The Honors College Program and Curriculum

The Honors College at Chicago State is designed for students who embrace the chance to work hard, read more, take risks, and challenge conventional wisdom. The Honors College program provides students with the tools they need to pursue an ambitious course of study while working with other Honors College students who challenge and support each other to develop a deep understanding of the world and their place in it.

The Honors College Program is composed of two parts:

1. an enriched, interdisciplinary general education curriculum taken primarily during students’ first and second years at the university (known as the Honors College Core Curriculum)
2. a series of research and fieldwork focused seminars and colloquia

All of the Honors courses have been designed especially for the Honors College by the faculty who teach them.

The Honors Core Curriculum courses are designed to challenge students by providing exposure to some of Chicago State’s best and most exciting faculty, while introducing important topics, issues, and methods of inquiry across disciplines. Through them, students develop and sharpen their reading, writing, mathematical, scientific, analytical, and communication skills. The Honors seminars and colloquia are designed to develop students’ research and presentation skills, linking their Honors College program with their specific majors.

 

Honors College Core Curriculum

The Honors College Core Curriculum is the foundation of the Honors College program. The Honors College Core Curriculum satisfies a portion of the university general education requirements through specially designed interdisciplinary courses. The Honors College Core Curriculum is organized around two-course sequences in four major areas of inquiry: English composition, mathematics and natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, and social sciences.

Honors Course	General Education Requirements Fulfilled	Honors Course	General Education Requirements Fulfilled
HON 1200, Honors English Composition I	English Composition I	HON 1210, Honors English Composition II	English Composition II
HON 1320, Mathematical Modeling	Mathematics, Critical Thinking	HON 2220, Science and the Natural World	Natural Science (Physical Science), non-lab
HON 1420, Human Search for Meaning	Humanities, Critical Thinking	HON 2320, Arts & Cultures	Fine Arts, Diversity
HON 1520, Social and Historical Inquiry	Social Science, Diversity	HON 2420, Peoples & Values in Conflict	Social Science, Critical Thinking

Students should note that these Honors courses only fulfill a portion of their total university general education requirements. Students complete the remainder of their university general education requirements through standard general education coursework. Some colleges or degree programs may have general education requirements in addition to those fulfilled by the Honors College Core Curriculum and the university general education curriculum. More information can be found under the appropriate college sections in the undergraduate catalog.

 

Honors College Seminars and Colloquia

In addition to the Honors College Core Curriculum, students in the Honors College are required to complete a series of seminars and colloquia. These seminars and colloquia provide Honors College students with practical skills and experiences needed for them to engage in high quality academic research and creative activities, as well as connect students with hands-on experiential learning in academic, career, and community service areas.

Honors Course	Focus of Course
HON 1000, Honors Seminar: Information Literacy	Introduction to academic research, critical thinking about knowledge and information
HON 2000, Honors Colloquium	Introduction to research, creative, and experience-based projects
HON 3000, Honors Seminar: Field Learning	Analysis of experiential learning, coordinated with internships, practica, service learning, or research/creative activities in students’ majors
HON 4000, Advanced Honors Colloquium	Discussion and presentation of students’ final clinical/practicum projects in their major programs

Honors College Program of Study and Completion of Honors College Program

The entire Honors College Program includes the Honors College Core Curriculum, the Honors College Seminars and Colloquia, and a campus / community service requirement. Students who complete the entire Honors College program and maintain good standing in the Honors College are eligible to be awarded University Honors on their transcript and diploma upon completion of their undergraduate degree program. There are two different pathways for students to complete their Honors College program, depending on whether students enter the Honors College as first-time students or as transfer students.

Download the Curriculum Plan form for First-Time Students (freshmen)

Download the Curriculum Plan form for Transfer Students

Honors College students meet regularly with the Honors College Dean to discuss their progress in the Honors College program and ensure that they are taking the required courses to complete their curriculum plan.