Honors College Courses

The Honors College offers special classes and seminars just for its members. There are also Honors sections of regular courses available. Regularly offered Honors courses include:

HONR 100: Honors Forum [2 credits]
This course introduces students to the academic method and tradition and to the pursuit of excellence through Honors education. Students interact with campus researchers and creative artists, participate in service learning and leadership development, gain research and study skills applicable to all their future academic endeavors, and reflect upon what it means to be a full member of an academic community. Note: This course is required of all Honors College students in their first fall semester.

HONR 210: The Great Books I (AH). [3 credits]
An introduction to the great books of world literature, religion, philosophy, history, and science from ancient times to the present day. The course will include readings from such works as the Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, Confucius, Homer, Plato, Dante, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare.

HONR 211: The Great Books II (AH). [3 credits]
A second semester course on the great books of world literature, religion, philosophy, history, and science. The course will include readings from such authors as MoliËre, Swift, Basho, Darwin, Tolstoy, Dickinson, and selected modern writers. Although this course continues work begun in HONR 210, it is designed so that students can easily enter HONR 211 without having taken HONR 210.

HONR 220: Honors Leadership Seminar. [3 credits]
This seminar explores the relationship between leadership and responsibility. Reading assignments will be drawn from a broad spectrum of social science disciplines, such as psychology, history, ethics and political science. The course will combine the academic rigor of an honors seminar with an emphasis on the writing and communication skills that are essential to leadership, including exposition, argumentation, debate and public presentation. In addition, the course will offer practical training in leadership so that students may competently consider the implications of assuming leadership roles at UMBC and in their future careers.

HONR 300: General Honors Seminar [3 credits]
A significant interdisciplinary theme will be examined under the direction of a UMBC faculty member or an expert guest instructor. Seminar topics will vary from semester to semester. Students may repeat this course for credit. Prerequisite: Membership in The Honors College or permission of the college and the instructor.

HONR 390: Reflections on Community Service [3-4 credits]
This course provides opportunities for reflection on the principles and techniques of community service. It introduces students to basic methods of community service, offers background in the cultural, political, and social contexts of community service, and serves as a forum for discussion of issues surrounding civic engagement and social responsibility. Students apply concepts and skills they develop to actual experiences in community service. Permission required from the Shriver Center and The Honors College. Students must first make arrangements with the Shriver Center prior to asking for instructor permission.

HONR 400: Honors Independent Study [1-4 credits]
Independent study or research under the direct guidance of an Honors College faculty mentor. Course guidelines are available in The Honors College. This course is repeatable for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of The Honors College course director.

HONR 410: Honors Internship [3 credits]
This course offers academic credit for an internship through the Shriver Center. Students will earn three credits for performing 8-10 hours per week of supervised tasks for a business, government, or non-profit agency. Internships are individually arranged with the sponsoring agency. This course is repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of the Shriver Center and The Honors College. Students must first visit the Shriver Center to setup the internship prior to getting Honors College permission.

HONR 490: Senior Honors Project [3-4 credits]
Senior independent work under the direct guidance of an Honors College faculty mentor. A formal research paper, an extended essay, a report of experimental research, a performance or other creative effort that represents the outcome of an independent project by a member of The Honors College. Permission to register will be granted after the student submits a written statement describing the proposed Honors project, which is then approved and signed by The Honors College course director. Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of The Honors College.