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Honors ProgramDr. 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. Admission to the ProgramFreshman 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. RequirementsWhile 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:
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. CurriculumThe Honors Program has three main components:
CORE HONORS COURSESFor 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." Hp105-106 Honors Seminar in Finite Math I and II
Fulfills the math requirement for students majoring in any area of the Humanities, among other fields of study. Substitutes for Ma105 and Ma106.
Hp108 Seminar in Psychology
Honors section of Ps151, Introduction to Psychology. Hp108 may be used to fulfill the third course of the natural science core curriculum requirement. 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.
Hp111-112 Seminar in History
An examination of traditions from antiquity to the eighteenth century which created the Western world (Hp111); an examination of the reciprocal influences global cultures have had on each other, from the eighteenth century to the present (Hp122). Substitutes for Hs121-122.
Hp113 Seminar in Political Science
Explanation of the basic theories, evolution, and methodology of political science. Substitutes for Po100.
Hp 115-116 Seminar in Philosophy
Thoughtful inquiry into problems of reality and knowledge directed at fostering insights and questions about critical issues in these areas. Substitutes for Pl100-101.
Hp117-118 Seminar in Theology
Problem-oriented approach to theological issues, both past and present, focused on the various religious experiences of man. Substitutes for Th110-120.
Hp119-120 Seminar in Literature
Study of significant Western literature, with emphasis on modern authors. Hp119 focuses on poetry and drama, while Hp120 considers literary fiction. Substitutes for El123-134.
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.
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.
Hp127 Seminar in 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 Ba151.
Hp129 Seminar 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 Ba155.
Hp137-139 Honors Seminar in Calculus I and II
Fulfills the math requirement for students majoring in any area of the Humanities, Economics and Finance, Business, Accountancy, and Computer Science. Substitutes for Ma123 and Ma124.
Hp140 Seminar in Computer Science
Honors section of Cs150, Introduction to Computers and Information Processing. Hp140 may be used to fulfill the third course of the natural science core curriculum requirement. 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.
HONORS THESIS PROJECT (6)The two-part sequence of courses is as follows: special coursesHp100 Introduction to Asian Studies Hp101-102 Elementary Latin I and II
An introduction to the basic grammatical structures of Latin presented through exercises and brief literary selections.
Hp103-104 Elementary Attic Greek I and II
Introduction to Attic grammar and syntax, including readings in simple Attic Greek, from Plato’s Apology and the Greek New Testament.
Hp130-131 Elementary Japanese I and II
An introduction to the basic language skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing Japanese through a variety of media.
Hp134-135 Intermediate Japanese I and II
Further practice to master the basic concepts of rudimentary communication in Japanese.
Hp145 Seminar in Asian Philosophy
This course is designed to provide students with basic understanding of the diverse philosophical traditions of India and China, through careful reading and critical analysis of the defining or foundational philosophical texts within each tradition: from the Upanishads and The Bhagavad-gita, to the Analects of Confucius and the Tao-Te-Ching of Lao-Tzu.
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 or Hp123.
Hp157-158 Intermediate Latin I and II
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 La114/Hp102.
Hp163-164 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I and II
An introduction to the tones, pronunciation, characters and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Only for students with no previous Mandarin.
Hp165-166 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I and II
Further practice in the tones, pronunciation, characters, and basic grammatical principles of Mandarin Chinese. Prerequisites: 1-2 years of high school Mandarin, or CN 114/Hp164, or instructor approval.
Hp182 Seminar in Microeconomic Principles 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.
Hp251-252 Romance Language Synthesis I and II
Comparative, simultaneous study of French, Italian and Spanish, providing intense practice in pronunciation, understanding, speaking, reading and writing each language (12-credit sequence).
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. 34 (or Hp119 and 120).
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
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 (Values course).
Hp383 Bearing Witness to War and Genocide
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? (Values course). Prerequisites: El 123 and 134 (or Hp119 and 120); Hs121 and 122 (or Hp111-112).
Hp386 Art and Hinduism
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.
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: Ns110 or Hp123; Hs121-122 (or Hp111-112).
Hp399-INTL Ancient Greece and Greece Today
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 breakinternational 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 (Values course).
Hp400-INTL China Direct: Art, History, Religion
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 (Values course).
Hp401 Fiction and Film
The course provides an introductory understanding of film, the novel, and the ways they interrelate. Prerequisites: El123 and 134 (or Hp119 and 120).
HP450-INTL The Faith and Thought of Judaism: Archaeology in Akko; History and Heritage
This six-credit course is distributed in two two-week modules that 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 (Values Course).
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: El123 and 134 (or Hp119 and 120).
Hp489 Technology and Society
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 (Values course). Prerequisite: Ns110 or Hp123.
Hp493 The Dark Side: American Film Noir
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: El123 and 134 (or Hp119 and 120).
Hp498 Seminar: Macroeconomic Policy activities and other opportunitiesThe 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 Spring 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. |
