CALL FOR HONORS SEMINAR PROPOSALS

CALL FOR HONORS SEMINAR PROPOSALS

2009-2010

In order to meet the deadline for next year's time schedule, the Honors Program Committee seeks proposals by Monday, 3 November 2008, from faculty members interested in offering one of several one to three-credit honors program seminars during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Seminars are usually offered at the 400 level to junior and senior members of the University Honors Program. However, the Honors Program Committee shall also consider the possibility of offering one or two 200-level seminars, and proposals should indicate the intended course designation and preferred course level. In recent years, one-credit seminars also have been a welcome addition to the array of three-credit seminar offerings; several of these one-credit courses have been taught intensively once a week and completed by the midpoint of the semester. Honors program students must complete six upper-division honors course or seminar credits, of the 27 credits required to earn an honors certificate at graduation.

Seminar topics may be in any field, but should not require specialized skills or intensive prior course work in any one area. Topics must be suited to a discussion format, and the seminar should require students to explore subjects in substantial depth; course work may culminate, for example, with students preparing a term paper and/or project for presentation. Seminars have an enrollment limit of 15 students. Team-taught or interdisciplinary seminars are welcomed, and have proven especially popular with honors students. Seminars have examined such topics as issues of regional conflict, energy sources and policy, law as represented in literature and in film, the United Nations, development and independence in Africa, 1960s popular culture, youth politics, the graphic novel, modern China, and Hollywood versions of French films.

The department or departments offering these seminars will be provided $750 per credit hour to help offset costs. Please note, however, that any funding allocated in compensation to the instructor or direct support for course materials shall be arranged between the instructor and his or her department chair. If a seminar is team-taught by faculty from different departments, the $750 per credit hour will be allocated as agreed upon by the respective department chairs. Selection of courses will be made by the Honors Program Committee, after evaluation and comment by the Honors Student Advisory Board, and will be based on both quality and the need for a balanced menu of offerings.

Interested faculty members are asked to send a brief course description (including probable readings, types of assignments), proposed number of credits, intended course designation and level, and preference for spring or fall semester by e-mail to Stephan Flores, director of the University Honors Program (honors@uidaho.edu). A curriculum vitae is not required; however, past Honors Student Advisory Board members have commented upon how much they appreciate learning about a faculty member's range of experiences and expertise.

Approval by the appropriate departmental administrator(s) in the form of a memo or letter accompanying the proposal, including the department's planned allocation of funding, is required for each proposal before it can be considered by the Honors Program Committee. Deadline for receipt of proposals is Monday, 3 November 2008. The Honors Student Advisory Board and the Honors Program Committee meet soon thereafter to evaluate proposals.