An Honors Course Agreement allows a student to take a non-Honors course for Honors course credit by enhancing the experience with components that provide additional rigor, increased independence, and/or greater depth of study. Course Agreements are developed in consultation between the student and the course instructor. When they have agreed upon the terms, the student will submit an online form to the Lewis Honors College that outlines any additional or alternative course components and articulates how that additional/alternative work makes the course Honors-worthy and relevant to the student’s interests and/or course of study. In alignment with best practices in Honors education, Honors coursework involves not simply “more” or “harder” work, but “measurably broader, deeper, or more complex learning experiences” (NCHC). Honors course agreements should invite students to be more independently responsible for their own learning. For instance, if the regular course requires exams, the Honors Course Agreement could instead require independent papers. Particular details will vary by course level, discipline, and faculty/student interest.
Course Agreement
What is a Course Agreement?
Eligible Students
Second, third and fourth year Honors students are welcome to seek approval for an Honors Course Agreement. First-year Honors students are typically not approved for an Honors Course Agreement, except by special permission of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Eligible Courses
The Course Agreement process may be used to convert any 200-level or above regular course, including Education Abroad courses. In order to qualify, courses must count for a minimum of three credit hours.
Course Content
Honors courses are designed to foster deeper, broader, or more advanced inquiry than general courses. The alternative activities, assignments or projects should foster a deeper exploration and understanding of the general course content.
Examples of alternative Course Agreement content or assignments could include:
- researching/writing an additional scholarly paper
- additional lab work or an enhanced project with accompanying readings and discussion
- completing an additional set of challenging problems or laboratory experiments
- participation in additional service activities or field experience with accompanying report/analysis
- attendance in outside of classroom enrichment activities or special events with accompanying analysis