Honors Projects
In addition to the honors sections of core courses offered at CSI, the college also provides an option for students to “make” any existing course an honors course. Working with an individual instructor, with approval by the Honors Program Director, a student can augment the course curriculum by extending the opportunities for advancement beyond the parameters established by the syllabus. This is done through the honors contract.
The Honors Program director reviews all project contracts. The intention is to see that students are doing comparable work throughout the Program; that students are fully aware of what the contracts specify; that students have indeed negotiated with an Honors Faculty Supervisor; and that the contracts are thorough, providing detail.
Contract forms may be obtained from the Honors Program Director and must be submitted by the third week of the applicable semester.
The intention of the contracted project should be to allow a student to learn through guided discovery, and the thrust of the work should be substantive in nature.
Recent honors projects have included:
- The scanning and copying of a historical journal created by a Paiute Shaman in the early 1900s (ANTH 102)
- Volunteering at an elementary school music class (MUSI 100)
- Teach basic ecological principles for the Twin Falls PalStep Enrichment Program (BIOL 209)
- Organize and implement a Thanksgiving food drive (PHYE 155)
As well as numerous papers, presentations, and readings.
Upon successful completion of the honors agreement, a student will be awarded honors credit for the course which will be indicated with an “H” on their transcript.
This distinction is separate from the grade given for the class. For example, a student may earn an A for the class, but fail to complete (satisfactorily) the Honors project. In this case, the “H” should be withheld, but the A given. (Many other scenarios are imaginable.)
Loss of an “H” does not threaten the student’s GPA, class advancement, or graduation requirements; it does, however, affect the student’s standing into the Honors Program which may result in loss of scholarship money, Honors Program placement, and so on.
Accumulation of honors credits through contracts will count toward the 15 credits needed for special distinctions on diplomas and transcripts.