The colloquium provides an opportunity for students, with faculty, to explore these issues from an interdisciplinary liberal arts perspective, to gain a fuller understanding of them, and to work toward an informed personal position. At each session, members of the Emmanuel faculty present a topic for discussion. Prior to each meeting, students prepare for the discussion in a variety of ways, including completing assigned readings, doing Internet research, viewing films or videotape, and visiting museums or galleries. Faculty with particular interests and expertise in the area lead the discussions, bringing to the participants a unique opportunity to explore a variety of important issues with faculty, and to share the excitement and commitment which the faculty bring to their work. Because the essence of a colloquium is informed discussion, the colloquium requires reading, research, participation and collaboration on the part of all the participants - students and faculty.
Technology plays an important role in the colloquium as well.
Each member of the colloquium is provided with a laptop computer for her personal use for the duration of the colloquium, and training in the use of the computers. The computers are used to access materials for research through the Internet, and for on-line class discussions before and after colloquium meetings. Students who complete the Honors Colloquium receive two academic credits per semester. No grades are given for the Colloquium so that students are free to participate wholeheartedly and be creative with this experience without worrying about the effect on their grade point averages. Students and faculty have been enthusiastic about the first-year honors colloquium and competition for places in the colloquium is always high.