Honors Program

• Problem Solving — Take one honors course in problem solving through either the math or physics departments or complete calculus II.
• Non-English Language — Take one year (two semesters) of any non-English language.
• Honors Electives — Take any three honors elective courses. Honors electives usually fulfill BW general education requirements. Honors option research projects in the major can substitute for honors electives.
• Skills Track — Take one year (two semesters) of courses in one of the following areas:
  • Intermediate/advanced non-English language (these are in addition to the one-year requirement that every student completes; must be in the same non-English language)
  • Statistics
  • Data programming
• Honors Thesis — Complete a thesis/senior project in your major area of study.

General Problem Solving

In his book, The Road Ahead, Bill Gates wrote, "More than ever, an education that emphasizes general problem-solving skills will be important." The entire purpose of this course is to develop the students' general problem-solving ability. Students will work both individually and in teams to solve some of the most fun and challenging problems concocted by the human brain. The topics from which the problems were chosen include operations research, geometry, probability, risk management, physics, pattern recognition and logic.

Lovers, Tricksters, and the invention of Modern Mythology

A study of the myths of Orpheus and Prometheus and of the medieval legend of Faust. The class will examine various appearances of these figures from ancient times to the present, seeking to understand how traditional stories are recreated in relation to the dreams and fears of later ages. These three stories are crucial to the invention of modern mythology since the Romantic period, one preoccupied with human creative power rather than the power of the gods.

Honors Personal Finance

This course studies the principles of personal finance with an emphasis on personal taxes, cash and savings instruments, consumer loans, stock and bond investments, real estate, insurance, and retirement planning.

Radicals and Reformers

In this class, students will play two different Reacting to the Past games. In the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, students will take on roles as 17th-century colonists and recent immigrants to Boston as they determine whether Anne Hutchinson, who has publicly countered church and state authority, is guilty and should be banished. In Greenwich Village, 1913, students will take on roles as suffragists, labor leaders, and Bohemians as they decide whether, as Greenwich Village residents, they want to support a major march for suffrage or for labor. Throughout the class, students will be actively engaged in reading, research, writing, discussion, and presenting their views. Major assignments will include writing two formal speeches, character descriptions, an article, and a final critical reflection.

Survey of American Art

Survey the main artistic trends in American painting, sculpture, and architecture from the
colonial era to 1945. Along the way, you'll explore Spanish colonial architecture, the classical buildings of Washington, D.C., Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the dizzying skyscrapers of Chicago and New York, and the unique architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. You'll also discover the majestic landscape paintings of Niagara Falls and the Rocky Mountains, the seascapes of Winslow Homer, the palettes of American Impressionism, and the mysterious cityscapes of Edward Hopper. The highly admired collection of American art at the Cleveland Museum of Art will be highlighted, as well the architecture of Cleveland.

Supportive Community: We start building community as soon as first-year students arrive for the honors program welcome. Upper class student leaders help first-year honors students shake off their nerves and start making new friendships.

Exceptional Educational Experiences: Honors students take unique general education courses, innovative seminars, and experiential learning courses. We also provide a dynamic collection of honors colloquia sessions where we bring alumni and other guests to talk about their careers and topics of interest like college student finances, leadership, mental health or preparing for graduate school.

Enhanced Credentials: Students add a competitive edge to their graduate school and employment applications with their honors program membership and involvement.

Financial Assistance: The honors program helps students achieve their goals and expand their horizons by providing funding assistance for study abroad, alternative break service trips, and other educational and leadership-building experiences.

Priority Course Registration Times: Honors students register before non-honors students to ensure they register for the courses they need.

Yes, the honors program prepares students with the skills needed to address the complex problems facing our communities and world. To that end, the honors curriculum assists students in developing transferable skills such as independent thinking and research. These outcomes encourage students to understand multiple perspectives, conduct serious investigations into important questions and develop their own well-informed voices.

Additionally, students will select one of three focused areas of skill development to enhance their versatility and career readiness - study of a non-English language and culture outside of the U.S., data programming or statistics. These skills, representing the humanities, STEM, and social sciences, ensure that all honors program graduates leave BW ready to live meaningful lives, provide substantial value to organizations and continue their education at the most distinguished institutions.

The honors program does require a somewhat more rigorous core curriculum than that required of the non-honors BW student, as noted above. In terms of the experience in honors courses, there is no reason to believe that these courses will be "harder" than non-honors. Instead, honors courses are of a different nature than non-honors. They are intended to be interdisciplinary explorations of specific topics and are designed to help students make connections between theoretical ideas and real-world experiences. Additionally, what you get in honors courses that is different is a more engaged and well-prepared group of classmates and thus a higher level of discussion about and comprehension of the material in the class. Honors classes do not necessarily involve longer papers, harder reading, more homework, etc. than non-honors courses.

The honors requirements overlap with core or general education requirements so that you can take honors courses that fulfill the areas of core that you need. Students can also utilize honors option projects in courses in their major as a substitute for taking honors core courses. While most honors courses will not fulfill requirements in your major, students typically do not have a difficult time making room in their schedules for honors as well as their major(s) and minor(s).

Absolutely. Conservatory students are well-represented in the honors program. Conservatory students should work closely with their honors program advisor to find ways to consistently make progress on honors requirements while also completing their degree in the Conservatory. Conservatory students often take advantage of completing honors option projects in their major courses to reduce the need for honors electives.

The honors program curriculum culminates in a senior thesis that allows students to select a topic of interest and engage in extensive research with a faculty mentor. Honors theses range from traditional laboratory research or in-depth studies of authors or texts, to writing creative works like novellas, plays and musical compositions, to constructing case-studies, business plans or web-portfolios. Ultimately, the thesis is a "product" that students can use to market themselves to graduate programs or employment opportunities.

Yes, the Honors Leadership Board (HLB) oversees the 10-session Honors Colloquia Series every semester, which brings students together to discuss careers and life skills with alumni and BW professionals. HLB hosts both virtual and in-person events to build community and bring the honors experience outside the classroom.

Students also serve in leadership roles in the honors first-year experience courses and on the Honors and Scholars Advisory Council.

Merit scholarships at BW are not tied to participation in the honors program. However, honors does have an endowed fund that allows us to help in making opportunities possible for students during their BW experience. Honors students can apply for the following funded activities:

• Study abroad - up to $1,500
• Alternative Break service trips - Honors will cover the full cost
• Travel to conferences to present research or creative work - up to $500
• Research supplies - up to $500

We encourage all students who meet the qualifications for the honors program to apply for admission. Students who are interested in the honors program and may require accommodations are encouraged to contact us directly at honors@bw.edu.

The BW Honors Program works with all of our students to meet their educational needs and to achieve their academic and personal potential. The BW Office of Accessible Education collaborates with students, faculty and staff to help create equitable, inclusive educational environments for qualified students with disabilities by ensuring equal access to all University programs, services and activities - including those of the honors program.

We'd love to hear from you! You can reach us at honors@bw.edu.