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Welcome
Message from the Director
Welcome to the exciting world of Honors! At the time I am writing this message, the VSU Honors Program, as we have known it for more than 30 years, is undergoing major changes and transitioning into an Honors College. We are thrilled to announce that in the fall of 2011, we are planning on accepting the first class of the new College!
As the Program that preceded it, the new Honors College will foster the intellectual, social and cultural growth of its students through a variety of small classes designed especially to stimulate discussion and to create a close interaction between faculty and students. A multitude of activities will help the Honors students develop as better citizens and create tight links with the community.
In addition to the selection Honors seminars and Honors sections of some core courses, which were at the heart of the old Honors Program, the Honors College will include Honors sections in the individual majors. Under the umbrella of the new College, the students will be able to pursue enhanced educational opportunities in their professional fields while at the same time keeping the spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry characteristic of Honors education. The Honors College is committed to fostering creative thinking, active learning, undergraduate research, global awareness, and community service.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our website. It lists the requirements, benefits, and activities of the Honors Program (for those accepted before fall 2011) and Honors College (starting in fall 2011), their schedule of events, scholarships, and many more. We invite all prospective students to fill out an application and join the College. Please come and see us in person in the Honors House. The faculty, staff, and students of the VSU Honors College look forward to meeting you and working with you. Thank you for visiting our website!
Dr. Ofélia R. Nikolova, Director ornikolova@valdosta.edu
Introduction
The Honors College offers interdisciplinary seminars, a special track of core curriculum courses, Honors sections in various majors, and opportunities for independent research that lead to a Certificate in University Honors. The curriculum of the College is designed to provide for the stimulation and challenge of academically motivated students so that they achieve their full academic potential, while at the same time providing recognition for such students' endeavors. The Honors College encourages connections between disciplines, interdisciplinary programs, innovative and unusual approaches to subject matter, strong undergraduate research and/or creative focus, and a reliance upon experiential learning and a global perspective that are fully integrated into the course content. The courses and seminars are designed to give all students in the Honors College a shared intellectual experience in order to develop a community of learners and to encourage a spirit of collegiality in the pursuit of knowledge, a spirit that is essential for intellectual growth and personal fulfillment.Offerings Include
1) Limited-enrollment classes in anthropology, art, biology, chemistry, economics, health, history, literature and languages, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. All of these courses satisfy core curriculum requirements, depending on the student's major.
2) Special honor seminars with an interdisciplinary focus. These explore a wide range of interesting, controversial, and timely issues. These seminars can satisfy core credit in area B of the core.
3) Honors Research Methods course (or a similar approved course, depending on the major) which satisfies a requirement in the major or college.
4) Honors sections in various majors.
5) A capstone experience including, but not limited to an Honors Thesis, Independent Study, Internship, or Study Abroad.
Fora, a series of discussions and lectures led by faculty, visiting scholars, and distinguished members of the community.
The Honors College also sponsors the Honors Student Association, open to all students members of the College. The Honors College is affiliated with the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Southern Regional Honors Council, and the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council. These affiliations afford wide opportunity for travel to academic conventions and conferences.
For more detailed information about the Honors College, please consult our Mission Statement.
fulfillment.Frequently Asked Questions
View the most Frequently Asked Questions of the Honors College.
