Renard Doneskey, Director
The mission of Southwestern Adventist University's Honors Program is to enrich educational opportunities for high-achieving students and to increase cultural appreciation.
Entering freshmen with a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5 or an SAT composite score (critical reading and math) of at least 1130 (or a minimum ACT composite score of at least 24) are invited to apply for admission to the Honors Program. Currently enrolled SWAU students and transfer students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 may apply for admission to the Honors Program. Upon acceptance into the Honors Program a student will be designated an Honors Student. In order to remain in the Honors Program as an Honors Student, a student must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.4.
In order to earn the designation Honors Graduate upon completing a bachelor's degree, an Honors Student must fulfill the following requirements:
This course focuses on individual writing processes, the production of quality expository and argumentative prose for a variety of purposes and audiences, and the introduction of information literacy skills. Students must enroll in a corresponding Writing Lab (ENGL 121L), while online students will complete the lab work within their online course.
An introduction to the Southwestern Honors Program. The course will examine the role of knowledge, faith, and service in the life of the educated Christian. The course will include a service project. Required in the freshman or sophomore year for all Southwestern Honors students. This course partially satisfies general education requirements for literature. Students taking this course should not take a general education literature course.
A study of key issues, events, and transformations that form the basis for pre-modern world civilizations and established the foundations for early modern and modern world history, including the Agricultural Revolution, the development of Hebrew monotheism, classical Greek social ideas, ancient China and India, the rise and fall of the Roman empire, early empires in the Americas, and medieval Europe. This course partially satisfies general education requirements for history. Students taking this course should not take HIST 225, World Civilizations I.
As the human population continues to grow, the question of sustainability becomes ever more pressing. This course will provide the student with the tools to think critically about the environment and how human decisions and activities influence the quality of our lives and the other creatures we share the earth with. We will explore sustainability at the local and global level. In the classroom, we will engage in lectures and debates about environmental and sustainability issues. Lab activities will introduce students to a variety of subjects related to the environment and sustainability (Also taught as BIOL 245). Lab fee.
A course emphasizing a particular topic approached through travel and on-site visits to historical, cultural, and artistic locations associated with the specified topic. Topics may vary. Depending on the topic, the class may be applied to a specific general education requirement, or, if applicable, to a specific academic department requirement. The student may take a combination of HNRS 275 and/or 375 for up to a total of 6 hours if the topics vary.
Permission of the Honors Committee
A course emphasizing a particular topic approached through travel and on-site visits to historical, cultural, and artistic locations associated with the specified topic. Topics may vary. Depending on the topic, the class may be applied to a specific general education requirement, or, if applicable, to a specific academic department requirement. The student may take a combination of HNRS 276 and/or 376 for up to a total of 6 hours if the topics vary.
Permission of the Honors Committee
Designed for the student who wishes to do independent study or research or for the teaching of a course not routinely offered. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.
Approval by the Honors Program Director
Provides academic departments an opportunity to offer courses in specialized or experimental areas, either lower or upper division, not listed in the undergraduate Bulletin. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.
Approval by the Honors Program Director
In this course, the honors student will prepare the honors thesis proposal and an annotated bibliography. Discussion will focus on research methods and professional development.
History of Political Thought is a study of political thinking and key political philosophers in history, particularly those that have most profoundly influenced the political culture and institutions of our own continent. It is an introductory survey of political ideas, addressing perennial issues of human society, leadership, power, rights, and government.
The course explores major world views and religious traditions, beliefs, and practices. Each religion will be examined with regard to basic human problems along with proposed solutions. From a Christian perspective, this class seeks to discover common ground and challenges between these major world religions and to encourage respect for diverse beliefs and practices. This course requires research and writing a major paper (Also taught as RELT 325). This course partially satisfies general education requirements for religion.
A course emphasizing a particular topic approached through travel and on-site visits to historical, cultural, and artistic locations outside of North America associated with the specified topic. In addition, the student will submit a research project as directed by the instructor. Topics may vary. Depending on the topic, the class may be applied to a specific general education requirement, or, if applicable, to a specific academic department requirement. The student may take a combination of HNRS 376 for up to a total of 6 hours if the topics vary.
Permission of the Honors Committee
A course emphasizing a particular topic approached through travel and on-site visits to historical, cultural, and artistic locations in North America associated with the specified topic. In addition, the student will submit a research project as directed by the instructor. Topics may vary. Depending on the topic, the classs may be applied to a specific general education requirement, or, if applicable, to a specified department requirement. The student may repeat HNRS 376 for a total of 6 hours if the topics vary.
Through directed readings and scholarship, the honors student begins the honors thesis.
The Honors student completes the research and writing of the honors thesis under the direction of the honors director and an academic department faculty mentor. Coursework includes a major seminar presentation.
Designed for the student who wishes to do independent study or research or for the teaching of a course not routinely offered. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.
Approval by the Honors Program Director
Provides academic departments an opportunity to offer courses in specialized or experimental areas, either lower or upper division, not listed in the undergraduate Bulletin. Student may be allowed to repeat the course for credit.
Approval by the Honors Program Director
