The course, called UNIV 300H General Education Honors, will provide a capstone experience for sophomores and juniors who have completed the University's general education requirements. Committee Chair Stan Masters said the committee saw the course as an opportunity to expose students to important research and collaboration skills. The approval came despite concerns from several faculty that the honors certificate that will be awarded to students who receive an A minus or better will be confused with the honors diplomas awarded to honors students in their disciplines upon graduation. This course is for lower division students.
Disciplinary honors come to upper division students.
Tricomi said the honors certificate was viewed as an important selling point to students, who may be looking for an opportunity to distinguish themselves as they begin to apply for graduate schools. The honors diplomas are awarded only upon graduation. Problem framing and problem solving, collaborative learning and research, and the use of computer technology and telecommunications resources will be emphasized. Students will be assisted by faculty members with expertise in each of the areas, a collaborative librarian and a technology consultant. Faculty Master Michael Conlon, associate professor of English, will serve as the faculty member of record for the course.