Esther G. Maynor Honors College

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participation requirements

Students who enter the Maynor Honors College as freshmen begin with an intensive learning community experience, taking four general education core courses together, to support relationship building and program identification. The UHC curriculum includes a total of four interdisciplinary seminars, generally taken one each semester. A two semester sequence of guided research, with a faculty member in the major field, provides an opportunity to undertake an independent creative project or research endeavor that is presented to the members of the academic community. Research throughout the collegiate experience is supported through funding and opportunities for participation in conferences and research endeavors.

All entering freshmen are required to live in the Honors College living/learning community. Starting in Fall 2007, this will be a floor of Oak Hall reserved primarily for honors students. If special circumstances warrant living elsewhere, students should consult the Dean of the Maynor Honors College.

The University Honors College meets on a monthly basis to support a sense of community. Members of the University Honors College participate in cultural activities on campus and develop a university service project annually. Generally during the freshman year UHC students are part of LSOP (Leadership and Service Opportunities Program), designed to enhance leadership development and to support community involvement. University Honors College students receive recognition in a number of formal and informal ways including priority registration, honors advising, special encouragement for study abroad programs and graduate study and selected research opportunities. In a relatively small institution, University Honors College students are well known and well regarded.

Continuation in the University Honors College requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the freshman year, 3.25 at the end of the sophomore year and 3.5 at the end of the junior year, as well as successful completion of required coursework, the research sequence and other program expectations. Any exceptions or substitutions of requirements will be determined by the Dean of the Maynor Honors Colege in consultation with the Honors College Council.

Curriculum Guidelines

Two tracks are available for graduation from the Maynor Honors College

University Honors

*Take four HON (interdisciplinary courses)

*Take at least four general education honors courses

*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA overall

*Complete HON 4000 and HON 4500

*Successfully complete and present a Senior Project under the guidance of a mentor

Description of Senior Project:

The Senior Project can be one of four possibilities.

1) Community Service Project. This project involves a student’s active participation in a focused project involving service to the community. The student must complete either the Horizon Leadership Program or the Distinguished Leader program, both administered through the Leadership and Service Opportunities Office. The Service Project will be supervised by a UNCP faculty member. During the senior year, the student will schedule an oral presentation, the purpose of which will be to describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of the Community Service Project. The faculty mentor and the Dean of the Honors College will approve the successful completion of the project.

2) Campus Dialogue Project. This project asks the student to become an active participant in campus-wide dialogue about a specific issue, usually relative to the student’s major. The student will work with a faculty mentor to research the topic. During the senior year, the student must organize and facilitate (in consultation with the mentor and Honors College Dean) at least two campus dialogues on the topic. These dialogues should involve faculty and students from a variety of disciplines. The faculty mentor and the Dean of the Honors College will approve the successful completion of the project.

3) Creative Project. Students choosing this option will work with a faculty mentor to develop the project. During the senior year, the student will display or perform his or her art and then provide an oral description/interpretation of the work. The faculty mentor and the Dean of the Honors College will approve the successful completion of the project.

4) Senior Thesis Project. The Senior Thesis is a written research project completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Guidelines are available in the Honors College Office. The thesis is completed during the senior year, and the student must also schedule an oral presentation/defense of the thesis. The faculty mentor and the Dean of the Honors College will approve the successful completion of the thesis.

Departmental Honors

*Take four HON (interdisciplinary courses)

*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA overall

*Complete two Honors Contract Courses in upper level major courses

*Complete HON 4000 and 4500

*Successfully complete and present a Senior Thesis

Description of Contract Courses:

Contract courses require work that is above and beyond the normal expectations of the course. Contract courses must be taught by tenured or tenure-track members of the major department. The student and faculty will agree upon the requirements for completing the contract course, fill out the appropriate paperwork (available online), and obtain the signature of the department chair. The contract and accompanying syllabus will be turned in to the Dean of the Honors College for final approval.

Description of Senior Thesis:

The Senior Thesis is a written research project completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Guidelines are available in the Honors College Office. The thesis is completed during the senior year, and the student must also schedule an oral presentation/defense of the thesis. The faculty mentor and the Dean of the Honors College will approve the successful completion of the thesis.

Both University and Departmental Honors

*Take four HON (interdisciplinary courses)

*Take at least four general education honors courses

*Complete two Honors Contract Courses in upper level major courses

*Achieve at least a 3.5 QPA overall

*Complete HON 4000 and HON 4500

*Successfully complete and present a Senior Project (service, dialogue, or creative)

*Successfully complete and present a Senior Thesis

It is possible, though not necessary, that the Senior Project and Senior Thesis are developed from the same research. Students must consult with the Honors College Dean to coordinate the successful completion of both University and Departmental Honors. Those selecting option four for University Honors must also complete option one, two, or three to receive both University Honors and Departmental Honors.

Updated: Thursday, June 4, 2009

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