Course Syllabus

HONR 2900 Honors Capstone

Course Description

This is the capstone course of the Honors Program at Snow College. Emphasizing interdisciplinary and integrated learning, undergraduate research, and other high-impact learning practices, this course provides Honors students with a community of learners as they complete their Honors graduation requirements. Students will complete an ePortfolio documenting their Honors Program experience and an Honors capstone project under the guidance of a faculty mentor in a chosen discipline. It is required of all students completing the Honors Program their final semester before graduation. Students must be admitted Honors students to enroll in the course. Pre-requisite of ENGL 2010. Fee required.

Justification

This course is the required capstone course for the Snow College Honors Program. Capstone classes are hallmarks of Honors Programs across the state and country and provide Honors students with a community of learners as they complete the program requirements. This course will also prepare students for graduate-level mentorship work, should they pursue graduate study. Generally, only four-year programs have capstone courses, so this course provides students at Snow College a unique opportunity to participate in the capstone experience at the sophomore level.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will analyze interdisciplinary connections within their Honors Program experience.
2. Students will complete Honors Program requirements for graduation.
3. Students will develop scholarly habits of mind through undergraduate research.
4. Students will gain experience in self-directed learning through mentor relationships.
5. Students will become more proficient in academic writing.

Course Content

This course will provide structure, community, and moral support for students completing Honors Program requirements. It will include completion of the Honors Program requirements, including the ePortfolio and Honors Program Reflection. It will provide basic structure and support for completing the Honors Capstone Project. The course should include coordination and advisement for faculty mentors and students in those relationships. It should also include instruction on presenting the capstone project and include a public display/presentation of projects. The course will aid students in drawing interdisciplinary connections by inviting guest lecturers from a variety of disciplines (inside and outside of the college) to teach classes (through seminars or interactive lectures) and instruct students on the relationships and connections between disciplines. These lectures may be geared towards solving a "big problem" or they may also be targeted towards disciplines and projects students are working on.

This course will invite students to examine their education from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. It is also welcoming of multiple approaches to learning through ePortfolio creation and the capstone project.