Santa Clara University

UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

Director: William S. Greenwalt

The University Honors Program provides Santa Clara’s most able students with intellectual opportunities based in small, seminar-style classes. With no more than 17 students each, seminars emphasize analytical rigor, effective expression, and interaction among professors and students. In the classroom and elsewhere on campus, students enjoy a level of collaboration exceptional even at Santa Clara.

The University Honors Program comes in two levels. The first is usually by invitation to admitted freshmen and includes a curriculum of 10 courses. Students who have established a GPA of 3.65 after completing 32 units of study at Santa Clara may apply for admission to Level II. Six courses are required for students admitted at this level.

The course of study combines broadly based, liberal learning with depth of specialization in a major field. Honors program classes are designed to fit within the curricula of the humanities, natural and social sciences, business, and engineering. Possible majors include every undergraduate field in the University.

LOWER-DIVISON COURSES

11A. and 12A. Cultures and Ideas I and II
A two-course sequence focusing on a major theme in human experience and culture over a significant period of time. Courses emphasize either broad global interconnections or the construction of Western culture in its global context. (4 units each quarter)

ENGL 1H. and 2H. Critical Thinking and Writing I and II
A two-course, themed sequence for Honors students, featuring study and practice of academic discourse, with emphasis on critical reading and writing, composing processes, and rhetorical situation. The second course will feature more advanced study and practice of academic discourse, with additional emphasis on information literacy and skills related to developing and organizing longer and more complex documents. Themes may address cultural comparisons, science and society, and other topics. (4 units each quarter)

20. Difficult Dialogues
Freshman seminar devoted to the analysis from different perspectives of some issue, text, or problem in the area of a professor’s expertise. This course will hone critical thinking skills with an eye to future research. (4 units)

UPPER-DIVISION COURSES

100. Honors Seminar
An advanced seminar usually on an interdisciplinary topic. May be repeated for credit when topic changes. Enrollment limited to students in the University Honors Program. (5 units)

101. Fellowship Preparation
A seminar for students interested in preparing for major fellowship competition (Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, etc.). Open to freshmen and sophomores with permission of the instructor. (2 units)

199. Honors Program Thesis
Course credit for thesis or culminating project of the University Honors Program. Enrollment limited to students in the University Honors Program. (1 unit)

Note: The program also offers special courses and sections, at both the lower- and upper-division levels, through specific departments such as biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, philosophy, political science, and religious studies. There is an Honors Contract Course option whereby students may take a non-Honors course for Honors credit with approval from the director.