project in a three credit research tutorial. At the end of the semester, the student will be required to submit at least a 15 page research proposal, which incorporates minimally 10 scholarly sources, approved by their faculty mentor to the Honors Director for review, along with an expected timeline for completion of the Thesis. Once the proposal is approved and, if necessary, revised, the student may then commence on their research for their Senior Honors Thesis. Any proposed thesis, which involves human subject research, requires IRB approval prior to commencing on the research. WI
• HON 400 Research Tutorial: Honors Thesis - Honors students, during their senior year, will work with a faculty mentor on their thesis in a three credit research tutorial. With permission from their department Chair and the Honors Director, honors students may conduct their approved thesis in their major’s "capstone" course, which will substitute for HON 400. It is strongly encouraged that students complete their thesis in a research tutorial as this ensures continuity in mentorship on the thesis. Successful completion and defense of the thesis is required to graduate with Honors.  Prerequisite: HON 399. (3). DSINQ 

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