Honors Program

Dr. Rachel Wifall, Director

201-761-6226 (or 6326)

Lois Borroum, Administrative Assistant

201-761-6225

As a small liberal arts college with a highly favorable faculty-student ratio, Saint Peter’s College affords a superb opportunity for creative academic experimentation and advancement. The Honors Program in particular provides the framework for curricular innovation and meaningful scholarly inquiry.

Find us on Facebook!

Admission to the Program

Freshman enrollment in the Honors Program is by invitation, based upon SAT scores and high school grade point average. Students who have earned 15 or more credits at the College and have attained a cumulative index of at least 3.3 may apply for delayed admission to the Honors Program. Transfer students who possess the equivalent of a 3.3 GPA may also apply.  All interested students are encouraged to seek admission to the program.

Requirements

While Honors provides academic enrichment for highly motivated students, it is not a formal major or minor. In order to graduate with Honors ("in cursu honorum"), and to have this distinction designated on their transcript and diploma, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits (= 10 courses) designated as Honors courses. This includes:

8 Honors courses (core course seminars and/or advanced electives)  =  24 credits
1 Honors Research Method seminar = 3 credits
1 Honors Senior Thesis independent study = 3 credits

10 Honors Courses = 30 credits

Independent study projects must be approved by the Honors Program and the respective chairs of the student’s major department. Independent study projects may carry departmental as well as Honors credit.

Honors students must also fulfill the requirements of a major department. Some credit earned through the Washington Center, foreign study or other alternative methods may be applied to Honors upon approval of the director. Students are encouraged to engage in some approved service learning experience. If students wish to study abroad, it is imperative that they discuss their plans in advance with the director.

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.2 in Honors courses and an overall average of 3.4 to remain in good standing. Honors students dropping below the minimum will be granted a one-semester grace period to restore their good standing in Honors. Any student in the college with at least a 3.3 cumulative average--or with the consent of the instructor--may take an Hp elective course. All Honors students are urged to join the National Collegiate Honors Council and are encouraged to apply for Special Scholarships and Fellowships.

Curriculum

The Honors Program has three main components:

1. Honors Core Course Seminars. Like all students at the College, Honors students must filfill the College’s core curriculum requirements. Honors students can take many of their core courses in the Honors Program curriculum. These Honors core course seminars generally replace the introductory courses in such subjects as art, literature, expository writing, history, philosophy, theology, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. 
2. Special Honors Courses. The Program regularly offers a variety of special and advanced courses that may be taken in partial fulfillment of the Honors requirements. All such courses are advanced electives and include specialized and interdisciplinary courses. The Program offers courses in such areas as Japanese, film studies, technology & society, contemporary management, travel courses and more. 
3. Honors Thesis Project (6 credits) .The Honors Thesis Project is an intensive original research project under the direction of an academic mentor. This project is to be begun in the second semester of the student’s junior year when the student takes Hp 390, a research methods seminar (or an analagous course within the student's major department). The written thesis is completed early in the second semester of the senior year, with an oral defense of the thesis in the second semester of the student’s senior year. See also the descriptions of Hp390 (3 credits) and Hp492 (3 credits).

CORE HONORS COURSES

For a schedule of Fall 2010 Honors courses with times, etc., go to SPIRIT (the online catalogue of classes). Then (1) click on Class Search; (2) in the "Term" box, select "Fall 2010 Sem Undergrad"; (3) scroll down near the bottom of the path and check the box beside "Honors"; (4) click "Submit."

Hp100 Introduction to Asian Studies

An introduction to the geography, history, and cultures of Asia, as well as to Asian studies as an academic discipline.

Hp101 Elementary Latin I

An introduction to the basic grammatical structures of Latin presented through exercises and brief literary selections.

Hp102 Elementary Latin II
An introduction to the basic grammatical structures of Latin presented through exercises and brief literary selections. Prerequisite: Hp101/La113.

Hp103 Elementary Attic Greek I
Introduction to Attic grammar and syntax, including readings in simple Attic Greek, from Plato’s Apology and the Greek New Testament.

Hp104 Elementary Attic Greek II
Introduction to Attic grammar and syntax, including readings in simple Attic Greek, from Plato’s Apology and the Greek New Testament. Prerequisite: Hp103/Gk111.

Hp105 Honors Seminar in Finite Math I
This course covers the material of Ma105 but at a more advanced level. Introduction to ways in which everyday situations can be described and studied mathematically: linear equations and systems, linear inequalities, topics from linear programming or graph theory. Fulfills the math requirement for students majoring in any area of the Humanities, among other fields of study. Substitutes for Ma105.

Hp106 Honors Seminar in Finite Math II
This course covers the material of Ma106 but at a more advanced level. Finite probablitiy, trees, conditional probability, descriptive statistics. Prerequisite: Hp105. Substitutes for Ma106.

Hp110 Art in the City
New York City examined in its architectural presence, as repository and distributor of world art, and as stimulant to plastic creativity. Substitutes for Ar127.

Hp111 Seminar in History I
An examination of traditions from antiquity to the eighteenth century which created the Western world. Substitutes for Hs121.

Hp112 Seminar in History II
An examination of the reciprocal influences global cultures have had on each other, from the eighteenth century to the present. Prerequisite: Hp111 or Hs121. Substitutes for Hp122.

Hp113 Seminar in Political Science
Explanation of the basic theories, evolution, and methodology of political science. Substitutes for Po100.

Hp115 Seminar in Philosophy I
An introduction to Philosophy, with special emphasis on the classical philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Substitutes for Pl100.

Hp116 Seminar in Philosophy II
An introduction to the history of modern philosophy, with a special emphasis on the philosophy of Rene Descartes, and debate between Rationalism and Empiricism. Prerequisite: Hp116 or Pl100. Substitutes for Pl101.

Hp117 Seminar in Theology I
A critical inquiry into the possibility, the meaning, and the value of religious faith in the context of modern knowledge and experience, centered on the biblical and Christian vision of existence but including dialogue with other world views. Substitutes for Th110.

Hp118 Seminar in Theology II
A critical reflection on the meaning of the Christian faith as it is set forth in the New Testament, as it is found in the living tradition of the Church, as it is reflected on by modern thinkers, and as it bears on the issues of our time. Prerequisite: Hp117 or Th110. Substitutes for Th120.

Hp119 Seminar in Literature I
Study of significant Western poetry and drama, with emphasis on modern authors. Prerequisite: Cm115, Cm117, Cm119, Cm120, or Hp122. Substitutes for El123.

Hp120 Seminar in Literature II
Study of significant Western fiction, with emphasis on modern authors.  Prerequisite: Cm115, Cm117, Cm119, Cm120, or Hp122. Substitutes for El134.

Hp121 Seminar in Economics
An introduction to political economy, economic theory and its application to social issues and public policy. Substitutes for Ec100 or Ec101.

Hp122 Expository Writing
Instruction and practice in writing various types of expository prose, including research papers. Exercises in revising and editing for clarity, coherence, and concision. Substitutes for Cm120.

Hp123 Seminar in Natural Sciences
Explanation of the basic theories, evolution, and methodology of the natural sciences. Discussion and analysis of current areas of scientific research. Laboratory experience included. Substitutes for Ns110.

Hp124 Seminar in Biology
An Honors core science course for the non-science major. Laboratory experience included. May be used as the second or third course of the natural science requirement. Prerequisite: Hp123 or Ns110.

Hp125 Seminar in Chemistry
An Honors core science course for the non-science major. Laboratory experience included. May be used as the second or third course of the natural science requirement. Prerequisite: Hp123 or Ns110.

Hp127 Honors Principles of Management
Introductory study of the management process, in which students are required to use computer models and simulations to solve business management problems. Substitutes for Bm151.

Hp129 Honors Principles in Marketing
Introductory study of the marketing process, in which students are required to use computer models and simulations to solve marketing problems. Substitutes for Mm155.

Hp130 Elementary Japanese I
An introduction to the basic language skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing Japanese through a variety of media.

Hp131 Elementary Japanese II
An introduction to the basic language skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing Japanese through a variety of media. Prerequisite: Hp130/Jp130.

Hp134 Intermediate Japanese I
Further practice to master the basic concepts of rudimentary communication in Japanese. Prerequisite: HP131/Jp131.

Hp135 Intermediate Japanese II
Further practice to master the basic concepts of rudimentary communication in Japanese. Prerequisite: HP134/Jp134.

Hp137 Seminar in Calculus I
Covers the material of Ma123, but at a more advanced level. Fulfills the math requirement for students majoring in any area of the Humanities, Economics and Finance, Business, Accountancy, and Computer Science. Substitutes for Ma123.

Hp139 Seminar in Calculus II
Covers the material of Ma124, but at a more advanced level. Fulfills the math requirement for students majoring in any area of the Humanities, Economics and Finance, Business, Accountancy, and Computer Science. Prerequisite: Hp137 or Ma123. Substitutes for Ma124.

Hp145 Seminar in Asian Philosophy
Values course. An examination of the philosophies of India and China, including a text-based study of the Upanishads, the philosopohy of Yoga, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Prerequisite: Hp116 or Pl101.

Hp148 The Biology of Aging
A survey of theories of aging in humans, age-related changes in physiological and anatomical systems, and medical conditions associated with aging. Societal and ethical aspects of aging will be discussed. Prerequisite: Ns110, Hp123, or Bi-183.

Hp157 Intermediate Latin I
Presentation of advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures through exercises and the reading of Latin literary texts. Prerequisites: 3-4 years of high school Latin or Hp102/La114.

Hp158 Intermediate Latin II
Presentation of advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures through exercises and the reading of Latin literary texts. Prerequisite: Hp157/La157.

Hp163 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I
An introduction to the tones, pronunciation, characters and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Only for students with no previous Mandarin.

Hp164 Elementary Mandarin Chinese II
An introduction to the tones, pronunciation, characters and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Prerequisite: Hp163/Cn113.

Hp165 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I
Further practice in the tones, pronunciation, characters, and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Prerequisites: 1-2 years of high school Mandarin, or Hp164/CN 114, or instructor approval.

Hp166 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II
Further practice in the tones, pronunciation, characters, and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Prerequisite: Hp165/Cn133.

Hp181 Seminar in Macroeconomic Principles
This course considers the definition of economics and its methodology; scarcity and the resulting macroeconomic problems; measurement and determination of the level of macroeconomic activity (size and components of GNP, full employment, growth); stabilization problems (unemployment and inflation), and policies. Substitutes for Ec101.

Hp182 Seminar in Microeconomic Principles
This course considers scarcity and the resulting microeconomic problems; demand and supply analysis and applications; production and cost functions; market structures; industry and firm conduct and performance, and resource markets. Substitutes for Ec102. Prerequisite: Ec101 or Hp181.

Hp239 Propaganda: A Tale of Two Romes
Examination of the use of Christianity in Roman propaganda in art, literature, architecture, and geography. Includes study of basic Italian and required trip to Rome. Prerequisites: Hp117 or Th110 and Hp118 or Th120.

Hp244 Women in Film
This course aims to explore ways in which women have been represented in film and what those representations reveal about perceptions of women in (primarily) American culture and the American film industry. Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134.

Hp251 Romance Language Synthesis I
Comparative, simultaneous study of French, Italian and Spanish, providing intense practice in pronunciation, understanding, speaking, reading and writing each language (12-credit sequence).

Hp252 Romance Language Synthesis II
Comparative, simultaneous study of French, Italian and Spanish, providing intense practice in pronunciation, understanding, speaking, reading and writing each language. Prerequisite: Hp251/Ml251.

Hp259 Law, Politics, and Society in the Ancient World
A study of ideas of government, law, and the organization of society in Ancient Greece and Rome.

Hp293 Today’s Film Scene
Introduction to techniques of film analysis and to the workings of the contemporary film industry. Students will view current films, often prior to general release, read in film aesthetics, and write criticism and analysis. Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134.

Hp313 Evolution, Ecology and Adaptation
This interdisciplinary course focuses on evolutionary adaptations of the human species to nature and ways it has adapted nature to serve its needs. These adaptations and their consequences for changes in human ways of life are central to this course. Prerequisite: Bi184, Ns110 (Hp123), or So121.

Hp350 American Economic History
The formation and transformation of the American economy from colonial times to the present, with particular emphasis on the post-Civil War period. Prerequisite: Ec101 or Hp181.

Hp380 Art and Buddhism
Values course. A value-oriented, in-depth study of Buddhist theology and philosophy, as expressed in art. Buddhism’s changing visual expressions will be investigated. Emphasis will be placed on artistic expression of religious values.

Hp383 Bearing Witness to War and Genocide
Values course. This course considers both fictional and non-fictional accounts of violence, destruction, ethnic cleansing, genocide and war, to ask the question: what does it mean to bear witness? Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134; Hp111 or Hs121 and Hp112 or Hs122. 

Hp386 Art and Hinduism
Values course. This course considers the value system of Hinduism and how it is expressed in Hindu art; students are encouraged to develop an appreciation of Hindu art and to compare it with other art traditions. Mandatory museum and temple visits are included.

Hp390 Honors Thesis: Methods of Research
The Honors Thesis: Research course prepares the student for the completion of the Thesis project. This course is to be taken in the second semester of the student’s junior year. Students will learn principles of research methodology, thesis preparation and public speaking. Prerequisites: Approval of Honors Director and permission of mentor. An appropriate research course in the student’s major department may be substituted for Hp390, with the approval of the Director of the Honors Program.

Hp393 Civilization and Disease
An interdisciplinary, team-taught epidemiological and historical consideration of the demographic, cultural, social and economic impact of disease upon societies from antiquity to modern times. Prerequisites: Hp123 or Ns110; Hp111 or Hs121 and Hp112 or Hs122.

Hp399-INTL-01 Ancient Greece and Greece Today
Values course. The country of Greece and the city of Athens in particular contains some of the most famous ancient buildings in all of the world: evidence of over 2000 years of architecture and urban life, in this cradle of democracy and Western civilization. This spring break international travel course combines close study of these unique structures in their modern setting with reading of ancient texts written in and about ancient Greece and Athens, with the aim of resurrecting something of her ancient political, economic and cultural history. We will follow in the footsteps of Socrates and Aristotle and Alexander the Great and the emperor Hadrian, reconstructing the ancient Greek terrain and Athenian cityscape and learning from the example of her ancient inhabitants.

HP399-INTL-02 Akko: Archaeological Field Methods; Akko: Public Archaeology, Conservation, and Heritage
Values course. This six-credit course is distributed into two two-week modules which involve students in an archaeological and conservatory campaign in Akko, Israel. Participants will be involved in excavation and public archaeology that will integrate the multifaceted aspects of archaeology in the twenty-first century. The course will be part of the Akko Archaeology, Heritage and History Project, which proposes to explore the ancient and modern heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage city through a cutting-edge concept of “total archaeology.” Students may take one or two modules for three academic credits each, but are strongly encouraged to take both for six credit hours.

Hp400-INTL China Direct: Art, History, Religion
Values course. A course with the Department of Fine Arts, which involves travel to China during the spring break, for study of Chinese religious traditions, historical sites and the arts. Introductory material and extensive readings will also be discussed in the classroom.

Hp410 Fiction and Film
This course provides an introductory understanding of film, the novel, and the ways they interrelate. Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134.

Hp412 Ethnicity and Race in Urban History
Includes the African and European immigrant experiences in America, the effects of slavery and urbanization, and the formation of class consciousness. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur151.

Hp465 Executive Seminar in Business Administration
An examination of contemporary management issues conducted by senior decision makers from both the private and public sectors. Open by invitation only to Honors students and other qualified advanced undergraduates.

Hp473 Shakespeare: from the Page to the Stage
Since Shakespeare’s plays were intended to be performed live, not read in silence, we will both critically analyze a selection of his works and then bring the texts alive in performance, employing both original theatrical practices and modern acting techniques. No acting experience required. Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134.

Hp489 Technology and Society
Vaules course. An interdisciplinary values course that examines from the perspectives of natural science, philosophy and political science, how technology evolves in society, the impact of technology on our lives, and the critical decisions that technology requires each individual and society to make. Prerequisite: Hp 123 or Ns110.

Hp492 Honors Thesis: Independent Study
An intensive original research project performed under the direction of an academic mentor and culminating in a formal paper. The written thesis must be completed no later than the Fall semester of Senior year. The project is to be followed by an oral defense in the Spring semester. Prerequisites: Hp390 and approval of Honors Director.

Hp493 The Dark Side: American Film Noir
Values course. An introduction to this American Film genre with reference to its origins in European films and painting of the 1920’s and 1930’s, and in American hard-boiled detective fiction of the 1930’s, as well as to its significance to the development of Hollywood film and its implications about American culture of the 1940’s. Prerequisites: Hp119 or El123 and Hp120 or El134.

Hp498 Seminar: Macroeconomic Policy
A case-study approach to U. S. macroeconomic problems and policies and their international repercussions, considering the interplay of political institutions and market forces in the shaping of macroeconomic policy. Prerequisite: Hp181 or Ec101.

activities and other opportunities

The Honors Program will host an assortment of fun gatherings, speakers, and special events over the course of the academic year. Honors students are encouraged to become GEMS (Getting Engaged in Mentoring Students): student mentors who strive to enrich the classroom and help build a community of engaged learners.  GEMS serve as peer mentors, classroom helpers, study group facilitators, and liaisons to campus activities and events or in whatever manner deemed appropriate for fostering student engagement and building community.  GEMS are assigned to the freshman seminar and attend this course at least once per week, and fulfill duties that promote engagement and community.  GEMS are compensated through Work-Study funds.  Additional benefits that GEMS may derive include establishing closer relationships with faculty, strengthening academic knowledge, enhancing interpersonal, leadership and oral presentation skills, contributing in the College’s persistence effort and developing one’s resume. If you are interested in taking part in this program, please contact Dr. Wifall.

Honors students also have the opportunity to work as Research Assistants for faculty members, for a stipend.  In order to apply for an RA position for the Fall 2010 semester, students may fill out an RA application form and submit it to the Honors Program.  Interested faculty members should also submit a Faculty RA application form.  Assistantships extend for one semester and are granted based on available funding.