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HonorsStudentHandbook

TableofContents

Contact Information ........................................................................................................................... 3

I. Academic Program and Requirements ............................................................................................. 4

Honors Coursework ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Course Descriptions of Honors Seminars ....................................................................................................... 7

Honors Contract Courses .............................................................................................................................. 8

Departmental Honors ................................................................................................................................... 9

Other Ways to Earn Honors Credit ................................................................................................................ 9

II. Advising & Registration ................................................................................................................ 10

Your Progression Through Honors .............................................................................................................. 11

III. Financial Support ......................................................................................................................... 12

Merit Scholarships ...................................................................................................................................... 12

National Scholarships and Fellowships ........................................................................................................ 12

Wilmington Fellows .................................................................................................................................... 12

Work Study/Work Assist ............................................................................................................................. 13

IV. Residence Life: Honors House and Other Honors Housing ............................................................ 13

First Year .................................................................................................................................................... 13

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Upperclassman Living ................................................................................................................................. 13

V. Co-Curricular Activities ................................................................................................................. 14

Cultural and Co-Curricular Activities ........................................................................................................... 14

Service Activities ........................................................................................................................................ 15

VI. Student Research, Travel, and Conferences ................................................................................. 15

Conferences ................................................................................................................................................ 15

Research ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Funding Research/Conference Travel .......................................................................................................... 16

Study Abroad .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Honors Trips ............................................................................................................................................... 17

VII. Honors Global Citizen Recognition .............................................................................................. 18

VIII. Social Activities ......................................................................................................................... 18

IX. Honors Student Organizations ..................................................................................................... 19

Honors Scholars Association ....................................................................................................................... 19

Honors Student Media Board ...................................................................................................................... 19

X. Additional Info ............................................................................................................................. 20

XI. Frequently Asked Questions about Honors .................................................................................. 20

XII. Checklist to Graduate with University Honors ............................................................................. 22

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UNCWHonorsCollegeStudentHandbookTHE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON | HONORS SCHOLARS COLLEGE | UPDATED JULY 2019

ContactInformation

HONORS OFFICE: 2ND FLOOR, RANDALL LIBRARY 2007 910-962-3408

CSURF OFFICE: 2ND FLOOR, RANDALL LIBRARY 2080 910-962-2703

DR. SHAWN BINGHAM, Associate Professor of Sociology 910-962-7868 | binghams@uncw.edu Director of the Honors College Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies

DR. EVA MEHL, Associate Professor of History 910-962-0546 | mehle@uncw.edu Associate Director of the Honors College

DR. NATHANIEL GROVE, Associate Professor of Chemistry 910-962-3216 | groven@uncw.edu Assistant Director of CSURF

MS. PEGGY STYES, Program Manager 910-962-4181 | styesp@uncw.edu

MS. MORGAN ALEXANDER, Office Manager 910-962-2523 | rillingm@uncw.edu

MS. NIKKI KROUSHL, Student Services Specialist 910-962-2929 | kroushln@uncw.edu

Honors Academic Advisors:

MR. DAVID BOLLINGER, Senior Lecturer of Communication Studies 910-962-7591 | bollingerd@uncw.edu

DR. NATHAN CROWE, Assistant Professor of History 910-962-3309 | crowen@uncw.edu

DR. JOSEPH COVI, Associate Professor of Biology 910-962-2514 | covij@uncw.edu

DR. ARTHUR FRAMPTON, Associate Professor of Biology 910-962-2643 | framptona@uncw.edu

MS. ANNE PEMBERTON, Associate Director, Research & Instructional Services and Library Assessment 910-962-7810 | pembertona@uncw.edu

DR. KATE BRUCE, Professor of Psychology 910-962-3374 | bruce@uncw.edu

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I.AcademicProgramandRequirements

To graduate with University Honors, students must complete the course and seminar requirements (typically in their first two years) and go on to complete Departmental Honors in their majors. They must also graduate with at least a 3.5 GPA.

To graduate with University Honors, a student must earn at least 29 Honors credits*:

University Honors Requirements

Honors UniversityStudies

Honors Seminars

DepartmentalHonors

3 Extra HON HoursPICK ONE:

6 total credit hours

Take over 2 or 3semesters

HON 110

HON 210, 211, or 212

HON 120/121

HON 120/121

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR; 3 CH

3 CREDIT HOURS

1 CREDIT HOUR

TOTAL: 8 CREDIT HOURSTOTAL: 12 CREDIT HOURS

TOTAL: 3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL: 6 CREDIT HOURS

Honors UniversityStudies classes arelike generaleducation classes,but taught asHonors version. Ex.:HON Chemistry 101.Each one is worth 3credit hours.

To complete your 3credit hours ofHonors electives, youcould take anotherHON UniversityStudies class. Youcould take three HON120 seminars. Youcould contract a class(get prof. permissionto do additionalHonors work). Or getthe requirementwaived when youstudy abroad for asemester or take agraduate-level class.

DepartmentalHonors, also knownas your Honors thesisproject, counts for 6credit hours. It willshow up on yourschedule/transcript as499 of whatever yourmajor is (ex. INT 499,BIO 499, SPN 499).

1 CREDIT HOUR

Three 1hr HON classes

Contract class

One 3hr HON class

Graduate class

Study abroad

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*Students who do not enter Honors as fall-semester first-years (that is, UNCW students who join the Honors College later, as well as transfer students) do not have to complete HON 110. 3 credits of honors University Studies requirements are waived for these students, as well.

University Honors Requirements

Honors UniversityStudies

Honors Seminars

DepartmentalHonors

3 Extra HON HoursPICK ONE:

6 total credit hours

Take over 2 or 3semesters

HON 110

HON 210, 211, or 212

HON 120/121

HON 120/121

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR; 3 CH

3 CREDIT HOURS

1 CREDIT HOUR

TOTAL: 8 CREDIT HOURSTOTAL: 12 CREDIT HOURS

TOTAL: 3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL: 6 CREDIT HOURS

Honors UniversityStudies classes are likegeneral educationclasses, but taught asHonors version. Ex.:HON Chemistry 101.Each one is worth 3credit hours.

As a transfer student,you are exempt fromone of these courserequirements.

For students withsignificant transfercredit, we will allow anhonors contract class(see below) to substitutefor one or two classesin this category.

To complete your 3credit hours of Honorselectives, you could takeanother HON UniversityStudies class. You couldtake three HON 120seminars. You couldcontract a class (getprofessor permission todo additional Honorswork). Or get therequirement waivedwhen you study abroadfor a semester or take agraduate-level class.

Departmental Honors,also known as yourHonors thesis project,counts for 6 credithours. It will show up onyour schedule/transcriptas 499 of whatever yourmajor is (ex. INT 499,BIO 499, SPN 499).

1 CREDIT HOUR

Three 1hr HON classes

Contract class

One 3hr HON class

Graduate class

Study abroad

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HonorsCoursework

HONORSUNIVERSITYSTUDIES: The Honors Scholars College offers various sections of honors university studies sections to assist students in working toward their university studies requirements. Students entering the program as fall semester freshmen must take a total of 12 hours (about 4 courses) of honors university studies sections. The specific honors sections of university studies courses change every semester to meet a wide array of requirements in different subjects. Please refer to the online schedule on the honors website for the specific courses offered each semester.

HONORSINTERDISCIPLINARY&ENRICHMENTSEMINARS: A major focus of the honors curriculum is the seminar. Seminars cut across traditional boundaries of academic disciplines, offering students the opportunity to explore issues in depth. In general, honors seminars focus on a specific topic of inquiry. They typically involve students in both in-class and out-of-class activities that enrich their learning experiences. Students typically take an honors seminar in each of their first four semesters—for example, HON 110 in first semester freshman year; HON 210/211/212 in first semester sophomore year, and HON 120/121 in spring semester of both freshman and sophomore years. However, HON 120/121 and HON 210/211/212 sections are offered both fall and spring semesters to accommodate student class scheduling. These seminars are regular credit courses and count toward graduation, as well as toward the grade point average.

HonorsUniversityStudies

HonorsInterdisciplinary&EnrichmentSeminars

® Have departmental course headings—ex., CHM

101, BIO 201, ENG 103, HST 105 ® Always have a course section in the 300s

o COM 101-002 is a standard Public Speaking class

o COM 101-300 is the Honors version of Public Speaking

® Count toward your University Studies requirements—you would have to take them anyway, but you can take them through Honors

® Almost always 3 credit hours (or 4 with a lab) ® Examples…

o HonorsIntrotoComputerScience(CSC101-300)

o HonorsIntrotoPsychology(PSY105-300)o HonorsGreatBooksofWorldReligions

(PAR125-300)® Courses offered as Honors sections vary each

semester

® Have Honors course headings—ex., HON 120, HON 110, HON 210

® Cut across traditional boundaries of academic discipline and allow students to explore issues in-depth

® Can be 1 or 3 credit hours ® Do not count toward your University Studies

requirements ® Count toward credit hours for graduation (general

electives) ® Examples…

o HON120-302:MedicalHumanitieso HON210-303:BrazilianMusicinBeatand

CulturalMovementso HON212-300:WritinginActionacross

Cultures® HON 211, HON 212, and HON 121 contain a

beyond-the-classroom component (ex. A study abroad trip or service-learning project in the community)

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CourseDescriptionsofHonorsSeminars

HON 110 Honors First Year Interdisciplinary Seminar (3 credit hours)—The Honors version of UNI 101: First Year Seminar, which Introduces the honors student to the college experience by direct involvement in research, service and leadership activities.

® Required for all Honors students entering as first-years. ® Satisfies University Studies I: Foundations/First Year Seminar. ® Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Information Literacy.

HON 120 Honors Enrichment Seminar (1 credit hour)—Students study a specialty topic and participate in a variety of related enrichment activities on the campus and in the community.

® May be repeated under different subtitles. ® 2 units of HON 120/121 are required for all Honors students. ® Examples: HappinessAdvantage,Avante-GardinPerformance,MedicalHumanities

HON 121 Honors Enrichment Seminar: Explorations Beyond the Classroom (1 credit hour)—Students study a specialty topic and participate in a variety of related enrichment activities outside the classroom.

® May include travel or field site experience as a component. ® 2 units of HON 120/121 are required for all Honors students. ® May be repeated under different subtitles. ® Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom. ® Examples: TheStoryofWilmingtonthroughArchivesandMuseums,IntroductiontoCoastalEcology,

CulturesoftheMediterranean HON 191 Introduction to Research and Discovery (1 credit hour)—Designed for first- and second-year students who want to jump-start their engagement in research and scholarly work in their likely major area. HON 191 is open to all UNCW students and is typically offered in the spring semester. The focus of the class is to refine library and other research-related skills, develop a resume, seek out faculty who may become mentors, and interview juniors and seniors engaged in undergraduate research already.

® Effective Spring 2020 and onward, HON 191 may be substituted for one of the HON 120/121 requirements for students.

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HON 210 Honors Topical Interdisciplinary Seminar (3 credit hours)—An in-depth investigation of a special topic using the approaches of several disciplines; may be team-taught. Topics and approaches vary.

® Examples: BiotechnologyandSociety,HIV/AIDSinCulture,ConsumerCultureandShoppingSociety® May be repeated under different subtitles.

HON 211 Topical Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar: Living in Our Diverse Nation (3 credit hours)—An in-depth investigation of a special topic related to the theme “Living in Our Diverse Nation” using the approaches of several disciplines; may be team-taught. Topics and approaches vary.

® May be repeated under different subtitles. ® Satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Living in Our Diverse Nation.

HON 212 Topical Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar: Living in a Global Society (3 credit hours)—An in-depth investigation of a special topic related to the theme “Living in a Global Society” using the approaches of several disciplines; may be team-taught. Topics and approaches vary.

® Examples: WritinginActionAcrossCultures ® May be repeated under different subtitles. ® Satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Living in a Global Society.

HonorsContractCourses

For an honors contract course, the student and faculty member sign a contract proposing additional scholarship, research, lab work, projects, presentations, or other work to convert it to an Honors experience.

An honors contract course can serve as the 3 extra credit hours of honors coursework, or it can substitute for one of the University Studies classes. Students make take a maximum of 2 contract courses, total during their time at UNCW. The Director may, at their discretion, provide case-by-case written approval for a student to take additional contract courses.

® Approval of department chair and honors director required ® Must be a 300- or 400-level course in the student’s major or minor ® Student must complete additional work worthy of an honors experience ® Signed form must be completed before the end of drop/add in the semester the student will take the course ® Successful completion of the contract and a grade of B (3.0) or higher results in honors credit for a course

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DepartmentalHonors

Departmental Honors at UNCW provides the opportunity for juniors and seniors to engage in an individual scholarly project in the major. The honors project or honors thesis involves independent study under the supervision of a faculty member in the student’s major field for six (6) total credit hours.

Learn more in the Departmental Honors Handbook. https://uncw.edu/honors/academics/ departmental-honors/departmental.html

® Can be completed by anyone, not just Honors College students, as long as they have a 3.2 GPA ® A 3.5 GPA is required for Honors College students ® Two 3-credit hour semesters or three 2-credit hour semesters in the major (ex. CHM 499) ® Final paper (thesis) and oral exam/presentation ® Students typically complete the project during their senior year, but anyone may begin the project at the

completion of 74 credit hours ® Directed Individual Study (491 or 291) is helpful to prepare students for departmental honors ® For projects outside a student’s academic discipline, the Honors Interdisciplinary Project (HON 499) is an option ® Satisfies University Studies Explorations Beyond the Classroom and Writing Intensive requirements

OtherWaystoEarnHonorsCredit

There are additional ways to earn honors credit toward the total hours required for honors.

® Additional HON seminars ® Additional honors sections of University

Studies classes ® HON 191 ® Study abroad semester or year ® National Student Exchange ® Honors sections of upper-level (non-

University Studies) courses ® Honors contract classes in the major or

minor ® 400/500 cross-listed courses if graduate

level requirements are completed ® Graduate-level coursework ® An additional honors project in second

major

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II.Advising&Registration

Academic advising for honors students is the responsibility of the following individuals:

Dr. Shawn Bingham, Director of Honors

Dr. Eva Mehl,

Associate Director of Honors

Mr. David Bollinger

Dr. Nathan Crowe

Dr. Arthur Frampton

Dr. Joseph Covi

Ms. Anne

Pemberton

Dr. Kate Bruce

Dr. Nathaniel Grove, Assoc. Director,

CSURF

Dr. Nick Crawford

All honors advisors are trained as University College advisors and are familiar with the requirements for honors as well as those of university studies and the various majors. You can check who your advisor is at any time by visiting SeaNet > Student Services & Financial Aid > Registration > Advisor Information.

You will typically meet with your advisor once per semester to discuss your academic progress and next semester’s course schedule, but you’re free to make additional appointments. After you declare a major, you will receive an advisor in your department. However, if you have any questions about Honors advising or coursework, you can always ask Dr. Bingham or Dr. Mehl.

Priority registration is a significant perk of being in the Honors College. As an honors student, you will register for classes before most other students on campus. Your honors advisor (and later your academic advisor in your department) will help you plan your academic career, select courses, and work through the registration process.

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YourProgressionThroughHonors

Below is a sample.

YourFourYearsinHonors

ClassestoTake

Co-CurricularActivities

Questionstoaskandthingstoconsider

1

HON 110 2-3 Honors University Studies classes 1-2 HON 120/121 classes HON 191

3 cultural activities 2 service activities Getting involved in student organizations Exploring majors and fields of study Meeting frequently with academic advisor Consider applying to FYRE

2

1-2 more Honors University Studies classes (4 total) 1-2 HON 120/121 classes HON 210/212

Study abroad? Consider leadership positions in student organizations Apply to national fellowships/scholarships Attend a thesis defense or Scholars Café session

3

3 extra hours in Honors Any HON seminars not yet complete

Study abroad? Consider leadership positions in student organizations Apply to national fellowships/scholarships Consider starting 499 early (spring of junior year) Attend a thesis defense or Scholars Café session Consider internships and research experience Consider conducting a Directed Individual Study

4

499 (Departmental Honors)

Attend a thesis defense or 499 Workshop session Consider internships and research experience

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III.FinancialSupport

MeritScholarships

Each year, the Honors College offers opportunities for outstanding honors students to earn merit-based scholarships on a competitive basis. About 50% of incoming honors first-year student receive merit scholarships in some amount. At most, these may be equivalent to in-state tuition and fees, and are awarded one year at a time.

Students not offered an honors merit scholarship their first year are encouraged to continue working hard because scholarships become available every year and can be awarded at any time. Students may also be eligible for a scholarship increase. Students must be in good standing (academic, cultural, service requirements) in Honors to be considered for honors merit scholarships.

NationalScholarshipsandFellowships

The Honors College also distributes information and administers applications for several national scholarships and fellowships which provide financial support and research and travel opportunities for students. These scholarships and fellowships are very competitive, and offer large awards to students in specific fields, usually for their junior/senior years and for graduate study. Students interested in competing for these awards need to begin early and set their goals high.

In the past several years, here are some of the national fellowships that UNCW honors students have received:

® National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Hollings Scholarship

® Fulbright scholarships ® The National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for

Undergraduates (REU) fellowships ® Phi Kappa Phi undergraduate study abroad grants

The Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF) supports students as they apply for these opportunities.

Visit CSURF’s Fellowships Listing page or contact Dr. Grove (groven@uncw.edu) for specific information about various opportunities.

WilmingtonFellows

The Wilmington Fellows are Honors College students who make a commitment to engage in activities during the academic year and summers to make themselves competitive for national fellowships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and graduate study. They make this commitment during their freshman year and participate in special mentoring activities to help them reach this goal. Wilmington Fellows also receive a small annual scholarship as long as they remain in good standing. They are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.75 and significant campus involvement and leadership.

As of 2019, the Wilmington Fellows is converting from an invitation-based program to an application completed in the first semester of a student’s freshman year. Please reach out to Dr. Bingham if you have questions or would like to know when this process is complete.

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WorkStudy/WorkAssist

There are many opportunities available for on-campus jobs, available through Handshake.

The Honors Office also employs several students as front desk staff, helping maintain and organize the office. We also place students out to the Women’s Studies and Resource Center, the Watson College of Education, and other departments as work-study positions sponsored through Honors.

Students must be in good standing to work in the Honors Office (appropriate GPA, making progress through the honors curriculum). When positions open in the Honors Office, staff will send out an email call for applicants.

IV.ResidenceLife:HonorsHouseandOtherHonorsHousing

FirstYear

All first-year honors students live together in the Honors Commons at Cornerstone. Cornerstone Hall is part of a dynamic residence area known as Tri-House, bordered by Innovation House and Keystone House. Living together is a key part of building community, and the friends you make in the honors living-learning community as a freshman may very well stick with you through your senior year and beyond.

Cornerstone, like all UNCW residence halls, comes equipped with many amenities: study rooms and lounges on each floor, kitchens, laundry rooms, wi-fi, etc. Rooms are double-occupancy (sometimes triple-occupancy in the cases of very large rooms), organized into “pods” that each share a communal bathroom. Honors residence assistants (RAs) reside with students, conducting programs to build community and helping first-years adjust to university life. Honors students will also live and socialize with students outside of the College, as not all floors of Cornerstone Hall are dedicated to honors students.

UpperclassmanLiving

Many sophomore students choose to live in a dedicated Honors section of the Seahawk Crossing, which is an apartment-style residence area behind Innovation House.

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V.Co-CurricularActivities

Honors Scholars are encouraged to take advantage of as many campus and community activities as possible to enrich their learning.

CulturalandCo-CurricularActivities

As a first-year Honors student, you must participate in and report on cultural events and activities (3 in the fall) to remain in good standing in Honors. This will be discussed in your HON 110 seminar.

Honors students are usually some of the most involved on campus. They tend to join and lead student organizations (even founding some themselves) and attend community events ranging from local concerts to museums to the aquarium.

Attendcommunityartseventsfree:

Honors purchases tickets to many local cultural attractions, from the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra to comedy shows and plays at Thalian Hall. Stop by the office at any time to check what tickets we have available and claim yours for free.

You can learn more about cultural events, community events, and student organizations with these pages:

• The Current Honors Students webpage / https://uncw.edu/honors/info/student-life/students.html • Arts at UNCW / https://uncw.edu/arts/index.html • encore magazine events calendar / http://www.encorepub.com/calendar/ • UNCW Campus Activities and Involvement Center / https://uncw.edu/activities/ • WaveLink (Student Organization Directory) / https://uncw.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations

If you want to receive credit for attending a cultural event, make sure to clear the event with your HON 110 instructor first.

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ServiceActivities

In the fall semester of the first year, Honors Scholars are required to participate in two service activities for a minimum duration of 4 hours total. This will be discussed in your Honors 110 first year seminar. We hope that you will continue in the spring semester and beyond.

You can learn more about cultural events, community events, and student organizations with these pages:

• The Current Honors Students webpage / https://uncw.edu/honors/info/student-life/students.html

• UNCW Office of Student Leadership and Engagement / https://uncw.edu/osle/

If you wish to propose your own volunteer experience or service project for credit, make sure to clear it with your HON 110 instructor first.

VI.StudentResearch,Travel,andConferences

Conferences

When you undertake research, you’ll most likely present your results—whether at a regional conference, a national conference in your discipline, an Honors conference, a professional meeting, a symposium, etc.

Both the North Carolina Colleges and Universities and the members of the Colonial Athletic Association sponsor annual undergraduate research symposia. In addition, students are often invited to attend honors conferences sponsored by the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Southern Regional Honors Council, and the North Carolina Honors Association.

Honorsfrequentlyarrangesgrouptravelforstudentstoattendtheseconferences.

Check the Honors Conferences webpage (https://uncw.edu/honors/academics/honorsconferences.html) for upcoming conference dates and contact us at honors@uncw.edu if you are interested in presenting at or attending these events.

Your professors and academic departments are also great sources of information to learn about conferences related to your major and research areas. Ask them about it.

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Research

Honors students are encouraged to get involved with research early. You may take an HON 191 class to learn more, begin working in a professor’s lab, or take a Directed Independent Study course.

The Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF) works closely with Honors and supervises all undergraduate research. Their website is full of helpful pages regarding research:

• Steps for getting involved in undergraduate research • Opportunities for presenting research on-campus • How to get funding for your research

Visit https://uncw.edu/csurf/getinvolved.html to get started.

FYREProgram—Researchasafirst-yearstudent

In Spring 2019, SURCA launched a program called the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE). First-year students can apply to the program and be matched with a faculty member conducting research in a similar area. The first-year students receive a one-hour honors course credit and a stipend for their participation, and each participant is expected to present their research findings at the CSURF Spring Showcase of Student Research and Creativity.

Contact us at honors@uncw.edu if you are interested in learning more about the FYRE program.

SURCAProgram—Getpaidtodoresearch

The Spring and Summer Undergraduate Research and Creativity Awards (SURCA) is a program partnership of CSURF and ETEAL (Experiencing Transformative Education through Applied Learning). SURCA provides funding to support undergraduate students engaged in research, creative scholarship, or other independent academic work outside of their courses.

Any undergraduate/faculty member team can apply for a SURCA grant of up to $5,000. Frequently, this grant is used to pay student researchers an hourly wage for their research work outside of their courses. The grant can also be used for supplies.

https://uncw.edu/eteal/initiatives/surca.html

FundingResearch/ConferenceTravel

Presenting research has the potential to bring students to conferences across the country and even the world—but such travel can be expensive. The CSURF Research and Travel Awards provide up to $1000 in assistance for undergraduates to travel to professional conferences. Students must be listed in the conference program as authors or co-authors and must have a faculty sponsor. Visit https://uncw.edu/csurf/travelawards.html to learn more.

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StudyAbroad

One of the key benefits of Honors membership is access to exclusive study abroad experiences. We have 4-5 Honors international opportunities each semester. Many of them are classes that take place on campus at UNCW but have a short-term trip, usually a week or so, before or after the semester or during spring break.

TheHonorsSemesterAbroadinSwansea

The flagship Honors study abroad experience is spending a semester at the University of Swansea in Wales. Experience a transformative semester with fellow honors students, UNCW students, and undergraduates from around the world at one of the UK’s premiere universities.

You can learn more on the UNCW Education Abroad webpage.

HonorsTrips

During fall break and spring break, Honors organizes domestic trips.

FallBreakLyceum

Every fall, the cohort of first-year students has the opportunity to embark together on a fall break lyceum trip. Usually, this trip is to Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to see the sights, visit museums, take tours, and spend plenty of free time exploring the nation’s capital.

SpringBreak

Usually, HON 121 courses offered in the spring will fulfill their “Explorations Beyond the Classroom” component by embarking on a co-curricular spring break trip. For example, the 2019 class of HON 121: Barrier Islands Ecology traveled to spend the week on Bald Head Island to put their learning into practice.

We’ve also taken just-for-fun trips in the past. In spring 2019, a handful of students accompanied Dr. Bingham and Dr. Grove on a week-long trip to Asheville, NC to experience the culture and enjoy the mountains.

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VII.HonorsGlobalCitizenRecognition

The Honors Global Citizen Recognition is an option for students completing University or Departmental Honors that encourages students to make global discoveries on campus and abroad. It is supported by a partnership between the Office of International Programs and the Honors College. To qualify for this distinction, students must develop an honors project that shows active engagement with global issues, such as an increased awareness of international issues, understanding of global interdependence, or demonstration of global citizenship. In addition, students must earn at least 6 student credit hours in a UNCW-approved education abroad program, complete at least the 202 level, or equivalent, of a foreign language with a C or better grade, complete at least one HON seminar with global content, and complete nine additional hours of 3-credit hour courses with global content with a C or better in each. More information is on the Honors website. https://uncw.edu/honors/academics/international.html

VIII.SocialActivities

Honors faculty, staff, and students put together many different social events every year, ranging from spaghetti dinners to symphony outings to camping trips and more. Here are a few of our favorite flagship events, but you can keep up with the full list by following us on Facebook or Instagram or checking the Honors Events page (https://uncw.edu/honors/events.html).

PizzaWithProfessors

At least once a semester, professors and students come together in the Honors lounge to eat pizza and hang out. The events are usually themed by discipline—pizza with science professors, pizza with arts and humanities professors, etc.

AnnualHonorsTea

Every September during the Family & Alumni Weekend, we host a little reception for current students, Honors alumni, faculty, staff, and other friends of Honors.

SpringSpeaker

Each spring, Honors sponsors a distinguished speaker to give a lecture in Lumina Theater in February. Honors students have the opportunity to meet with this guest, have dinner with them, and otherwise learn more about the guest’s area of expertise.

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IX.HonorsStudentOrganizations

HonorsScholarsAssociation

The community of honors scholars has a distinctive place not just in the classroom, but in its own student organization: the Honors Scholars Association. This is a student-run group officially recognized by the student government association at UNCW with its own constitution and elected officers. The HSA organizes activities, service projects, and social events. Non-honors students can join as well.

View the Honors website for the latest updates on officers and news.

Visit Wavelink to learn more.

https://uncw.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/honorsscholarsassociation

HonorsStudentMediaBoard

The Honors Student Media Board publishes Second Story Journal, the creative arts journal of the UNCW Honors College, and Periplus, the Honors newsletter (now online at www.periplusuncw.org). They also help run the Honors social media and create videography and other media. Contact the editors to get involved:

Martina Litty

Editor-in-Chief of Second Story mrl4530@uncw.edu

Sidney Wollmuth

Editor-in-Chief of Periplus ssw8037@uncw.edu

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X.AdditionalInfo

For information concerning academic programs, offerings, and regulations, please see the University of North Carolina Wilmington Undergraduate Catalogue 2019-2020 edition. The course catalogue is available on the web under the publications section of the current student page of the UNCW website.

For information about student life, rules for conduct and other official matters, see the UNCW Code of Student Life, 2019-2020 edition. The Code of Student Life is available on the web under the publications section of the current student page of the UNCW website.

For information about the requirements and procedures for completing departmental honors, please consult the Departmental Honors FAQ website or the Departmental Honors Handbook. See: https://uncw.edu/honors/academics/departmental-honors/resources.html

Visit the Honors Scholars College on the Web at http://www.uncw.edu/honors/

XI.FrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutHonors

Whatarehonorsclasseslike?

All honors classes are small (no more than 20 students) allowing for greater discussion and interaction. The courses are designed to allow students to take responsibility for their own learning, to work collaboratively, and to encourage experiential learning. All are intended to foster creative and critical thinking skills. Active participation and shared inquiry are encouraged.

Arehonorscoursesharderthanregularuniversitycourses?

Honors courses are not intended to be harder than regular courses just for the sake of being harder, but they challenge students. You are more likely to practice critical thinking skills, engage in abstraction and synthesis, and work independently. Perhaps the instructor will go into more depth or use more primary sources. We advise the instructors that honors courses should be designed to challenge and that the students can be counted on to actively participate in class each day. For these reasons, they may be viewed as harder than "regular" courses by non-honors students. However, many honors students note that they enjoy the honors class format more than regular classes.

Willmygradesdropasaresultoftakinghonorscourses?

Experience indicates that the answer is no. Actually, many students do their best work in honors courses. Your grades, of course, depend on your own motivation, study habits and interest.

Isthereadifferentgradingscaleinhonorscourses?

There is no predetermined curve in honors classes (or any classes). Theoretically it is possible for all students in an honors course to earn a grade of A. Honors courses count the same as all other courses in calculating a student’s grade point average (GPA). That is, they are not weighted in determining the GPA.

DoIhavetodoallfouryearsoftheprogram?

In order to graduate with University Honors, a student must complete the required hours of honors sections and seminars and departmental honors. Or, a student may enter the program as a junior/senior, complete the thesis project only, and graduate with Departmental Honors only.

HowdoIgetreadyfordepartmentalhonors?

You should start to think about departmental honors early in your college career and begin talking with faculty members about their work and your interests. Learn from other students about the entry process, talk to your honors academic advisor, and get to know the faculty in your major. Although the project is usually undertaken in the senior year, you should

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begin to prepare well before that. In order to prepare, many students do a directed independent study (491 and, in some majors, 291) course to investigate a topic or perhaps work closely with a professor in a lab or research setting. Watch for workshops on “Preparing for Departmental Honors” each semester. Also consider taking HON 191 your first year.

WhatdoIhavetodotoremaininthe4-yearprogram?Whatis“goodstanding”?

To maintain good standing in the Honors College, a student must earn a GPA of at least 3.3 at the completion of 27 hours (or 2 semesters) and reach a GPA of 3.5 or higher at the completion of 58 hours and thereafter. Students must also be making progress on their Honors course requirements. In the senior year, students must be enrolled in 499. It is to a student’s advantage to complete all the university honors sections and honors seminar requirements in the first two years, but a student may use later years to finish honors requirements if necessary. In the first year, all required cultural and service activities must be completed.

Good standing is required for a student to register for honors sections and seminars, to receive priority registration, to be awarded honors merit scholarships (including renewal of an honors merit scholarship), and to obtain honors tickets for cultural events.

Howismyhonorsworkformallyrecognized?

All honors courses and seminars are indicated as honors on your transcript. When students complete all required hours of honors seminars and honors university studies sections, they are recognized with a certificate and a UNCW Honors Scholar pin. When students also complete the 499 project requirements, they graduate with University Honors and honors in the major. This is noted on the transcript, diploma, and in the graduation program. They also receive a medallion that they wear to graduation.

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XII.ChecklisttoGraduatewithUniversityHonors

(1) Complete at least 12 credit hours of university studies courses honors sections.*

You may take more than 12 hours. You may substitute an honors contracted course for 3 of these hours.

(2) Complete 6 credits of "Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars" (HON 110 and HON 210/211/212)*. You may take an additional HON 210/211/212 seminar to substitute for 3 hours of honors university studies requirements. You may take more than 6 credits.

(3) Complete 2 credits of Honors Enrichment Seminar (HON 120 or 121 or 191 or NSG 112)*

You may take additional HON 120/121/191 or NSG 112 as elective hours toward graduation; that is, you may take more than 2 credits.

(4) Complete at least 3 additional hours of Honors credit.

Additional ways to earn Honors hours include: additional HON seminars (including HON 191), additional Honors sections of university studies, study abroad semester or year, National Student Exchange, or sections of upper-level courses (e.g. not in university studies), Honors contract class in major or minor, 400/500 cross-listed courses if completing the graduate level work, graduate level coursework, additional Honors project in second major.

(5) Maintain academic eligibility:

At the completion of 27 credit hours at UNCW, an overall grade point average of 3.30 or higher in all coursework is required. An overall grade point average of 3.50 or higher must be established by the completion of 58 credit-hours and maintained thereafter.

(6) Earn a minimum of a C (2.00) in all honors work (B or 3.00 in 499 and honors contract courses) and have a 3.00 overall GPA in all honors curriculum coursework. If a student earns a grade below a C in an honors university studies course, the grade may count toward that student’s university studies requirements but not toward his or her Honors requirements. If that student wishes to complete the Honors requirements for University Honors, he or she must take an additional Honors university studies course and earn no lower than a C. Students earning below a C in HON 210/211/212 or HON 120/121 must take additional seminars, respectively, and earn no lower than a C.

(7) Complete requirements for Departmental Honors

The requirements for Departmental Honors are determined by the academic departments, and always include a 6-credit senior honors project. Interdisciplinary Honors (499) is also an option.

*Note:studentsenteringastransferstudents,sophomoresorsecondsemesterfreshmencompleteHON 210/211/212(3creditclass),twocredithoursofHON120/121,atleast9hoursofhonorsuniversitystudies, and3additionalhonorshoursorcredits.TheyalsocompleteDepartmentalHonors.